Coral Springs On Top Again – Wins Second Straight District 10-6A Title

Coral Springs celebrates their District 10-6A championship.

The Coral Springs high school baseball team was looking to do something that a baseball team at the school had never before accomplished. If the Colts could win on Thursday night, they would become the only team in school history to win back-to-back district championships.

Standing in the Colts way was an upstart Deerfield Beach team that had become the biggest story of the post season in Broward County. The Bucks had already knocked off third-seeded Coral Glades and second-seeded Douglas on their way to the title game.

On Thursday, something had to give between two teams chasing history. The Bucks again played like a team of destiny, but it was the Colts who prevailed with a 2-0 victory.

“It’s all about pitching and defense with this team,” said Colts Head Coach Frank Bumbales. “Our guys just didn’t give up anything. We didn’t make any errors in the two games we played, we didn’t give up any runs in two games. If we keep doing that, we can go a long way.”

That defense was evident right from the start against Deerfield. In the first inning, Colts starting pitcher Jonny Ortiz walked Bucks lead-off hitter Andre Campbell. Ortiz then got Andrew Danner to hit into a 6-4-3 double play.

The Bucks got a runner to second on Ortiz in the third, but Joey Ursetti was erased at third on a fielder’s choice.

Deerfield’s Nick Miller was matching Ortiz zero for zero through the first four innings and suddenly, the team that nobody gave a chance in these playoffs, was in a three inning game for the district title.

But in the bottom of the fifth, Coral Springs would provide all the offense their pitchers would need for the night. The inning started well for Miller, as Coral Springs catcher Ian Delamadrid flied out to left. Austin Nelson then was retired for the second out of the inning. With two-outs and nobody on, Justin Mixon reached on an error. Dylan Ebel followed with a single. Then Alex Demicco drove in the first run of the game with a single. After Lewis Brinson walked, Ursetti relieved Miller and proceeded to walk Alan Sharkey, plating Ebel with the Colts second run.

Demicco got the big hit in the inning, and it was special for him considering he is the lone Colts starter that will be graduating this year.

“We’ve been playing together for five years in the infield,” said Demicco, when asked about how his team has gained the reputation of being one of the most fundamentally sound on defense. “We practice everyday hard, and we pride ourselves on not giving up unearned runs.”

When asked about being a part of the first back-t-back district champions in school history, Demicco replied, “It’s amazing. With all the juniors out there, I’m the only senior out here, and I do it for them. They are all great kids with a lot of potential, and I couldn’t be happier.”

With Demicco providing the offensive spark, it was Ortiz who shut down a Deerfield offense that had suddenly come alive in the district tournament. Ortiz went six strong innings before handing the game over to closer Dalton Wolchik.

“I was just trying to throw strikes and let my defense do the work,” said Ortiz. “By the fourth and fifth inning I had the most confidence, and I was shutting down the hitters. Tonight we”l enjoy this, and tomorrow we’ll go back to practice and get ready for regionals.”

On the other side of the field, the Bucks will also have to begin preparing for regionals. The team that had only four wins coming into the tournament, showed everyone that anything can be accomplished when playing with heart. Deerfield was the most inspired and energetic team throughout the district tournament, and despite losing the title game, Head Coach Scott Bragg was proud of his players.

“They play with their heart, and they keep playing hard, and they fight to the end,” said Bragg of his team. “I commend them for having the intestinal fortitude to come out here and play three straight games like they have. They’ve earned the respect of everybody in the county, and I have the utmost respect for this team. They just play so hard.”

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