South Miami’s Ernesto Pino Dominates Southwest

For the South Miami Cobras, the streak is over.

After losing 14 consecutive District 8A-15 games dating back to last season, the Cobras broke the unfortunate streak behind a lights-out performance by starting pitcher Ernesto Pino. The senior ace went the distance for the complete-game shutout and a big 3-0 victory over Southwest, in a contest played at Andre Dawson Field at Southwest High.

“The story of the game is Pino. This whole game is Pino,” South Miami Manager Denis Pujals said. “He had control of his fastball, of his change-up. He was in control the whole game.”

The win was truly a game of redemption. In Pino’s previous start, he gave up five earned runs and lost against Braddock. But he managed to reestablish his dominance against the Eagles (1-5, 1-2). Meanwhile, senior infielder Joseph Fernandez had one hit in his previous 10 at-bats, before driving in the game’s three runs with a bases-clearing triple in the fourth inning. Fernandez finished the night with two hits.

Pino had his fastball and his command on display all night, leading to him punching out eight batters.

“That first-pitch strike gives you such an advantage,” Pino said. “Once I am ahead in the count, I can pick and choose different ways I can attack the plate.”

Pino ran into some trouble in the bottom of the third inning when he had runners on first and third and one out. But he battled back by inducing a soft grounder to first and striking out the final batter.

“The third inning was tough, but we battled together to get out of it,” Pino said. “Then the next inning the team scored three runs, so there was no way we could lose the game then.”

That inning served as the turning point of the game. The Cobras (3-4, 1-2) scored their three runs in the top of the fourth, and Pino retired the next 12 consecutive batters to put an exclamation point on the pitching gem.

“He had a rough outing against Braddock, and he even said he wanted to come back and show that he is good enough to dominate again,” Pujals said.

Senior third baseman Emilio Borges got the rally started by roping a double down the third baseline and hustling to second, just beating the throw from left field. Perry Wilson followed with a single to left field. Eagles starting pitcher Andres Fletes struck out the next two batters looking before facing senior infielder Anthony Hernandez, who battled off a series of tough pitches to eventually draw a walk. That set the table for Fernandez to clear the bases.

“I was just thinking to drive them in and do whatever I can do to possibly give my team a victory,” Fernandez said. “I went home after every tough game and worked more until I got where I am now.”

On the other side of the mound, Fletes had a strong outing in allowing just the three runs. He ended the night with six innings pitched and eight strikeouts of his own.

For the Cobras, earning their first district win could not have come at a better time. It may be the momentum they need heading towards back-to-back games against strong district opponents in Coral Gables and Coral Park.

“We had to win this game, ” Pino said. “It had been a year since we won against our district, and it just couldn’t keep happening.”

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