Miami Christian Negates Late Brito Comeback With Huge Bottom Of Sixth

Frank Deizagurre had three hits, the last of which carried past the outfielder in the bottom of the sixth to score the go-ahead run, as the Miami Christian Victors negated a late Brito comeback to advance to the district finals with a 9-7 win Tuesday.

“I felt like I got under the pitch,” Deizagurre said. “I sort of had to hesitate rounding the bases, but  the wind made it keep carrying.”

The Victors led for most of the game until a five-run top of the sixth tied the game at seven. The game-tying run scored on a controversial call at the plate that seemed to be out by a mile. Miami Christian was eliminated by Brito in last year’s district playoffs on a similar play.

“We weren’t going to let it happen again,” said closer Rich Barbella, who failed to hold the lead in the sixth, but pitched a scoreless top of the seventh to secure the win. “We came together and played like a team.”

The Victors got contributions from up and down the lineup. Top-of the-order batters David Selguerro, Luis Diaz and clean-up hitter Deizagurre each had an RBI, while hitters No. 8 and No. 9, Miguel Gonzalez and Anthony Diaz, knocked in a run each.

“Our season has been up-and-down,” assistant coach Ivan Chavez told HSBN following the game. “We are finally learning how to win tight games, by playing as a team.”

Led by their seniors, the Panthers put up a tough challenge, even getting the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh. Barbella, however, would get the final batter to pop-up and end the Panthers’ threat.

“We are a younger team, still learning as we go along,” athletic director and Panthers’ assistant coach Lazaro Fundora said. “This is the first time in 15 years we will not be involved  in the district finals.”

It wouldn’t be for a lack of effort from the Panther seniors, who finished with more than half of Brito’s hits. Catcher Bryan Hernandez played a solid game behind the plate, had two hits and was hit by a pitch twice.  Henry Blanco added two hits and drew a bases-loaded walk that helped power the five-run comeback in the sixth for Brito (11-12, 1-3 2A-15).

“Our seniors have carried the team all year,” Fundora continued. “Throughout the years, we’ve seen them mature not only as ball players – but as human beings.”

Miami Christian (11-11) and its seniors get to keep playing, facing Westwood in the district finals Thursday.

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