CS Christian Continues Late-Season Revival With 7-2 Win Over Chaminade

Coral Springs Christian head Coach Matt Cleveland has been saying all year that he makes his team play a tough schedule for a reason. Cleveland believes the tough battles, whether won or lost, will help the Crusaders in the long run.

If the Crusaders play of late is any indication, Cleveland may have been right in his way of thinking. CS Christian won for the fifth straight time on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Chaminade Madonna 7-2 behind a strong pitching performance by junior Billy Atkins.

“The usual,” said Cleveland of his pitcher’s performance on this day. “Throws strikes, keeping the defense involved, quick innings. That’s what we need to win a game.”

Chaminade scored early on Atkins, getting one run in the first on a lead-off double by Luis Guillorme and an RBI single by Matthew Wagener. The hit was one of four on the day for Wagener, to go along with two RBIs. Chaminade Head Coach Paul Herfurth was pleased to see his senior left-fielder come up big.

“Great day,” said Herfurth. “He’s been our best hitter for the past two years. This year he’s been pressing a bit, and I was glad to see him break out of it today and have a really good day. It was big. He’s been in the three hole all year and he’s continued to battle. Today’s performance was a really good sign for our club.”

The Crusaders took an aggressive approach against Lions starter Chris Flores. The long ball was the difference in the game, with Coral Springs hitting three homers, two off the bat of Derek Barra. The center-fielder hit a solo shot in the second to put the Crusaders up 2-1, and then hit a two-run shot in the seventh to ice the game.

“I was just trying to stay back,” said Barra of his approach at the plate on this day. The senior finished the afternoon 2-for-3 with the two home runs and three RBIs. Barra also had a walk in the game.

Kyle Pitts has been among the county leaders in average all season long, and on Wednesday he delivered the big blow of the game. Pitts drove a Flores fast ball out of the park for a three-run homer. At the time, the Crusaders were only up 2-1, but Pitts’ blast extended the lead to 4-1.

As for Atkins, the Coral Springs pitcher worked out of several jams by inducing ground ball double plays. In the seventh, it appeared that Atkins may have been tiring after giving up singles to Frank Duffin and Wagener.

After a strikeout, Eddie Guardarrama had an impressive at-bat, battling back from an 0-2 hole to lace a single to left. Atkins then struck out Kevin Allison and got Manny Rodriguez on a come-backer to the mound for the final out of the game.

CS Charter improved their record to 9-7-1. Chaminade dropped to 8-10.

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