#2 Douglas Walks Off #1 NBP On Benestad Home Run

Niko Benestad belted a walk-off two-run homer to lift Stoneman Douglas to a dramatic 6-5 comeback victory over visiting North Broward Prep on Tuesday. In a battle of Broward’s top two teams, it was the #2 Stoneman Douglas Eagles (16-5) that rallied from a 4-0 deficit to topple the #1 North Broward Prep Eagles (17-3).

Benestad crushed a 1-1 pitch to center field with one out in the seventh inning, scoring Rylan Lugo (2-4, RBI, run), who singled one batter earlier.

Stoneman Douglas erased a four-run deficit with three runs in the fourth and the tying run in the fifth inning.

“It was good to see the guys show some resiliency and stay the course the entire game,” said Douglas manager Todd Fitz-Gerald. “It was competitive, clean and fun to be a part of.”

The comeback began with an RBI-double by Gavin Gargiulo that scored Bennett Gary, who opened the fourth inning with a single. Ethan Askin lifted a sacrifice fly, plating Nick Diaz, who also singled, and Erick Torres made it 4-3 with an RBI-single that chased home Gargiulo.

Lugo tied the game an inning later with a single that brought in Alex Rodriguez, who reached on an error.

North Broward Prep regained the lead in the sixth inning on a solo home run by TJ Gramesty III. They had seemingly built a comfortable lead with a run in the second, two more in the third, and another in the fourth inning. A two-run single by Nik Koorse highlighted the early fireworks. Gian De Castro and Riley Luft scored on the play.

Kiernan O’Neall tripled and scored on a wild pitch an inning later and North Broward Prep had things going their way.

But Stoneman Douglas rallied and snapped the opposing Eagles’ seven-game win streak.

“Hats off to Stoneman Douglas,” said North Broward Prep manager Brian Campbell. “They played a great game. I’m proud of our guys, and games like this will make us better for the playoffs.”

Breylynn Courtney pitched well in relief for Stoneman Dougals, recording four outs, all on strikeouts. Jaden Dubanewicz got the win in relief. The senior right-hander threw two innings, allowing just two hits and one run. He walked three and struck out three.

Max Burkholz delivered two of North Broward Prep’s eight hits, and scored a run.

Stoneman Douglas faces another top-ranked team next on its schedule. The Eagles visit Miami-Dade #1 Doral Academy for a 4 p.m. game Friday.

North Broward Prep looks to get back into the win column when it hosts Pembroke Pines Charter at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

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