Trujillo Pitches, Hits Cardinal Gibbons To 4A District 13 Title

Cardinal Gibbons starting pitcher Brenden Trujillo drove in a first-inning run and combined with Jack Campbell on a one-hitter to lift the Chiefs to a 2-1 win over Jensen Beach in the finals of the 4A District 13 Tournament on Thursday in Pompano.

“The district championship means a lot to our school,” said Cardinal Gibbons manager Jason Hamilton. “We have a proud tradition of winning championships and being successful in our baseball program. So, it really meant a lot to our seniors.

The Chiefs (20-4-2) enter regionals ranked #6 in Broward, “Our journey is not done yet. It’s really just begun and we look forward to opening up regional play next week.”

Trujillo came up with a clutch two-out RBI-single, scoring Randy Petron, in the Chiefs’ two-run first inning. Vynn Buerosse followed with an RBI-single, plating Nick Ragusa, a courtesy runner for Trujillo, and the Chiefs led, 2-0.

“Just as we’ve done all year long, we are opportunistic offensively and took advantage of our opportunity by coming through with two two-out base hits,” Hamilton said.

It proved to be enough firepower to lift the Chiefs to victory because Trujillo and Campbell were money on the mound. Trujillo worked the first 5.2 innings, striking out five while allowing just one hit and three walks. Campbell put out a bases-loaded fire in the sixth inning and then finished up with a final inning to record the save.

“Brendon had control of the strike zone the entire day,” Hamilton said. “Kept the guys off balance.”

In addition to singles by Trujillo, Petron and Buerosse, the Chiefs got one hit apiece from Bryce Faison, Jason Vazquez, and Eddie Marshall.

But Jensen Beach’s Vincent Cooke was also outstanding on the mound. The junior tossed a complete game, striking out six while walking just two and scattering six hits over six innings.

“Their starting pitcher threw very well for them,” Hamilton said. “We had him on the ropes in the third inning and again in the fourth inning but couldn’t knock him out. He was a bulldog and threw very well for them and kept them in the game.”

Ty Velardo (1-2) had a hit and walked to lead Jensen Beach on offense. The Falcons (16-12) rallied in the sixth inning to make it a one-run game. Walks to Jake Figman, Will Rader, and Velardo put the Falcons in business. A balk plated the lone Falcons’ run as they came one clutch hit away from a big inning.

“We played a really well-coached team today,” said Hamilton.

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