HSBN Game Of The Week: University At North Broward

It was less than two weeks ago when North Broward Prep and University School squared off in a 4A-13 match-up. The Suns got the better of the Eagles that night, and now the rematch is set for this Saturday in an HSBN Broward Game of the Week.

The host Eagles will be looking to rebound from a tough stretch where they have lost eight of their past nine. North Broward started to turn things around towards the end of Spring Break with a 2-1 win over St. Brendan.

“We’ve had a tough go lately, and when you’re losing it seems everything that can go wrong does go wrong,” Eagles Manager Brian Campbell said. “We’ve had a tough time putting it all together lately and this will test our resolve. It’s kind of sink or swim for us. But the guys are excited and we just hope we come out and perform in a way that is deserving of a game of this status.”

After starting the season with two straight district wins, the Eagles have lost their past five in district play.

“We’ve been preaching to them that it’s never too late, and getting a district win would be a nice boost,” said Campbell.

University, on the other hand, has gone the other way. After hitting rock bottom with a 21-0 loss to Benjamin, followed by two losses in its next three games, the Suns have suddenly caught fire, winning seven of their past eight coming into this week.

“The team attitude is in a good place,” Suns Manager Eddie Tisdale said. “We’re proving we can play with just about anybody. We’re not young, but we’re inexperienced. We need to rise up or else go down the drain, and we’re excited about having the spotlight game.”

The schedule will not be kind to either team heading into the Game of the Week.

North Broward Prep has district battles with Cardinal Gibbons and Somerset before Saturday. University will play out-of-town team Bishop Snyder and district foe Coral Springs Charter.

University currently sites atop the district with an 8-1 record, holding a two-game lead over Cardinal Gibbons. The top spot in the district is as important in 4A-13 as it is in any district, with only the number one seed getting a bye into the second round.

“We’re fortunate that we’re looking in the rearviewmirror at everybody else right now,” said Tisdale. “We still dictate our own fortunes. The last thing we want is for it to be based on what somebody else does. Everybody is so evenly matched and talented, so nobody is real spread out.”

The Eagles will be looking to reverse their recent slide. North Broward sits at 2-5 in the district, but is only two games behind Gibbons for second. The district was expected to be highly competitive, and that is evidenced in the fact that with only three weeks of games left, two games separates positions two through six.

“It’s a district game and those are always important,” Campbell said. “I respect the job Eddie is doing and the position we will be in. The kids want to go out and win it, and hopefully it will help right the ship so we play better baseball.”

North Broward Prep’s AJ Fidalic leads the district in strikeouts with 26. Offensively, Mack Nathanson and Hernando Sierra are tied for third in the district with two home runs. Drew Rangel leads the Eagles with 12 RBIs, while Nathanson’s .436 average leads the team.

For the Suns, Shane Wise leads the district with a 0.84 ERA. Teammate Freddie Sultan is second at 1.26, and Mike White is fifth with an ERA of 2.36.

White also leads the way offensively, sporting a .458 average, good for fourth in the district. Evan Klugerman is hitting .424 for University. Sebastian Diaz provides the speed for the Suns, with nine stolen bases.

With the Suns’ high-powered offense going to work in a hitter’s park such as North Broward Prep’s, Tisdale is ready for his team to stay aggressive and attack the baseball.

“They throw a lot of fastballs in that park, so we’ve got to get at them,” Tisdale said. “Brian’s done a fantastic job and they are so fundamentally sound. They don’t lose much at their park and they are always ready to play there. It will be a fun game and we’re excited to be a part of it.”

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