University Overpowers Taravella In Final Preseason Tuneup

The University Suns felt like they let a game slip away earlier in the week when they lost 5-4 to the Coral Glades Jaguars. On Friday, the Suns made sure they would not make the same mistake twice.

University used an offensive explosion in the second inning to rout Taravella 12-0 in both teams final tuneup before the regular season. The Suns finished the preseason 1-1, while the Trojans went 0-2 in the Deerfield Beach preseason tournament, losing to University and South Broward.

Although the preseason means nothing in terms of where these teams will be at the end of the year, University players put on a show during an eight run second inning. The big blow in the inning came off the bat of Jordan Budwig. The sophomore clubbed a three run homer in the game changing inning.

The Trojans pitching then settled down until the sixth, when freshman Michael Crespo put the game on ice with a grand slam. Crespo ended the game with five RBIs and also threw 1 2/3 of shutout ball before giving way to Budwig for the final out.

Manny Silveira started the game for University, going four innings and giving up no runs on three hits. Silveira threw over three quarters of his pitches for strikes, always a winning formula for a pitcher.

University Head Coach Rick Hofman picked up his first win in three years. That may sound like a long time between wins, but there is good reason for the gap. Hofman has been out of coaching since stepping away from his last coaching stint at Piper. While coaching the Bengals, Hofman had trouble defeating the Trojans, but his University squad ensured that trend would not continue with Hofman’s new team.

A “dominating performance,” was how University Assistant Coach Dave Hofman categorized the win.

Taravella will now regroup from the rough preseason and prepare for their regular season opener Tuesday on the road against Western. University will open their 2011 campaign against Fort Lauderdale Monday night in the Colts First Pitch Classic.

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