Garcia’s Gem Leads Westwood Christian To 4-1 Victory Over Canterbury

Claudio Rubiera will run through the wall if that is what it takes to help his Westwood Christian baseball team to be successful.

In Monday morning’s Class 2A state semifinal, the fiery first baseman backed up his claims by chasing down a foul ball for an impressive sliding catch against the infield fencing.

It was one of several key plays by the defense, including another impressive diving grab on a scorcher to first base from Rubiera.

Behind the stellar defense and a complete-game gem from left-hander Danny Garcia, Westwood Christian cruised to a 4-1 victory over Canterbury in a Class 2A state semifinal played at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie.

The Warriors (18-5) advance to face Deltona Trinity Christian Academy in today’s Class 2A championship after the Eagles (16-12) downed All Saints Academy 3-1 in Monday’s other 2A semifinal.

Making their first appearance in the state tournament, the Warriors find themselves one game away from the school’s first state championship.

“Words cannot describe this,” said left fielder Alex Hernandez. “We’re a family and we got to go to states together. But it’s still not over; we have one more game left.”

With a roster that is compiled of numerous transfers from other programs over the past few years, this group has grown from a collection of talented and unproven players to a cohesive, confident and capable baseball team.

“These kids bought into the program,” Warriors coach Luis Padron said. “These guys just work hard, and it is no miracle we are here. When you work hard you deserve to be here. Sometimes I have to tell them to slow down at practice they go at it so hard.”

Despite the magnitude of the moment, Westwood Christian remained composed and focused. The offense had productive at-bats, starting pitcher Danny Garcia controlled the tempo throughout, and the only error on the defense occurred when the fielder was simply trying to make a tough play on a well-hit ball.

An emotional coach Padron could not have been happier for his team, which came together after so many of them transferred to the school in hopes of seeing consistent playing time after often riding the bench with their former teams.

“They just work so hard; I see it everyday,” Padron said. “One mistake is not going to cost the game. You’ve just got to show you’re a team, but as an individual still do your job.”

Garcia delivered a stellar performance on the mound, throwing a complete-game three-hitter while recording seven strikeouts.

“He was throwing his curve ball for strikes, and once he gets you down, its tough,” Canterbury starting pitcher and leadoff hitter Jake Holsinger said.

The future Miami Hurricane was supposed to be held to a 100-pitch count, and he finished with 101 pitches.

“I knew he was near his limit, but I told myself ‘no, he’s got to finish it.’ He deserved to get the last out,” coach Padron admitted, after making the decision to leave his ace on the mound to close it out.

The Warriors jumped to an early 1-0 lead after leadoff hitter Robert Hernandez reached to second base on an outfield error. After Jean Cardenas moved Hernandez to third on a fielder’s choice groundout, Jose Suarez drove him in on an RBI fielder’s choice groundout.

Westwood Christian scored the decisive run on a controversial play at the plate in the top of the third inning. After Robert Hernandez and Cardenas led off with consecutive singles, Anthony Penas was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Alex Hernandez then lined a shot to the third baseman, who stepped on third base for the force-out and then fired the ball home to try and catch Robert Hernandez at the plate. Although the ball clearly fell out of the catcher’ glove on the play, the initial ruling was an inning-ending out that would have kept the game tied at 1-1.

But coach Padron lobbied the umpire to confer with the rest of his crew to confirm the ruling, at which point the call was reversed and the Warriors tallied the decisive run.

“We know the game. We respect the umpires, but we wanted the right call,” Padron said. “I’m so thankful that they had the right crew on the field. I’m thankful they know the game. I’m a fiery guy, but I just asked the field umpire to ask for help.”

Although ultimately this play would prove to be the turning point in the game, Canterbury coach Dave Smith did not object to the ruling.

“I hate to say, but they got the call right,” Smith admitted. “The umpire was in poor position, and he got help from the other two umpires. That was a big momentum swing for us. That’s why baseball is such a great game, because it’s so unpredictable.”

Westwood Christian tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the fourth, and then simply relied on their defense and pitching to close it out. Penas and Rubiera both finished 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base to lead the offense.

The Warriors executed in every facet of the game and proved that they belong in Tuesday’s championship.

“We preach family fundamentals and these kids picked up the message early on,” Padron said. “This team knows how to have a passion and respect for the game.”

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