FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Breakthrough Series players showed why they’re some of the most talented young student-athletes in the nation on Saturday morning, as they turned in a dominant performance on the backfields of JetBlue Park in 2021 WWBA Underclass World Championship play.
In fact, they were so dominant that they held their opponent hitless, as Kevari Thunderbird and Antonio Anderson combined for what was likely a no-hitter -- depending on the interpretation of one ground ball in the infield -- in the 4-0 victory.
Thunderbird, along with having one of the coolest last names you’ll find, brought his A-game over four innings, striking out seven batters and walking two. Anderson came in to clean up the final three frames, blowing away his opposition with a fastball that touched nearly 90 mph and facing the minimum while striking out six.
“I was locked in, focused,” Thunderbird said. “I was just playing my game and doing what I do best. I try and block out all of the noise and stay locked in and throw strikes.”
After retiring the side in order in the bottom of the first, Thunderbird worked out of a jam in the second after he issued two free passes with one out. The Chicago native and sophomore at Kenwood High School dug deep and struck out the next two batters to escape trouble. By the time the lefty came in to work the fourth inning, he was pitching with a two-run lead thanks to an RBI double from Dillon Head, who later scored on a sac fly off the bat of David Hogg II.
Thunderbird, who is warmly referred to as “T-Bird” by his teammates, did an exceptional job of mixing his fastball with a devastating breaking ball and even picked off a runner in the fourth who reached base via a hit-by-pitch.
“Thunderbird threw great,” said Breakthrough Series team skipper and former Major Leaguer Lou Collier. “He just got with us, and for him to settle in and do what he did and set the tone, it was awesome. And I think everyone just followed suit.”
The Breakthrough Series team plated another run in the fifth thanks to a two-out RBI single from Riverside High School (Va.) junior Kyle Johnson, giving the squad more than enough run support for their arms.
Anderson was nearly untouchable in his three innings of relief, as just two of the nine batters he faced put the ball in play.
“As soon as I went into the bullpen, I was locked in,” said the 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior, who has committed to Georgia Tech. “I blocked out all of the noise and just got in my mode. I was ready.”
The Atlanta native worked quickly and with purpose, saying that he has trained hard to build his velocity -- which will surely increase, as he is just 16 years old.
“I do a lot of long toss and try and work on my legs a lot,” Anderson said. “I try and use more arms than legs -- you can hurt your arm like that [if you don’t].”
The Breakthrough Series team added one more run for good measure in the sixth, as Head collected his third hit of the game (second of the extra-base variety) and later scored on a Hogg single.
“I felt great. I just stuck to my game, hit low-line drives, used my legs, created havoc on the basepaths -- just do what I do,” said the University of Michigan commit. “With [my teammates] on base, I really just get excited. I’m ready to put the ball in play, get the runs in and do my job.”
Head said it has been great to build bonds with his teammates, who come from all around the country, and share the field with contemporary talent.
“It’s like a brotherhood,” he said. “I haven’t had this much fun in a while. It’s just been great.”
Collier talked about how rewarding it is to be able to coach a team made up of 23 Black and Latino athletes, who were handpicked by MLB. All of the young men will be graduating in either 2023 or '24.
“I think it’s needed in our game,” Collier said of having diversity in the sport. “And I think these kids and parents need to know that there’s people that look like them and care about them and want to see them succeed.
“What I try to give is, first of all, just let them know, ‘Hey man, I love you, care about you, want to see you succeed. And baseball is what you love, I love it too. Let's roll together and learn together.’ I just try and give them what they can handle and let them know how serious I am about it.”
Collier added that this opportunity is more than just a few days at a Major League-caliber facility -- it’s an experience that can make an impact for years to come.
“This is not just about this weekend, this is about forever,” he said. “We’re connecting. So to see [the team bond] and to be able to come out here and win is just awesome.”
The Breakthrough Series team, which is now 2-1, plays again Saturday afternoon and faces another slate of games Sunday.