Eagles, Suns Split Doubleheader With Walk Offs

A 6:00 PM start to first finish a game that was already in the top of the 11th was just the beginning to a hard-fought night. In a mini double-header Calvary and University combined to play 10 innings Thursday, and 20 innings in total between both district games.

Calvary prevailed 1-0 to win the first tilt, and the Suns answered back with an 8-5 decision to take the second game of these important 4A-14 contests.

The first contest started at Calvary Christian back on March 4th, and after 10 innings and a 0-0 tie, play was halted due to darkness. Thursday night, at Nova Southeastern University the two teams met again, to finish that one and turn around for another.

“It was a great game, a lot of defensive plays in that game kept it 0-0 and two great arms, starting with Tommy Taborda whose playing third base tonight did a great job on the mound,” said Suns Manager Dan Rovetto. “Fred Sulton was unbelievable throughout the whole first game. Tonight I feel like we kind of gave it to them. They put pressure on us, the ball basically didn’t leave home plate and we lost the game. Tough one to swallow in game one for us.”

It was an equal sentiment for the Eagles following the second game.

“I think we are playing better, and we have some things we need to get better with,” said Calvary Manager Gregg Mucerino. “I thought it was critical when we won that first one, and the momentum would carry. It did, we had a three run lead and we just lost it. That’s unfortunate but its baseball, we have a couple more district games left and we will get ready for the next one.”

In day one of the first game the Sun’s Fred Sultan gave them the start they were looking for, throwing eight innings, allowing no runs on three hits. Sultan struck out 14 and walked none. Matching his eight innings, the Eagles Tommy Taborda struck out four, allowed three hits and no runs.

In the bottom of the ninth Evan McKendry came in relief of Sultan in an effort to keep the Eagles scoreless. Facing adversity early and the dark skies settling, Colin Majewski singled for the Eagles. Brett Lawson sacrificed Majewski to scoring position with a hope of ending the game in the 10th. McKendry struck out the next batter, and produced a fly-out to extend the game another day.

When play resumed Thursay, Evan McKendry picked up where he left off on the mound facing, Calvary’s Andrew Gottfried. Gottfried responded with seven strike outs and no walks to help preserve the shut out.

Connor Rowland’s legs then led to the walk-off victory. Rowland drew a two-out walk and stole second on the first pitch, third to follow, and then also came home on a ball in the dirt. Having the green light Rowland took advantage and swiped third a few pitches later. On a ball that barely got away from the catcher, Rowland sprinted home and beat the tag by McKendry to finally put an end to this epic battle.

“It was agony out there tonight,” said Rowland. “When I got on first base, Brett Lawson hung in there at the plate, which allowed me to steal second, then third. Then laying off that nasty pitch in the dirt and I was able to score.”

The regular scheduled bout began 20 minutes after the conclusion of game one and again the home team came out victorious, as the Suns (11-9, 5-5) evened the night with their win.

Sultan took the mound for game two and despite a hectic second inning, he was able to shut the Eagles down for the second time in as many chances.

“I think I had a lot better of a start that first time,” Sultan said about his two meetings with the Eagles this season. “I battled real well and I was hitting everything. Everything was on, but today not so much. I had to battle more and work for those outs, I did the best I could and the defense played well behind me.”

In the first, the Suns jumped out to an early lead after back-to-back singles from Daniel Epstien and Evan McKendry. Evan Klugerman hit a sac fly to right to break their 14-inning scoring drought against the Eagles pitching staff.

The Eagles answered back in the second taking advantage of mishaps from the defense. Nick Benevento started the inning off with a double to left field. After a sac bunt from Majewski, Winn Allen singled to drive in the first of four runs for the Eagles.

Tyler Ray came up with the bases loaded and drove in a run on a sac fly to right to extend the lead. A few batters later Gottfried singled and Lane scored giving them a 4-1 edge.

Sultan battled back after the second and vowed to keep his team in the ball game. Keeping true to his word he kept the Eagles scoreless through the next three innings, giving his team an opportunity to even the score.

In the home half of the fifth, Noah Yager allowed a single and walk to give the Suns a chance to get back in the game. Alex Berizzi came in relief of Yager in hope to put out the fire. Evan McKendry tripled to left to drive in both runs and cut the lead to one. Klugerman delivered another sac fly and tied the game at four, his second sacrifice flyout of the night.

The Suns sent five more batters to the plate but were only able to squeeze out one more run in the fifth, to give them a 5-4 lead.

As the teams played ping-pong all evening, Calvary answered right back in the sixth. Allen singled up the middle for a leadoff hit. With two-outs, Josh Lane hit a ball to center that dropped and allowed Allen to score and even the game back up at six.

In Broward County no-inning is aloud to start after 10:00 PM, and the clock was ticking for these two teams. The Suns came to bat in the bottom of the sixth with about 20 minutes left on the unofficial clock.

Epstein and McKendry led off the inning with a walk and a single to force Calvary back to the bullpen. Tyler Ray came in hoping to get out of the jam. Klugerman drew a walk which loaded the bases for Brendan McKendry. Brendan cleared the bases with a double to right center to account for the winning runs.

“Lefties have kind of been my weakness all year,” Brendan admitted. “I haven’t hit been able to hit well against them in districts and it seems like were always facing them. It might be my first hit against a lefty and it felt good to hit a two-strike fastball over the second baseman’s head.”

A few batters later the game was called due to time, and University received the win to even the season series and also the day.

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