Game Of The Week: North Broward At University

They’ve been district rivals only since 2012 when the Florida High School Athletic Association shook things up by adding two classifications, going up to 8A, but North Broward Prep and University School square off as if they’ve been foes for years.

Friday night, in the High School Baseball Network Broward Game of the Week, the two 4A-14 teams will put that rivalry in the spotlight. The game is set for 7 p.m. at University’s home field, Nova Southeastern University.

The teams split with North Broward winning 2-0 and University coming back 3-1 during their first year as district rivals. Last year, North Broward lost 3-0 and 13-12 before earning a 5-4 victory when it mattered most, in the district semifinal.

This season, both teams are hungry for wins not just against each other but in general as each has a 2-3 record. They both have a district loss, which means winning Friday is even more important to keep from falling too far behind in the district standings.

North Broward Prep has suffered a few big losses, 10-0 to Archbishop McCarthy to start the season Feb. 11 and 11-0 to Pine Crest a week later. They also fell to Douglas 5-2 on Wednesday. But the Eagles have beaten Suncoast 7-3 and Coral Springs Christian 7-3.

Anthony Masiello, Edgar Badaraco, Christian Manero and Hernando Sierra collected hits against Suncoast. Badaraco’s hit was a home run. Brian Fagan earned the win.

Alex Ernestine paved the way for the win over the Crusaders as he went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Kevin Thomas and Jared Schwait each had two hits. Schwait scored twice, and Thomas drove in two runs. Manero was the winning pitcher.

Before North Broward can even think about Friday’s game against University, it has to keep its mind on Tuesday’s district opponent Coral Springs Charter, which comes into the matchup unbeaten at 4-0.

The Suns also have played a competitive schedule to start the season and outside of a 9-2 loss to Palm Beach County power Park Vista in the opener Feb. 10, they have held their own. University lost by a run to Cardinal Gibbons before getting its first win, 10-1 against Zion Lutheran. University suffered a district loss 4-1 to Chaminade-Madonna in eight innings Thursday before topping previously unbeaten Westminster Academy 6-1 Friday.

Evan Klugerman and Brendan McKendry had two hits and drove in two runs each in the win over Zion. Jesse Crosno struck out seven in his four innings on the mound to get the win.

Klugerman and McKendry also had two hits in the loss to Chaminade. Fred Sultan threw seven innings, allowing no earned runs on two hits.

McKendry continued his torrid hitting pace against Westminster with three hits. Danny Epstein also had three hits, and Crosno struck out six in six innings.

University has to play two games this week before Friday’s spotlight game against North Broward. The Suns will take on Hialeah Educational Academy on Wednesday before hosting Pine Crest for a district game Thursday.

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