Coral Springs Charter Improves To 5-1 With Win Over Chaminade

Coral Springs Charter has had a strong start to their 2011 campaign, and on Wednesday, the Panthers picked up their second win of the week over a quality opponent. Charter used a strong pitching performance from Wyatt Hawes and aggressive base running to move their record to 51- with a 5-3 win over Chaminade Madonna.

Hawes gave up two runs in the first inning, but cruised after that on his way to the victory. The Panthers took the lead for good with two runs in the fourth, and after tacking on another in the fifth, Colton Rogers came in and closed the door on the Lions in the seventh, earning the save for the Panthers.

The two teams both came out swinging in the first. Coral Springs received singles from Vaugh Brian and Stephen Kerr. The two table setters both stole bases in the inning, and scored the Panthers first two runs of the day. Speed on the bases is something that Head Coach Jerry Albert knows is a strength this season.

“We have a little speed,” said Albert. “You always like to do it, but you gotta have kids that can run. This year we have some kids that can run a little bit, so, once they get on, we like to take advantage of that. Right now it’s really helping us.”

Chaminade answered back in their half of the first, when Luis Guillorme led off with a single. Frank Duffin walked, and Matt Wagener singled, loading the bases. An Adrian Garcia walk plated the firs run, and a ground ball double play scored the tying run.

From there, Charter starter Hawes took control, retiring fifteen of the eighteen Lions hitters he faced from the second through sixth innings. The only batters to reach base during that stretch did so on a walk, a single and an error. Hawes took the first inning personally, and responded to the challenge the rest of the game.

“After the first inning, I was determined to go out there and get my pride back,” said Hawes. The pitcher credited hard work with his team’s strong start, and with a district battle with Pine Crest looming on Friday, Hawes stressed, “We need to keep playing like we’re playing, because we’re playing pretty good right now.”

Chaminade was hurt by sloppy defensive play Wednesday, and the team has developed a pattern of falling behind early in games. The early deficits and walks by their pitcher’s are things that Head Coach Paul Herfurth knows cannot continue if the Lions are going to go deep into the playoffs this season.

“We cannot continue to spot teams two or three runs in the first two innings,” said the Chaminade coach. “We’ve done that almost every game. We’ve got to command our pitches better, that’s the bottom line. When our pitcher’s throw strikes, our defense is more on their toes, our strike throwing has got to improve.”

Chaminade must put Wednesday’s loss behind them quickly, as a big district match up with LaSalle is one the schedule today. Coral Springs Charter will try to complete an impressive week when they host district rival Pine Crest Friday evening.

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