Goleman Takes Down Miami Springs in 8A District 14 Semifinals

The Barbara Goleman Gators advanced to the 8A District 14 finals after hammering seven hits to beat Miami Springs 8-4 on Monday.

The Gators will face Coral Gables on Thursday night in the title game and they will be looking to avenge a loss to the Cavaliers the last time the two teams met.

That was also the situation yesterday, as the Gators lost 6-3 the last time they played Miami Springs, but they were able to capitalize with runners in scoring position on Monday afternoon after loading the bases four times.

The Gators’ Jonathan Jhones drove in the first run of the game in the second inning after his single dropped just past the first baseman, bringing in Michael Barreneche from third. The Gators loaded the bases after Rolando Martinez was hit by a pitch. Power-hitter Carlos Sosa came up swinging for the fences but this time he walked, bringing in Erick Delgado for the Gators’ second run.

Miami Springs was held scoreless through the first four innings, but Madison Krientner singled to left field and found his way to third after a wild pitch in the fifth. Julio Mendez grounded to the shortstop for the second out of the inning, but not before Krientner came home for Miami Springs’ first run of the day.

The Gators had only two hits in their half of the fifth inning, but they scored five runs. Sosa was walked for the third time to start the frame and he came home on a single by Barreneche. With the bases loaded, Kevin Gomez hit a line drive to left field that was misplayed by Miami Springs, which allowed three runs to be scored and Gomez to get to third. Delgado then brought in Gomez with a sacrifice fly.

With only two innings left, Miami Springs was six runs behind. But in the sixth Austin Voeller tripled, driving in two runs and sparking a rally for the Golden Hawks. Gerald Reyes brought in Voeller with a sacrifice fly to right field for the third run of the inning, but Michael Barreneche climbed the mound to relieve the Gators starting pitcher Jorge Jaramillo and quickly put an end to the threat, forcing a pop-up and then getting a strikeout.

Miami Springs ventured to crawl back into contention in fear of ending their season, but Sosa shut the door in the bottom of the sixth with his solo home run falling far behind the left-field wall, giving Goleman an 8-4 lead and putting the game out of reach for Miami Springs.

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