Manoah Guides South Dade To Regional Win Over Killian

When you lose a close game you look back and see what you did wrong or what you can change, and for the South Dade Buccaneers the answer was clear.

“The difference was Erik Manoah,” said Bucs Manager Fred Burnside, when asked what that difference was after the Bucs lost to the Cougars in the 8A-16 final. “Manoah didn’t pitch that game and he pitched today.”

With its ace on the mound, South Dade came out victorious by a score of 3-1 to put that district championship game into the past for good.

“The district final was a dog-fight,” said Manoah. “Coming in and beating them when it really counts that’s all that matters.”

During the seventh the Bucs came out aggressive and got the two runs they needed that proved enough to stay alive in the playoffs. Sergio Lopez led off the inning with a walk and the Bucs loaded the bases with one out and the top of the order at bat. Jori Rodriguez and Arturo Paula followed with back-to-back RBI singles that lifted the Bucs to victory.

“I was just looking to square up and make some contact,” said Rodriguez. “I was looking fastball away and I got it.”

Junior pitcher Vladimir Nunez got the start for the Cougars against Erik Manoah. Both pitchers showed the desire to win with good performances keeping their teams in the game. Manoah hurled the complete-game, two-hit effort, striking out eight.

“I said to myself before the game, ‘I’m going all the way’,” said Erik. “Unless it was something ridiculous like if I had 120 pitches. I said to myself this could be my last high school game, this game could’ve ended my career, so I’m going to go out there and pitch with all the heart that I can.”

Nunez countered with a five-inning, one-run outing.

“The jitters got to me a little,” said Nunez. ”Then I settled down and followed my game plan, pounding the zone and letting my defense work trying to keep my team in the game.”

The Bucs scored the game’s first run in the third inning, after Alek Manoah led off the frame with a single. After making his way to third, Alex scored on a two-out wild pitch.

The Bucs found themselves in potential scoring situations the next two innings against Nunez. During the fourth South Dade had a runner on second and no outs, and was erased on a heads up play by Cougars shortstop Freddy Zamora. During the fifth the Bucs managed to load the bases with one out and were unable to add to their lead on a line drive to right that was caught by Cougars right-fielder Daniel Cumba, who nabbed the runner on first for the double play.

The Cougars first threat came in the fourth inning, when Erik allowed his first hit to Cumba. Cumba advanced to second, and the Cougars had runners on first and second and no outs after a walk to Spencer Levine, but weren’t able to capitalize.

Nunez’s day was over after five strong innings when Manager Angel Herrera went to his bullpen and brought in right-hander Eddy Demurias.

“Vladimir Nunez gave us a tremendous start,” said Herrera. “Nunez put is in a position to win the ball game, he was phenomenal. You go through that batting lineup for five innings and have the success that he had and, being as competitive as he was, it takes a toll on anyone.”

During the fifth inning the Cougars were able to get on the scoreboard for their only run of the contest. With two outs Ryan Sabbag worked a walk and advanced to third after a wild pitch, and Sneaky Guzman came through with a two-out RBI. That would be the only damage done by the Cougars.

For the Cougars a successful season come to an abrupt end.

“There is no regrets,” said Herrera. “Searching for words to describe this feeling there is an emptiness there, but there is a lot of pride. For me it is an honor to be head coach at Killian Senior High School. If God himself would’ve told me I would win a state championship with a different group or lose here today with this one I‘ll lose here today with this group every day of the week and twice on Sunday.”

As a senior, Spencer Levine finishes his high school baseball career, but as he leaves he hopes to leave something to his younger teammates.

“There is just an empty feeling,” said Levine. “No way to explain it. I hope they are able to feed leadership by example. I’m not a guy that really talks a lot in the dugout but I try to go out and lead with my play. I hope that can carry one to the younger guys on this team.”

For the Bucs they get ready to play Flanagan in a regional final. This will be the first time these two teams face each other this year.

“Everyday in practice I tell my team to focus and take this process game by game, inning by inning,” said Erik. “We have one more game to go to reach the state tournament and this school has never been in a state tournament. Its right there for us; all we have to do is work extra hard and go play baseball.”

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