North Broward Prep Holds On To Defeat Pine Crest

In a 4A-14 semifinal that saw three home runs blasted and 18 hits, North Broward edged Pine Crest 6-5 at Nova Southeastern University Wednesday night.

The top-seeded Eagles will face Chaminade-Madonna in the district championship game, and both also move on to the regional playoffs next week.

Despite a big day of offense, it was some unfortunate miscues that tallied the decisive run for the Eagles. Mack Nathanson reached to second base on a throwing error, and eventually came in to score on a pair of passed balls.

North Broward starter Alex Ernestine set the tone for the day with a two-run home run in the first that also scored Jared Schwait and gave the Eagles a 2-0 edge. Ernestine added a double and scored his second time up in the order.

“He’s our most productive hitter,” said North Broward Manager Brian Campell of Ernestine’s performance at the plate. “He’s been getting on base, hitting for power and producing with the bat, and tonight was no different. I have so much confidence in him when he’s up at the plate.” 

Hernando Sierra quickly singled, and shortstop Kevin Thomas was hit by a pitch. Edgar Badaraco then blooped a single into shallow left-center that held runners and left the bases loaded for Max Tannenbaum. Max worked a 3-1 count and drove a base hit to right-center that scored both Sierra and Thomas, putting North Broward up 4-0 heading into the second.

But in this game no lead was safe. The two clubs battled back and forth to load up the scoreboard and keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Pine Crest’s Adam Saks lead things off for the Panthers and quickly halted North Broward’s momentum with an solo shot to left field, putting Pine Crest on the board 4-1. Matt Rothenberg scored in the third to help the Panthers creep closer, as he led off with a double and scored on an RBI double from Brady Acton. Alex Perez followed to also double and plate Acton.

North Broward also continued to swing the bats, going back up by three runs at 6-3 heading into the sixth inning.

Pine Crest again was down, but by no means out. For the sixth consecutive inning, the leadoff hitter for the Panthers got on base when Jacob Singer walked. Matt Rothenberg came up and worked the pitcher before he drove the eighth pitch of the at bat for a base hit, putting two on with two out for junior Griffin Conine. Conine drove the second pitch he got deep into right, where North Broward right fielder Brian Fagan turned and watched it leave the yard, tying the game at 6-6.

Pine Crest came out optimistic in the seventh, but Max Tannenbaum shut the Panthers’ offense down as he worked a 1-2-3 seventh, acquiring the win after coming on to relieve Ernestine in the sixth.

“It’s not hard for Max,” said Campbell. “He’s got a laid back personality and nothing really shakes him. I don’t think he ever got shaken up. The home run in the sixth was a huge play for Pine Crest, but he was able to lock down the last inning and get us the win. We knew it was going to be a fight coming in because Pine Crest is a good team. From top to bottom they are a good team and Coach Shealy does a great job over there. We made a run, they made a run. It was one of those games where the team who made the last run won.”

Pine Crest was resilient all year and looks to improve next season in Manager Ryan Shealy’s second year.

“We had an outstanding senior class this year, and I knew that going into the year, said Shealy. “We got bit by the injury bug real early in the year so this team has been battling all year long. We had a lot of young players out there and all you can ask of the guys is to battle. My seniors were outstanding this year, but the future is bright and I’m looking forward to next year. I couldn’t be more proud of their effort, and they really left it all out on the field tonight.”

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