University 8
South Fork 5
After a relatively low scoring first day, University and South Fork had offense on full display to open up Tuesday's matchups. In the end, the Pioneers were able to hold off the Bulldogs, winning 8-5.
The scoring started in the bottom of the second for South Fork. A hit by pitch, a single and a sac bunt put two men in scoring position with two outs. Andrew Mitchell turned on the first pitch he saw and sent it down the right field line for a double that scored both Ricky Boyce and Hunter Wentworth.
Giving up the pair of runs fired up the University offense, who turned it on in the top of the third. Jackson Powell led off with a single, and moved to third on a one-out double from Jack Feely. Parker Mathieson then walked to load the bases. Another walk to Jackson Blemler brought Powell for the first run. A Jacob Mote single scored Feely, followed by a Nate Hardman single which plated Mathieson. A throwing error and a wild pitch brought two more runs in, making the score 5-2.
In the bottom of the third, South Fork was able to strike back by scoring two on a sac fly from Ryan Shuley and a double off the bat of Ricky Boyce.
The Pioneers were quick to respond once more. In the top of the fourth, Parker Mathieson and Jackson Blemler each picked up RBI singles to make the score 7-4. South Fork inched closed in the 5th, earning one run on a wild pitch to make the score 7-5. Mathieson then added an insurance run in the sixth for University, scoring Mosele with a single.
Jake Swartz was effective in relief for University, earning the win with a line of 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 K. Caleb Gross tossed a pair of scoreless frames with three strikeouts to earn the save. Mathieson was the star of the offense on the day, hitting 2-3 with two runs and two RBI. Ricky Boyce reached base safely three times and scored twice in a losing effort for South Fork.
Calvary Christian 1
Barron Collier 0
It was a pitcher's duel fit for a championship game. Calvary Christian was able to scrape a run across late in the ballgame to win 1-0 over the Barron Collier Cougars on Tuesday evening.
The story of this ballgame was on the pitcher's mound. For Calvary, Andrew Painter kept his team in the game by tossing a complete game shutout. The sophomore righty allowed only three hits (all singles) while striking out five en route to the win. He seemed to get stronger as the game moved on, pounding the zone with a low 90s fastball and a sharp slider.
For Barron Collier, they received a nearly equivalent effort from their arms. Thomas Balboni looked sharp through four innings, scattering four hits and picking up four strikeouts. He turn things over to Buddy Packish in the fifth, and the score remained knotted at zero. However, in the top of the sixth the Eagles were able to strike. With one out, Tyler Knierim and Jonothan Lane were both hit by pitches. On the second pitch of the ensuing at bat, both runners successfully stole, putting two men in scoring position. The next throw from reliever Adrian Abad was wild, allowing Knierim to score the only run of the game.
Mykanthony Valdez was the only player for either team to record more than one hit.
Schedule for Wednesday March 13
Both games at Sanford Memorial Stadium
4:30 pm
Flagler Palm Coast (1-0) vs. Christ School (0-1)
7:00 pm
Second Baptist (1-0) vs. Orangewood Christian (0-1)