Key Hits Pace Northeast In Win Over Plantation

The Northeast Hurricanes used timely hits to defeat the lively Plantation Colonels 5-3 on Tuesday.

Both sides had a good showing of their pitching staff. Plantation pitcher Chris Yearsley pitched well into the late innings, keeping the game within reach. His pitching count was into the upper 80s as he battled it out with a terrific performance by Northeast’s Isaiah Blackwell, who pitched in his first varsity start.

The Hurricanes’ pitchers kept the Colonels at bay with consistent pitching and strong closing by Ralph Morel.

“This was Isaiah’s first win as a varsity. Ralph is our number one guy, came in and did well,” Hurricanes Manager Kevin Carney said. “We wanted to get the win.”

The Hurricanes took advantage of opportunities. In the first inning, Morel drew a walk, stole second. DJ Kelley also walked, putting Morel in scoring position with no outs. The Canes put on successful double steel and advanced the runners to second and third. Right fielder Carlos Perez put the ball in play, forcing a fielder’s choice 5-3 out bringing in Morel to score the first run for Northeast. The second run of the inning came courtesy of a well-placed ground ball to second base by first baseman Vicente Duarte for another fielder’s choice, bringing home Kelley.

The Colonels had their chance in the bottom of the third, when after one out, Ryan Smith hit a scorching line drive to the left-center gap for a double. Smith later advanced to second on a passed ball. Hurricane pitcher Isaiah Blackwell struck out the next batter. With two outs and Smith on third, Blackwell walked center fielder Tyler Price, who took advantage of the gift by stealing second base and advancing to third. A passed ball allowed Smith to score from third. With runners at the corners, the next batter for the Colonels popped it up to the second baseman to close what might have been a big rally for Plantation.

In the top of the fourth, the Hurricanes scored two more runs. Leadoff hitter short stop Eduardo Uriarte placed a well-hit ball to the left-center gap for a double before left fielder Vishesh Swaroop put down a terrific sacrifice bunt to third base, forcing a 5-3 and allowing Uriarte to score. With two outs, third baseman Abrailis Jimenez hit a line drive to left field for an RBI single, adding the fourth run.

Plantation scored one run in the bottom of the fourth and another in the fifth, and the Hurricanes finished the night with another run at the top of the seventh.

“A win is a win, but we have to do better,” Carney said. “We had balls drop in, plays that should have been made. We also have to learn how to add runs once we have the lead. We’re still learning to play with the lead.”

Plantation Manager Neil Andreoli said the Colonels failed to execute.

“Early in the game we had [the Hurricanes] pitchers on the ropes,” Andreoli said. “We just couldn’t get the runs in. That comes back to bite you in the late innings, at the end of the game we faced a really good pitcher.”

Andreoli also added, “They got timely hits, I give them credit, they played well.”

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