Westwood Gets Big District Win Over Miami Christian

Marco Morales pitched a three-hitter and Westwood Christian did enough on offense to survive a battle with Miami Christian and win 2-0 in a 2A-8 game Thursday. The teams were competing for the top spot in the district. The Warriors, who have won five in a row, are first in the district at 8-2. The Victors (9-9) follow at 7-3.

Westwood (12-4) got two runs in the top of the fourth for the only runs of the game. The Warriors loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Then Joel Alzugaray singled to right field to score a run. Westwood executed a suicide squeeze with Gabriel Rocher to score the second run.

Westwood Manager Julio Andrade said Morales, a freshman, “was forced into action today because our seniors were out on their school senior trip. They have been gone for two weeks. Marco was able to locate his fastball and throw his curve and change up for strikes. He only walked one. This was huge for us.”

Morales and relief pitcher Gabriel Rocher staged a duel with Miami Christian starter Orlando Ribalta and reliever Chris Otero, who combined to allow two hits.

Westwood went into the game knowing it was in a must-win situation, especially have lost 8-7 to Miami Christian in their last meeting on March 14th.

“We lost in the last inning to them last time and with our seniors gone this game was for 1st place in our district,” Andrade said. “My young guys stepped up today. Joel Alzugaray is a sophomore and the back up catcher. The starter is senior Matt Fernandez. We managed to go 3-0 without the seniors.”

Westwood may have managed just two hits Thursday, but the Warriors found a way to win just as they have during this streak.

“Our bats were silent today, but Peter Esposito, Steven Jimenez and Matt Fernandez have been huge for us offensively,” Andrade said. “Mathew and Nick Mejias have carried us on the mound. All games between Westwood, Miami Christian and Brito are hotly contested. And all of know we can’t sleep on Champagnat.”

Leave a comment using your facebook account!