Correa’s Three Home Runs Power North Broward Prep Over Pine Crest 20-10

Fourth of July fireworks came early this year to Broward County as North Broward Prep and Pine Crest belted five home runs apiece while combining to score thirty runs on a cloudy and dreary afternoon yesterday in Ft. Lauderdale. The Eagles won the high scoring district affair 20-12.

The onslaught started when Eagles lead-off batter Kevin Fagan smacked a double to left in the first. Two outs later clean-up hitter Mike Vigliarolo drove Fagan in with the second double to left of the inning, before coming around himself on Christian Correa’s two-run home run, staking NBP to a quick 3-0 lead.

The Panthers got on the board in their half of the first when their clean-up batter Zack Kessinger scored Lance Kirschenbaum, on via a walk, with a double of his own.

The second inning provided even more offense as North Broward scored five unearned runs, the big blow being Vigliarolo’s grand slam home run, upping the score to 8-1.

In the bottom of the third, the Panthers came roaring back from a 9-2 deficit. Kirschenbaum started things off with an opposite field home run. Three singles later, Michael Pozzuoli belted the game’s second grand slam, closing the gap to 9-7.

It seemed as though each teams rally only produced a retaliation by their opponent. After a pair of walks sandwiched around a Justin Bard single and a balk, Correa lined his second homer of the afternoon, good for three more runs and a 13-7 Eagles lead. Another pair of walks, Anthony Valeo’s double and a costly throwing error, allowed three more runs, and the route was on as North Broward built a 16-7 lead.

Once again the gritty Panthers answered back when Michael Pierson started the home fourth with a solo homer. After a Kessinger single, Ben Arkin got in on the home run derby when he crushed a two-run shot. The score climbed to 16-10 after only four innings.

The fireworks weren’t over yet as Correa smashed his third round-tripper of the afternoon with one down in the fifth, making the score 17-10.

“I was sitting curve ball the whole game,” said Correa, when speaking about his approach in the three-homer game. “My first two home runs were off curves and my third home run was off a change-up that was up and I just put the barrel on it.”

NBP added three more runs in the sixth, making the score 20-10.

For his fine effort, Fagan (2-0) was awarded the win while Panther’s starter Steven Goldberg (2-1) gets the loss.

Vigliarolo and Correa both had similar numbers on the day, each going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and six RBI.

“They got it done. Luckily they were in the right position to drive in those runs,” said Eagles Head Coach Brian Campbell. “They answered the bell and did a good job. I was real happy with our offensive production. We swung the bats well today.”

Pine Crest Head Coach Glenn Pierson knows his team must play better if they are going to challenge for a district title.

“We scored ten runs, five long balls. It’s tough to criticize that, but we can do a little better job with our defense and we can do a lot better on the mound,” said Pierson. “We’re not performing the way we need to in order to win games.”

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