- ERNIE PADRON, Miami Florida Christian coach on how his team scored two runs in the seventh to defeat Ocala Trinity Catholic 2-1
PLAYERS OF THE DAY
West Palm Beach Summit Christian rightfielder John Marks went 1-for-4. But his hit, a two-run triple in the fifth, was key in a 3-1 victory over Jacksonville Eagle's View. Marks scored on a single two batters later.
Florida Christian leftfielder J.C. Perez went 2-for-4 and drove in the winning run with a single in the seventh. Eric Hortsmann earned the win for Florida Christian, allowing five hits, striking out four and walking two in a complete game.
Lake Worth Trinity Christian rightfielder Lou Savastano went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a sacrifice bunt and a pinpoint throw to third that cut down a Winter Haven All Saints' runner to end the game, preserving a 6-4 victory.
PLAYER OF DAY
In Florida Christian's victory, freshman third baseman Kyle Radziewski, starting for the first time, started three double plays: 5-4-3, 5-4-3 and 5U-3. Translated, he threw to the second baseman to start two and stepped on third to start the other. On another shot down the line, Radziewski made a diving stab, popped up and gunned down the runner at first. Florida Christian's regular third baseman, Stephen Rodriguez, was out with a ligament pull sustained during the region final. Radziewski, who entered 0-for-5 for the season, also went 1-for-3 with a double and scored the tying run in the seventh.
EXPLAIN IT AGAIN, PLEASE
All Saints' turned a triple play in its loss. But it did it in one of the strangest ways possible. With runners on first and second, the ball was bunted back to the pitcher. The pitcher threw to first base. The first baseman threw out the runner sprinting home from second. The catcher, believing the play was over, threw the ball to the pitcher, who started walking back to the mound. The bunter, believing he was called out at first, was returning to the dugout between the pitcher's mound and home plate. His coach then yelled to him to return to first because the coach believed the umpire called him safe. The pitcher ran after the bunter and missed him halfway up the first-base line. Meanwhile, the runner who started at first was sprinting around second and was gunned out by the pitcher. The umpire then ruled the bunter out, completing the triple play.
ATTENDANCE
The first day, featuring Class A and 2A games, drew 2,316 fans. The early session (10 a.m. and 1 p.m. games), drew 1,035, and the evening session (4 p.m. and 7 p.m. games), drew 1,281.
TODAY'S GAMES
CLASS A FINAL
WHO: Summit Christian (20-9) vs. Trinity Christian (26-3)
WHEN: 4 p.m.
THE SKINNY: Both teams had relatively easy victories Monday, but Trinity had to use three pitchers before sealing its spot in the final. Summit will start Brian Jones (4-2, 3.11 ERA) or Fernando Canas (4-3, 4.80 ERA). Trinity has as many as four pitchers ready to go.
CLASS 2A FINAL
WHO: Florida Christian (21-10) vs. Tallahassee North Florida Christian (27-3)
WHEN: 7 p.m.
THE SKINNY: Florida Christian's probable starter is Kyle Preshong (8-2, 1.64 ERA). North Florida Christian used its top two pitchers, Miles Rankin (7-1, 3.35 ERA) and Bill Gilbert (8-1, 1.44 ERA), Monday. Freshman Matt Miller (5-0, 1.09 ERA) will start, but Rankin and Gilbert will be available.
