Taravella Rallies Late To Shock Gulf Coast
Marcus Crespo steals home to score the go-ahead run for the Trojans in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Taravella Trojans continue to be centered around pitching and defense. But Tuesday night it was the offense that made the difference, as the Trojans rallied late for a 9-3 comeback victory over the visiting Gulf Coast Sharks. Taravella scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to gain the lead, and then added five runs in the sixth to extend the margin.
Taravella (7-3) has now won four straight, this last coming against a dangerous Sharks team that also stands at 7-3 on the season.
“It wasn’t pretty but it’s my type of baseball,” Trojans Manager Joe Giummule said. “It was a grind-it-out type of game, putting pressure on the other team, doing the little things offensively and making plays when it matters.”
The Trojans got offensive contributions from everyone, as sophomore Jake Miller was the only Trojan to collect multiple hits by going 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI. Senior Javier Miranda also had two RBI.
The turning point for the Trojans came after they had rallied to erase a two-run deficit and even things up at 3-3 in the fifth. Gulf Coast made a pitching change to a left-hander with runners on the corners, and Giummule gave his guys the green light to attempt to steal home. Sophomore Marcus Crespo executed the play so perfectly that he swiped home without a throw. By the time the reliever stepped off the mound to address the runner off first Crespo had already scored.
A.J. Perry earned the victory with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief.
Giummule has a deep bag of plays for most every baseball situation, and most times his guys respond well when they get to use one. That was again the case this time, as Taravella carried that momentum back to the plate in the sixth and piled on five more runs that effectively sealed the victory.
Crespo walked to again provide his presence on the base paths and Mikael Ghann then reached on a bunt single. Crespo was erased on a fielder’s choice that put Tyler Morgan at first, as Colton Dishman then came on to run for Morgan. Ghann came home on a passed ball, A.J. Perry drew an RBI walk and an infield error opened up the flood gates to allow two more runs to score. Miranda then also worked a bases-loaded walk to drive in their final run.
“We were missing four starters tonight in the lineup and other guys got opportunities and made the most of them. Two guys came into the game without having an at bat on the year, so I’m proud of them for stepping up,” Giummule said.
Gulf Coast drew first blood by taking a 1-0 lead on an error that allowed John Kacinas to score in the third. After Taravella answered back to even it up thanks to an RBI single from Miranda in the bottom of the frame, the Sharks answered back with two runs in the fourth that put them back on top.
With two outs, Kacinas got it going with a base hit to center, and Will Kramer followed with a single to left.Louis Marsala then delivered an RBI single on a liner to third, and Payton Hale pushed across another run with an RBI knock to left.
Anthony Tizol made the start for the Trojans, allowing two earned runs with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.
But the Trojans continued to grind, and only allowed three more base runners the rest of the way. A.J. Perry picked up the win in relief, going two-and-a-third scoreless innings. He allowed a hit and two walks, and had two strikeouts.
Like the rest of the Trojans, he did his part.
“We were selfish early in the season, but are starting to buy in,” Giummule said.
Contact - About - Advertising - Disclaimer - Copyright © 2018 HSBN Broward - All Rights Reserved
