Burgess Throws Five No-Hit Innings, Chaminade Beats Am Heritage-Delray 1-0

The Chaminade-Madonna Lions had a tough loss to King’s Academy on Monday to open the HSBN Broward/Palm Beach Preseason Challenge. The Lions, unlike most teams, have two aces, which made coming back on Wednesday not such a tall task. In their match-up with American Heritage-Delray, the Lions turned to senior Brandon Burgess to help get the team in the win column, and Burgess delivered.

Chaminade scored only a run, but that was enough for a 1-0 victory, thanks in large part to Burgess’ five innings of no-hit ball. The co-ace struck out only one batter, but held the Stallions’ hitters off balance for much of the day. It is a performance that head coach Mike Moss comes to expect.

“He commanded his off-speed stuff, and he threw strikes. He’s tough to hit, guys don’t really see the ball very well against him and his ball moves a lot,” Moss said. “Five no-hit innings, as a coach, you can’t ask for much more than that.”

The Lions’ offense struggled for the second game in a row, unable to solve the Stallions’ trio of pitchers. Dylan Silva threw three innings, and despite some early command problems, the senior did not allow a run. Dylan Arnold and Peter Castillo were equally as effective. Pitching dominated the day, much like it normally does at this time of year.

The only run of the game came in the fifth inning. With one out, Lions designated hitter Keith Oren was hit by a pitch. A pair of errors brought Oren around from first, and Chaminade had the one run it would need. The close games are something that this Lions team expects to be involved in throughout the season.

“It definitely helps me,” said Burgess, when asked whether playing these low-scoring games affects his concentration level. “I enjoy the challenge of playing against good competition.”

Combined, the teams produced only two hits, one by the Lions Mitch Moorman, and the other a double off the bat of Heritage’s Jon Spada. The Stallions’ offense was stagnant, and head coach Carm Mazza knows they must get better if they are going to compete for a state title this season.

“We’re behind,” said Mazza, when asked his assessment of his offense. “I think we had three quality at-bats tonight. We have to swing the bats. We were in some 0-1, 0-2 counts, and we were defensive and we didn’t swing the bats. We’ll never get mad at them if they’re swinging at first-pitch fastballs. That’s how you learn how to hit. You’ve got to swing the bats. We’re a little disappointed, but we’ll get better.”

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