West Broward Alone On Top Of District 12-6A After Win Over Flanagan

West Broward celebrates after a Gio Ruiz home run in the fourth inning of a 4-3 win over Flanagan.

The West Broward baseball team had been down this path too many times before. Last year, the Bobcats had the lead on Flanagan several times late, but then had to endure some amazing Falcons heroics. This time, it was West Broward that came up with the late inning magic.

The Bobcats were led on Wednesday by a strong pitching performance from Tyler Draughon, and some timely hitting, as they finally got over the hump and beat district rival Flanagan, 4-3. The win moves West Broward into sole possession of first place in District 12-6A.

“For us, it’s very important, because of where we are, and where we’re coming from,” said a jubilant Coach Moss after the game. “That’s the national champions over there. They’ve started out crushing everybody, and for us to come out and show that we can compete with them is huge.”

The game started well for the Bobcats when they scored a run in the first. With one down, Mike Hoeft singled and stole second. He then scored on Mark McGinnity’s single to left.

The Falcons answered in their half of the first on a solo home run by eventual losing pitcher Mike Melendez. In the second, Flanagan took the lead 2-1 after Andres Sanchez singled, and Matt Beauchemin doubled in Sanchez.

West Broward tied the score at two in the third. Mike Mordente singled, McGinnity walked, and left fielder Erik Gonzalez singled in Mordente. Gonzalez was then picked off first, ending the inning.

Gio Ruiz, who went 3-for-4, hit a home run for the Bobcats in the top of the fourth, and Sanchez returned the favor in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot of his own.

The score stayed tied into the seventh. Morente led off the top of the inning with a double. He was erased at third base on a fine play by Melendez on a sacrifice bunt attempt. McGinnity completed his perfect day at the plate by lining a double to left, putting runners on second and third. Gonzalez was hit by a pitch, and Ruiz struck out.

That brought to the plate Luigi Perez. The Bobcats sixth place batter hit a flair over the second baseman’s head that sent the West Broward crowd into a frenzy, and giving the Bobcats a 4-3 lead.

“I was trying to wait back as best that I can,” said Perez, speaking about his game-winning single. “He kept getting me out in front…so my approach there was that I had to come through for my team. Wait back as long as I can, he’s not going to blow it by me, and trust my hands.”

The Falcons did threaten in the bottom of the seventh. Sanchez walked with one out, and went to second on a passed ball. With one last chance to put a district rival away, Draughon seized the moment, getting Beauchemin to pop out to short, and watching Sanchez get tagged out at third on a ground ball on the way to a complete game victory. Draughon knew this win was big, but credited his head coach with keeping the team grounded.

“Whenever something big happens, Coach Moss, he puts us in our place,” said Draughon. “He preaches to just relax, never get too excited over one little thing.”

On this night, the Bobcats could be excused for their excitement, for this was not “one little thing.” Winning against Flanagan is a goal that had been building for several years, and when West Broward players wake up this morning, they will be alone in first place in their district, an accomplishment that is well deserved at this point in their season.

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