Somerset Gains Big 4A-14 Win Over North Broward Prep

The last time Somerset took on North Broward Prep, they were held to just one run on four hits as their bats fell silent. Wednesday night, the Panthers’ bats were ever-present as they slapped extra-base hits all over the yard, leading to a 3-2 victory over North Broward.

“Just as a whole team we’re doing a better job hitting the ball,” said Somerset manager Onel Garcia. “We’re staying back well on curve balls, which we’ve been working on. In the last seven or eight games we’ve been scoring runs and hitting the ball well.”

In a district where five teams are all competing for playoff berths, district games such as these are more important than ever. Wednesday nights’ contest saw a lefty match up between North Broward’s Anthony Masiello, who earned the win against Somerset in their last meeting, and Somerset’s Alejandro Kan.

The Eagles led the game off with a one out walk from Mack Nathanson. He stole second, Kevin Thomas walked, and up came Catcher Edgar Badaraco, who promptly drove the second pitch he saw to right field, putting North Broward up early 1-0 in the first. The Eagles’ Masiello worked quickly through the first three innings, giving up a hit each inning but stranding all runners. His opponent, Kan faced three batters in the second and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the third. Kan faced adversity from his first pitch to his last, he worked diligently and was able to get key outs with runners on in every inning of work.

Kan worked into the fourth down a run as he settled in. Somerset finally struck in the 4th off A Mike Van Degna triple to deep center started the frame. North Broward’s Masiello then quickly recorded two outs, which brought up designated hitter Carlos Cartaya, who drove a 1-2 pitch into the gap for an RBI double, tying the game at 1-1. The next batter, Kenny Moreno-Costa, drove Cartaya in with a triple to put the Panthers up 2-1 through four.

North Broward threatened again in the fifth with a one out double by Mack Nathanson. He, however, was starnded at third as Kan worked out of the jam and retired the next two batters.

John Ham led the sixth off for Somerset with a walk, and that’s all the Eagles Masiello would face. Ham was immediately moved over by a Jack Khawly. Once again, Kenny Moreno-Costa drove another extra-base hit to left-center, plating his second RBI of the night with the double.

Kan then went into the 7th with the lead, hoping to convert a complete game. North Broward has other plans as nine-hole hitter Jake Emery led off the inning with a single. This would be the last batter Kan would face as he went six innings, only allowing one run on six hits.

Third-baseman John Ham took the ball in the 7th with one on and no out. Jared Schait got on base, as the Eagles threatened late. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, and an intentional walk loaded the bases. The atmosphere was electric, and the play that followed matched in the excitement. Eagles shortstop Kevin Thomas hit a sharp, fading line drive down the right field line, and for a few seconds, it looked like the ball might land fair, but Somerset left-fielder Christian Khawly made an athletic diving catch, leaping from fair territory and catching the ball just into foul territory. Emery tagged and scored and suddenly the Eagles were down just 3-2. Ham was able to work out of the jam by inducing a game-ending flyout to center.

Somerset improves to 5-3 in the district, while North Broward Prep now falls in a tie for first with Coral Springs Charter. Both teams have three district match-ups left this season and hope to make it out of what is again isone of the most competitive districts in Broward County this season.

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