Miami Springs Takes Down Reagan In A District Battle

The Miami Springs Golden Hawks and Reagan Bison met at the Hawks’ home field on Tuesday afternoon. The game pitted two members of the powerhouse District 8A-14. The story of the game came from the Miami Springs side of the field, where the Golden Hawks came out 5-1 victors on the wings of a quick, early strike.

The first two innings were uneventful. Though the Bison showed warning track power with deep flies by Raul Cortes and Brandon Romero, the innings breezed by in a flurry of quick outs.

The third inning ended up being the fateful, three-run inning that decided the game. Hawks’ second baseman Julio Mendez started the run off with a nicely laid-down bunt, reaching first on a tough play for the pitcher. Angel Diaz followed suit with another textbook bunt, opening the door for things to get hectic.

“We’re a young team and we’re going to rely on our small ball for the whole season,” said Miami Springs coach Jason Morris.

Albert Rivera and Darian Salazar followed the two bunts with two doubles. Rivera’s ground-rule double brought in one, and Salazar’s blast brought in two.

And in the blink of an eye, the Golden Hawks were up three runs. They added a fourth insurance run thanks to Gerald Reyes stealing his way around the diamond.

On the defensive side of the ball, field both teams received strong pitching performances.

For Miami Springs, Madison Krietner only gave up one hit over four innings. For Reagan, Franklin Reyes gave up four runs but shut down the Hawks after their middle inning onslaught.

Though the game was broken open, the Bison still put forth a strong effort. First they threatened in the third. After a leadoff single by Raul Cortes, their attempt to load the bases and make a substantial threat was foiled by a Krietner pickoff of Cortes.

“It’s a district game. The stakes are higher, so everything’s got to be amped up,” said Reagan coach Jessy Rodriguez about his team’s comeback effort.

Then in the fourth, the Bison put two baserunners on again, only to have their run ended by Gerald Reyes’ impressive putout at third base.

Kenny Fontan and Raciel Crespo came in as relief duty for Krietner, finishing the Bison off. Reagan ended on a bright spot though as pinch-hitter Andres Castillo ripped a double, bringing in Sergio Santana for the Bison’s lone run and the final one of the game.

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