Harrell’s 3-Run Walk-Off Homer Lifts Pompano Over Fort Lauderdale

Pompano’s Kenny Harrell just moments before hitting a three-run, walk-off homer against Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale players worked hard on Wednesday evening to gain a victory over Pompano in a non-district match up. The Flying L’s thought they were on their way to a win when they took a 4-2 lead in the top of the eighth. Kenny Harrell, however, had different ideas when he strode to the plate in the bottom half of the inning.

Harrell blasted a three-run, walk-off homer to propel Pompano to a dramatic 5-4 win. The game had been a pitcher’s through the first seven innings, but turned offensive in the extra frame.

The Golden Tornadoes sent their ace, Ryan Richman, to the mound to start the game against Fort Lauderdale. Richman has already thrown two no-hitter’s this season, but was coming off a rough start against Pine Crest in his last outing.

On this night, Richman showed his mental toughness and resilience by rebounding from the Pine Crest game to throw six strong innings, giving up only two unearned. He exited the game after six with the score tied at two.

“I was very pleased with Ryan,” said Pompano Head Coach George Petik. “He threw strikes, he changed speeds, he did what he’s capable of doing. We’re not going to throw a no-hitter every time out, but we’re going to go out and compete and stay within ourselves. He did that tonight and relief pitcher Tyler Keller did that as well.”

Alex De La Cruz was equally as impressive for Fort Lauderdale. The Flying L’s starter went seven innings, yielding two runs on eight hits, while striking out four.

Fort Lauderdale produced a run in the first inning when lead-off hitter Chris Chapman reached base on a Pompano error. Chapman moved to second on Shelby Geisler’s infield hit, and advanced to third on a fly out to center. He then scored on a fielder’s choice.

Pompano responded in their half of the first, knotting the score at one. Kenny Sanchez singled home Charlie Pal, who had reached on a walk.

After three scoreless innings, the Flying L’s broke the 1-1 tie, pushing across their second unearned run of the game in the top of the fifth. Hunter Kay came across with the go-ahead run on the Golden Tornadoes second error of the inning.

Pompano tied the score in the sixth on J.J. Rodriguez’s RBI single. Neither team scored in the seventh, although Pompano threatened, loading the bases with one out before De La Cruz worked out of the jam.

In the top of the eighth, Fort Lauderdale took a two run lead after an infield single by Geisler, a botched pick-off attempt, and a single by Stetson McCollin. The Flying L’s shortstop then stole second and scored the second run of the inning on a double by Christian Shields.

In the bottom of the inning, Vincent Pellecchia singled and Nick Delgado walked, setting the stage for Harrell’s heroics. After Rodriguez fouled out, Harrell launched the game-winning homer over the left field fence.

Despite the loss, Fort Lauderdale received a gritty performance by Kris Chatman, who reached base three of the four times he went to the plate, while scoring the first run of the game. The performance was not lost on Head Coach Terry Portis.

“Chapman had a very good night, that’s why he’s in this spot (lead-off), “said Portis. “He hustles all the time, he’s a team leader…he does a really nice job.”

2 Responses to “Harrell’s 3-Run Walk-Off Homer Lifts Pompano Over Fort Lauderdale”