2A-13 Playoff Preview: Mano-A-Mano

2A-13
Host: Sheridan Hills High School

Tuesday, April 23rd

4PM – Championship – (2) Sheridan Hills vs. (1) Zion Lutheran

Full stats for 2A-13 can be found on the 2A-13 Stats Page!

Overview – With this being a two-team district, there’s no surprise about who’s going to be playing for the district title. The teams held a dress rehearsal of sorts on Feb. 28 with Zion winning 13-3.

Zion Lutheran pitcher Alex Ernestine fueled the Lions that day. He had his ‘A’ game going, striking out 12 overall and the side in the second and fifth inning. Ernestine displayed great control, throwing many pitches for strikes and getting ahead of the hitters for the major part of the game, and he allowed only two walks and two hits. Ernestine helped his own cause by having a big day at the plate. He had three RBIs courtesy of a two-run home run in the first and a sacrifice fly in the second.

1. Zion Lutheran – The Lions have had an up-and-down season but have played a rather tough schedule as many of the teams Zion has faced have winning records. Among the teams Zion has faced off against are Westwood Christian, Coral Springs Christian, St. Brendan, Trinity Christian, Everglades, Pine Crest, Coral Springs Charter, Orangewood Christian, West Boca and Pope John Paul II. So Zion is battle tested if nothing else.

One of Zion’s biggest wins this year was against Coral Springs Charter. The Lions dominated that day, defeating the Panthers 8-1.

Offense is a strength for the Lions with a team batting average around .350 and five players who are hitting at least that well. They include Manny Rojas, Johnny Mendez, Alex Ernestine Nick Vasquez, Mike Rand. Rojas has scored more than 20 runs, and Ernestine has drive in more than that.

To complement his hitting, Ernestine also is the leader on the mound. He has throw more than 35 innings with at least 45 strikeouts and an ERA a little above 2.00.

Robert Barradas and Blayne Baker also have pitched a significant number of innings. Barradas has won at least five games and his ERA is around 1.40.

2. Sheridan Hills – The Sharks posted a record near .500 last year but have struggled this year despite the performance of returning players Thomas Davis, Jorge Hernandez, Jason Ketcherside, Marquis Rodriguez, Kyle Haskell, Eric Morla.

The Sharks have won just five games this season, beating Somerset Charter, Hillel, American Prep, Archbishop Curley and Berean Christian.

Sheridan Hills is hoping its finds success in the regional like it did last year. The Sharks beat Zion when it mattered most. Last season, Zion Lutheran dominated Sheridan Hills in three games, outscoring them 38-5, before the Sharks beat the Lions in the regional semifinals. Sheridan Hills lost in the next round.

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