Eagles Soar Past Knights 12-2 to Secure Second HSBN Fall Classic Win

Things could have gone really bad for the Parkland Eagles on Wednesday night considering the adversity the team faced on and off the field.

“We had a lot of weird things go on tonight,” Eagles manager Todd Fitz-Gerald said after the game. “From sickness, players missing rides to a sluggish approach at the plate. However, our pitching kept us in the game, and like we did last night, we showed a lot of resiliency later in the game.”

That combination of good pitching and resiliency equated to a 12-2 win over the Knights, allowing the Eagles to go up 2-0 in their bracket of the HSBN Fall Classic at Fort Lauderdale High School.

The Eagles got on the board first, utilizing two hits and a stolen base to make it 1-0. KJ Mayo singled with one out, stole second and scored on an RBI single by Greg Aspenwell.

Aspenwell, who was not on the original lineup card, looked solid filing in for one of the aforementioned players, driving a 1-2 pitch into left field to give his team the lead.

In the third inning, the Knights answered, scoring two runs on two hits. Joey Rugare doubled off the right-field fence. The next hitter, Tee Wine was hit by the pitch, placing runners on first and second with one out. After a groundout to second base, Troy Brennan delivered with a two-run single to make it 2-1 Knights.

However, the Eagles would eliminate the lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs to take a 4-2 advantage. Aspenwell led the charge with a leadoff single and a run, while Luis Silverio added a two-run single. Colton Welker scored the final run of the inning on a nicely executed bunt single by Tony Gallo.

The Eagles poured it on in the bottom of the fifth inning, taking advantage of mistakes and five walks while coming up with key hits to score eight runs in the frame. Silverio keyed the attack, adding another RBI single, while the Eagles sent 14 players to the dish before a based-loaded walk to Josh Korbel ended the game.

For the Knights, the fifth inning proved to be the thorn in their heel again. After recording two outs, the Knights used four pitchers to try to continue the game, but three errors and walks ended their night early.

“The fifth inning has been real troublesome inning for us. We’ve been trying various things, but nothing comes out in our favor,” said Knights coach Franco. “That’s the beauty of fall ball, we get to try different things to see what works and doesn’t. We will continue to work hard and make adjustments.”

Eagles right-hander Austin Kramer tossed five innings of two-run ball, scattering three hits, striking out seven while not allowing a walk.

“I hate walking people,” said Kramer. “I’ve been trying to get ahead all fall, so I can utilize my best pitch, my curve ball. If I locate my fastball early in the game, then I can throw my curve whenever.”

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