Monsignor Pace Wins Back-and-Forth Slugfest Over St. Brendan

David Palenzuela went 4-for-5 with two RBI and Raphael Vazquez pitched five scoreless innings as the Monsignor Pace Spartans finally quelled the St. Brendan Sabres 8-7 in a see-saw, nine-inning tussle Thursday.

“That is what baseball is all about,” Monsignor Pace head coach Tom Duffin said. “This game was a tough one to lose on either side. It was a well-played game between two good teams. A back-and-forth battle that came down to (one last play).”

The Spartans and Sabres, both of whom secured a playoff spot in their respective divisions, were playing for just bragging rights. Bragging rights that members of both teams desired desperately.

“We just really wanted this one,” Sabres head coach John Wurst said. “They did a good job and are a well-coached team. It was a big game for us.”

Vazquez had his own motivation playing against his former team.

“I haven’t been nervous all year, but this game I got a little nervous before the game,” Vazquez said. “This is my old team, and they came to beat me. I beat them before and they’re a tough team.”

It didn’t come easy for Vazquez and the Spartans, who overcame a 4-1 first inning deficit and had the bases loaded with no outs up 8-6 in the bottom of the ninth. A tailor-made double play allowed a run to score and tensions to peak with the winning run at the plate. Luis Deville forced Henry Knez to pop out, however, and the crowd to exhale respective sighs of disgust and relief.

“Our pitchers kept us in the game and our defense bailed us out,” Palenzuela said. “It was a great effort from every part of the team.”

Alex Perez had a two-run double and Andrew McCoy knocked in a run for the Spartans. Palenzuela led off the ninth with his fourth hit of the game and stole second to get into scoring position. Brandon Gomez knocked in the go-ahead run and Aaron Soto added an RBI fielder’s choice that would prove to be the difference.

Dayan Cubas went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and Miguel Ceballos knocked in two runs to lead Pace.

The Sabres (17-5, 5-1 4A-16) close their regular season Monday against Coral Reef before starting what they hope will be a lengthy playoff run the following week.

The Spartans (16-6, 4-0 4A-14) host 13-8 Florida Christian on Tuesday before closing their regular season at home against a tough Palm Beach Gardens squad.

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