Pines Charter 6
Sagemont 2
The Pines Charter Jaguars took and early lead and didn't look back en route to their second win of the week, defeating the Sagemont Lions 6-2 on Tuesday morning.
Pines Charter broke things open early in the game, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second. Dean Guzman led things off with a triple to right field, and was brought in on an RBI groundout from Franklin Pinales. After a strikeout, an error and two walks loaded that bases for the Jags. Max Romero came through, scorching a line drive past Sagemont's leaping second baseman to score Peter Avino and Ryan Rasmussen.
An error in the field allowed Sagemont to get one run back in the top of the third to make it 3-1. Guzman countered that run with an RBI of his own in the bottom of the fifth. He doubled to right field, bringing in teammate Dylan Vega to make it 4-1.
The teams swapped blows again in the sixth. In the top half, Lermit Pages sliced a double to the left center gap to score Keshav Babu. However, in Pines Charter's half, they were able to score twice more. A text book double steal allowed Avino to cross home. One batter later, Tim Snyder doubled to center, scoring Max Romero to make the final of 6-1.
Guzman was the standout in this one, putting a week's worth of stats into one box score. He finished 4-4 at the plate with two singles, a double, a triple, one run scored, one RBI and two stolen bases. The Jaguars pitching duo of Brandon Barcenas (Win, 4 IP) and Paulo Cruz (Save, 3 IP) performed admirably, allowing only one earned run on six hits, one walk and six strikeouts combined.
Palmetto 4
Highland 3
This one was exciting from start to finish. Int he end, the Palmetto Panthers had one big inning that led them to their second win of the tournament, 4-3, over the Highland Hawks.
Highland struck first in the top of the second. A pair of singles and an error loaded the bases with two outs for Eddie Gimbel. The Hawks shortstop chopped one to the hole at short, and though it was fielded cleanly, there was no play to be made, allowing the run to score. alain Perez was then able to strike out his third batter of the inning to strand three and limit the damage to one run.
In the top of the fourth, it was Gimbel coming through once again for Highland. Facing another two out situation, Gimbel smoked a ball into the right center gap, scoring Dylan Fisher and Nick Panicone to extend the Hawks' lead to 3-0.
Palmetto was ready to answer back in the bottom of the frame. A single, hit by pitch, and single loaded the bases with no one out. Joe Largo drove in the first run for Palmetto with a dingle to left in the next at bat. He was followed by Zach Wiener who chopped a groundball to third. The ball was misplayed, allowing all runners to advance and a second run to score. Next, Jason Altuve punched a ball back up the middle that looked like it might turn into a double play. The Hawks shortstop fielded the ball and stepped on second, but his throw was wide of first base which allowed both Nicholas Garcia and Largo to come across to give Palmetto a 4-3 lead.
Every frame of the fifth, sixth and seventh included runners left on base. During Highland's final at bat, Luke Burner and Blake Fisher each singled to put two men on. However, Anthony Ortega was called upon and induced two flyouts to keep the men on and end the game.
Kavalir led the Panthers offense with a 3-3 day at the plate. On the mound, Alain Perez, Angel Perez, and Ortega combined to allow zero earned runs on the day with seven strikeouts. Gimbel was huge for the Hawks in the loss, finishing 3-4 at the plate with thee RBI.
Schedule for Wednesday March 27
10:00 am
DeMatha Catholic vs. Killian
12:30 pm
Somerset Academy vs. South Dade
Please note: Rain is in the forecast for Wednesday, so game times may be adjusted to a later time in order to avoid unplayable conditions. Stay tuned to our Twitter account for the latest updates