Broward Fails To Rally Saturday, Palm Beach Wins Tournament

Broward went into Saturday’s two games in the HSBN Broward/Palm Beach Preseason Challenge with a chance to tie the tournament if North Broward Prep and Coral Springs Charter could pull off victories. It was not to be, however, as both the Eagles and Panthers lost to their Palm Beach opponents. Palm Beach won the tournament 8-4.

North Broward Prep Rally Falls Short

The Eagles played their second straight game in which they committed four errors, but unlike earlier in the week when the bats overcame the errors, the offense could not produce in a 3-1 loss to Atlantic.

“We’ve made eight errors in two games, and we’ve got to get to work,” coach Brian Campbell said. “It’s going to maybe take some shuffling here and there, or some lineup changes. Whatever it takes, we’re going to get it done, and maybe we have to put some pressure on guys. We’ve got to do something, because we can’t be making four erros a game, it’s not going to happen. We’re not going to win that way, bottom line.”

Of the four runs scored by the two teams, none were earned. NBP jumped out to an early lead in the first after Mack Nathanson worked a two-out walk. Designated runner Donny Peterson promptly stole second and came around to score the first run of the game on an error.

Atlantic wasted no time jumping back on top, scoring three runs in the top of the second. Three NBP errors opened the door for an RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Daniel Metz. An RBI single by Jake Wallin ended the scoring in the inning.

After the second, the pitchers for both teams took control, yielding only two hits the rest of the way. Atlantic starter Kyle Blank went three innings, allowing only an unearned run. Sam Bergita threw the final four innings for the Eagles, working out of a jam in the seventh to secure the win. Bergita had five strikeouts, and gave up only one hit in the outing. The senior was named the Player of the Game.

“We knew North Broward was a pretty good team, so we had to come out throwing strikes,” Bergita said. “Our pitching coach just told us to attack the strike zone.”

Asked about his team clinching the tournament and bragging rights for Palm Beach, Bergita was short and to the point.

“It was an honor, because we had to show that Palm Beach was better than Broward, and we did that.”

The win gave Atlantic a perfect week in terms of wins and losses, but head coach Steve Wilson understands that much work is left to be done before the season begins for real next week.

“We talk about fundamentals every day in practice, and we work on those fundamentals every day,” Wilson said. “Situational hitting is another important aspect of the game, and we have to make sure we get better at both.”

Walks Hurt Coral Springs Charter In Loss To Heritage

Coral Springs Charter was trying to right the ship Saturday after a tough loss earlier in the week at the hands of Atlantic. This would not be the day that goal would be accomplished. The Panthers could not overcome 13 walks, and in the end, a game that started promising ended with a 15-9 loss.

The game was sloppy on both sides, with nine errors being made. It was one of those games that coaches would like to forget, and Heritage head coach Carm Mazza made that point using humor when asked what he told his players after the win.

“With the weather and everything else tonight, I told them ‘Listen, our passing game wasn’t good on first down. We ran the ball pretty well. Let’s go home.'”

Coral Springs Charter did have some positives to take away from the game, even with the football score. Shortstop Stephen Kerr hit the first home run of the tournament, a three-run shot that tied the game at 5-5. The Panthers’ defense and pitching, however, could not keep the Stallions down, resulting in the loss. Coach Mike Higgins was disappointed with the loss, but he still is encouraged about what type of team he has this season.

“I know, and I think the kids know, that once we get it rolling, we will continue to improve every game,” Higgins said. “It’s going to take some time, but I think we’ll be alright. We fought tonight, even though we fell behind early. I think we have some confidence now going into the season that we maybe didn’t have those first two innings tonight.”

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