CS Charter Gives North Broward First Home Loss With Comeback Win

Every district victory is important, and none more so than in the tough District 14-3A.

So following Tuesday’s extra-inning, 5-4 victory over host North Broward Prep, Coral Springs Charter coach Jerry Albert couldn’t be more pleased.

“We had a rough week last week,” admitted Albert, whose team ended a three-game losing streak while giving the Eagles their only home loss on the season. “We’ve had so many great games with them over the years, so it feels good to get this one.”

Tuesday’s contest lived up to the series history, going eight innings with three ties and four lead changes.

Relief pitcher Colton Rogers was the hero for the Panthers (13-8, 3-5), plating freshman Christian Khawly with the deciding run on a double to the left-center field gap with one out in the top of the eighth inning.

“I was looking for a first-pitch fastball I could drive, and I was just able to find the gap,” said Rogers.

The junior left-hander then returned to the mound to record three consecutive strikeouts to end it.

“I felt amazing on the mound,” Rogers admitted. “Everything was working.”

Despite having the winning hit, it was Rogers’ performance on the rubber that made the biggest difference. After giving up an RBI single to Josean Lazaro on his very first pitch, he then retired 13 of his final 14 batters while throwing 40 of his 49 pitches for strikes. He entered the game with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning with the game tied at three apiece, then struck out seven to improve his season record to 4-1.

“His control is so good when he’s locked in,” said Albert. “When you’re pitching around the plate the defense is better and on its toes because they are locked in behind you.”

The Eagles (15-5) struck immediately, as leadoff hitter Kevin Fagan homered to deep center field on his first pitch. Two batters later senior Justin Bard followed with a shot to right-center field that also cleared the yard. Fagan also scored on an RBI single from Bard in the third inning, as North Broward had four hits and six walks off Panthers’ starter Jordan Ohl.

The longball continually was the difference-maker for the Panthers, as Khawly gave them their first lead with a three-run blast to center field in the top of the third inning.

The Panthers forced extra innings when freshman catcher Joe McChrystal hit a solo home run to left-centerfield with one out in the top of the seventh inning that evened it at 4-4.

North Broward had retired 10 of the previous 12 batters, and had seemed poised to prevail with their second 4-3 victory over the Panthers this season.

“I tip my hat to their pitchers, but we just got outplayed,” said Eagles coach Brian Campbell, whose team dropped its final two district outings to finish 6-2 in District 14-3A. “We did not produce when we had chances and I just don’t feel like we’ve accomplished anything yet. In a couple of weeks everyone’s record is the same so we’ll hit the reset button tomorrow and move on.”

Senior reliever Sarkis Ohanian took the loss for the Eagles, recording three strikeouts while falling to 2-1. Lazaro got the start and fanned six batters while allowing the home run to Khawly in the third inning.

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