Pace’s Offense Too Much For North Broward

Mother Nature decided to take a break Friday night and finally allowed the regional quarterfinals matchup between Monsignor Pace and North Broward Prep.

But Monsignor Pace didn’t take any breaks as they banged out 10 hits en route to a 10-3 victory to move into a regional semifinal against Coral Springs Charter. Pace will host the game — a rematch of last year’s semifinal that Pace won — at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“At this point, it’s all about winning and moving on,” Monsignor Pace Manager Tom Duffin said. “Surprising enough our hitters were able to swing the bat, despite the layoff. I’m happy that we were able to get the pitches when we needed them, and now just get W’s, that’s all it is.”

Jonathan Hernandez started on the mound for the Spartans and hit Brian Fagan with a pitch in the first inning, putting the Eagles in scoring position. Hernando Sierra followed with a single, bringing home Fagan for the first run of the game.

The Spartans retaliated in the bottom of the first when lead off hitter Brian Bermudez was hit by a pitch. David Palenzuela was then walked to first. Brandon Gomez hit a double, sending both runners home for a 2-1 lead. Then, Anthony De La Cruz connected with a pitch, sending it over the fence for a two-run home run. The Spartans broke out to a 4-1 lead and never looked back.

“I was in a 1-2 count, looking at a two strike approach, I just swung in and held on.” said De La Cruz. “I told my teammates we needed to start off with a bang and we were able to.”

The Eagles were able to bring in a run after Chad Fleischman struck a double in the top of the second inning and came home after an Eagles batter grounded out.

The Eagles’ Jared Schwait was hit by a pitch to lead off in the third inning. Sierrra followed with a shot to the outfield for a double, bringing home Schwait, and putting the Eagles within one run. But that would be as close as the Spartans would allow them to get.

Monsignor Pace batters took off in the third inning. Palenzuela led off with a single, and Gomez then hit a single of his own. The Eagles regrouped as starting pitcher Chad Fleischman struck out back-to-back batters and seemed to narrowly escape. However, the Spartans’ Austin Miro was able to grab a hold of a pitch for a single, bringing home Palenzuela. John Vicente emulated Miro with a RBI single, giving the Spartans a 6-3 lead.

Pace’s Andrew McCoy singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. Miro then cranked a deep shot to center field for a triple, sending McCoy home from first base. Miro was sent home after a balk was called on the Eagles reliever, giving Pace their eighth run of the game.

Trying to increase the lead, the Spartans’ Palenzuela held his bat at the plate and was walked. De La Cruz made it safely to first on a fielder’s choice. Miro again stepped up to the plate with runners in scoring position and two out in the inning. He hit a double splitting center and right field, bringing in Palenzuela and De La Cruz.

“I was just trying to do the best I could for my team,” Miro said. ” I was seeing the ball well, keeping my head on and driving it. Anytime we can produce runs is huge for our success.”

The Eagles found themselves down 10-3 in the top of the seventh inning, But Pace’s pitcher Luis Deville forced a ground out and two strikeouts to seal the victory for the Spartans.

I’m proud of my team, they came out here and battled and nobody thought we would be here,” said North Broward Prep Manager Brian Campbell. “It’s single elimination, and we played a team that came out and played better than us. They played better than us in every facet of the game. They’re a great team, and I wish them luck. Now we go into the summer and try and grow from here. Our goal is always to make it back to the final four.”

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