Hollywood Hills Spartans Win Big Against Piper

The Spartan offense responded in a big way as Hollywood Hills defeated Piper 11-1 on Tuesday in the Titan Spring Classic.

“We did OK today, our hitters got their opportunity,” said Spartans Manager Charlie Cardinale. “We needed to make things happen, and today it paid off.”

The Spartans were aggressive on the bases, stealing five and moving their runners with bunts, which forced some mental mistakes by the Bengals’ defense.

“We made mental mistakes, and along with the walks, which compound each other is what did us in today,” said Bengals Manager Donovan Collins.

Bengals pitcher Joseph Spano allowed only one hit until the fourth inning. However the Spartan’s took advantage of a lapse in control by Spano in the bottom of the third inning, when the lead-off hitter, right fielder Anthony Delvin, drew a walk to start things up for the Spartans. Center fielder Danny Peña was hit-by-pitch, putting Delving in scoring position.

With no outs and runners on first and second, left fielder Chris Hernandez put down a bunt, getting safe at first on an errant throw, which also allowed the first run of the game for the Spartans. Hernandez proceeded to steal second, and with nobody out and runners on second and third the Spartans put the second run on the board, courtesy of a sac-fly deep to right field by shortstop Tommy Grant.

The third and final run of the inning for Hollywood Hills came thanks to another sacrifice fly, this time to center field courtesy of third baseman Frank Wells, who finished the day going one for three, with a walk, an RBI sac-fly, and a base hit.

The Bengals got on the board in the top of the fourth, scoring what would be the only run of the game for the Piper offense.

The Spartans took up where they left off in the fourth inning, when lead-off hitter Austin Hille blasted a towering fly deep to center for a triple that would start the rally for the Spartans. Catcher Jed Wilson got on base courtesy of an error, which allowed Hille to score from third. Delvin and Peña drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Heranadez hit a grounder through the infield and on to right field for a two RBI single, a bad throw to home plate allowed another run for the Spartans.

With one out and a runner on second, shortstop Tommy Grant hit a towering fly over the center fielder’s head for an RBI double. The next run came courtesy of a 6-3 fielder’s choice by D’andre Diaz.

The Spartans sealed the victory with two more runs in the fifth inning.

Hollywood Hills pitcher Danny Hinzel pitched a one run complete game. He struck out  three, allowed no walks and only three hits.

“We played really well today, we made no errors,” said Hinzel. “I just need to continue working on keeping the ball down and keeping my off-speed over the plate, it’s not the best yet.”

Hille went 1 for 3 with a hit-by-pitch, a triple and scored a run.

“I feel that overall the way we entered the game, the mentality was very good,” said Hille. “We came to win today. Our team is really meshing right now.”

The Spartan defense was a key factor, as they made the key outs in the infield with consistency throughout the game.

“We really work on our defense, that’s what wins ball games,” said Hille. “As long as our pitcher is doing his job we’re going to help him out.”

Cardinale was content with his team’s performance.

“We played good defensive ball today,” Cardinale said. Everything worked out, I’m very pleased.”

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