Dunedin 6
Southwest Miami 3
The Story:
Dunedin needed extra innings, but was able rally late to earn their first win of the Showcase.
The Big Inning:
After both teams failed to score in the first extra frame, the Falcons rallied in the ninth. With one out, Jaydee Marks brought in Tristan Morton on a sac fly. Brock Cunningham followed with a single, and then two more came across on a Marcus Brodil single and ensuing error.
Top Performers:
T. Vogel (DUN): 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K
B. Garcia (DUN): 2-3, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB
E. Sierra (SWMIA): 2-4, 2B, 2 R, SB
Westminster Christian 10
Gainesville 8
The Story:
In a game with no shortage of offense, Westminster Christian was able to come back from a 6-2 deficit to win their second game of the week.
The Big Inning:
The Warriors scored six runs in the fourth inning thanks to five hits and an error. Richard Benitez, RJ Ibanez, and Danny Perez x2 each recorded an RBI. Two additional runs were scored when a single from Bruno Ghsiellini was misplayed in center.
Top Performers:
D. Perez (WC): 3-3, 3 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB
S. Cox (GHS): 2-3, R, 3 RBI, SB
Somerset Academy 3
Rock Bridge 2
The Story:
The Panthers scraped together a late run to take their first win of the FHSI showcase over Rock Bridge,
The Big Inning:
After Rock Bridge tied things up at two apiece in the sixth, Somerset responded with the game-winning run in the bottom half of the inning. Adrian Sanchez drew a leadoff walk, and moved to second on a walk to Danny Guinones. After a wild pitch put both men in scoring position, Bryan Loriga's sac fly scored Sanchez.
Top Performers:
K. Billings (SOM): 4 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 K
J. Perez (SOM): 1-2, 2B, 2 R, 2 SB
S. Nivens (RB): 2-3, R, BB
James Madison 12
Cooper City 8
The Story:
The Warhawks overcame a 7-0 deficit in the first inning, scoring the final ten runs of the ballgame.
The Big Inning:
James Madison trailed 8-2 heading into the bottom of the second. Four consecutive walks to start the inning brought in the first run. After a pitching change, Kyle Novak sent the first pitch he saw to the left-center gap, scoring two. Nate Leas then furthered the damage with a three-run home run to left two batters later.
Top Performers:
N. Leas (JM): 3-4, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, 7 RBI, SB
K. Novak (JM): 2-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
T. Krause (CC): 2-2, 2 R, 5 SB
East Lake 3
Taravella 0
The Story:
The East Lake Panthers advanced to the Championship Game with a hard-fought shutout win over Taravella
The Big Inning:
East Lake jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second. With one out, Konnor Stine roped a double to the outfield. Kyle Ericson then followed with a walk. A fielder's choice put two outs on the board, but East Lake wasn't ready to go down. Blake Amicone singled to score Ericson in the next at-bat. The Panthers then added another on a wild pitch, which plated Sean Murray.
Top Performers:
J. Kostantis (EL): CG, 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
J. Diaz (TV): 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 K
J. McDonald (TV): 3-3, 2B
B. Amicone (EL): 2-3, RBI
Strongsville 5
St. Johns Country Day 3
The Story:
Starting pitcher Austin Mercurio retired the first 19 batters he faced before losing his perfect bid in the seventh on a hit by pitch. Strongsville hung on for their first win of the week.
The Big Inning:
The Mustangs had an early lead, but added insurance in the fifth. Kevin Cendroski walked to lead things off, and moved to second on a groundout. He then showed off his wheels, scoring on a single from Jack Frank. Two batters later, Giovanni Lombardo laced a triple to the right field corner, scoring Frank and giving Strongsville a 4-0 advantage. They would end up needing the insurance runs, as they won 5-3 after seven innings.
Top Performers:
A. Mercurio (STR): 6.1 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 3 K
J. Frank (STR): 2-4, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB
T. Zellem (SJCD): 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Buchholz 7
Westfield 0
The Story:
The Bobcats controlled this one throughout, allowing only four hits to the Westfield Bulldogs.
The Big Inning:
Buchholz scored three runs in the top of the third before Westfield could record an out. After a leadoff walk and an error, Brooks Walton drove in two with a single. He was then brought in immediately by James Sapp's double. Josh Fowler then drove in Sapp with a single of his own, and came around to score on a Matt Moss groundout.
Top Performers:
B. Walton (BHS): CG, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 8 K; 1-4, 2 RBI
K. Domas (WHS): 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 8 K
C. Grantham (BHS): 2-3, 3 R, BB, SB
D. Astudillo (BHS): 3-4
Vero Beach 8
Pompano Beach 3
The Story:
The Fightin' Indians held on to their early lead and stranded eight runners en route to a berth in the Championship Game on Friday.
The Big Inning:
Vero Beach set the tone early in the bottom of the second, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Hunter Cooley drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a balk. Dylan Dean's sing;e brought him home. A fielder's choice and error on the next ball in play allowed Ben Yurigan to score. A bases loaded, two-out error by the third baseman brought a third run across in the form of Aaron Attas. Vero Beach would not relinquish the lead for the entirety of the game.
Top Performers:
H. Patteson (VB): 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1K
C. Ajello (PB): 2-4, 2B, R
T. Kniskern (PB): 2-4, R, SB
IMG Gray 7
Hialeah Educational Academy 4
The Story:
After trailing for five innings, IMG was able to put together a huge bottom of the fifth to capture their second win of the week.
The Big Inning:
The Ascenders used one inning to score all of their runs. Leyton Barry led off with a single and stole second. Billy Underwood then reached on a catcher's obstruction. Pinch hitter Tucker Mitchell singled to score Barry. Then, with two outs, Carlos de Leon singled home Underwood. That was followed by a wild pitch the pushed Mitchell. A fresh pitcher for the Bulldogs didn't matter as his wild pitch then scored de Leon. Barry found himself in the box again, and cleared the bases when the rightfielder misjudged his single, allowing it to go to the wall. When all was said and done, IMG was up 7-4.
Top Performers:
M. Leisher (IMG): 4 IP, 0 H, 2 R (0 ER), 1 BB 5 K
J. Delgado (HAE): 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (1 ER), 7 K
L. Barry (IMG): 2-4, R, 2 RBI, SB
Miami Palmetto 7
Lake Braddock 6
The Story:
The Palmetto Panthers overcame sloppy defense to hang on for a tight win over the Lake Braddock Bruins.
The Big Inning:
The Panthers trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth. Marc de Carlo was hit by a pitch to start things off. He stole second, then moved to third on a wild pitch before Ryan Herskowitz walked to put men on the corners. After two outs, Victor Valderrama walked to load the bases. Three pitches later, Patrick Mormile cleared the bases with a three-run double, giving Palmetto a 5-4 lead they would not relinquish.
Top Performers:
C. Teixeira (MP): 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K
P. Mormile (MP): 3-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI
B. Abreu (MP): 2-3, 2 R, BB, SB
M. Thomas (LB): 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI
L. Miller-Green (LB): 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI