Keltz Gem Powers Somerset Past Rival Marathon

It was a rough first week for the Somerset Academy Charter squad, as they dropped their first two games to iMater and Killian. That sent them into week two of the 2025 season needing to turn things around quickly.

When faced with those situations, teams are often looking for a player to give them a spark. On Tuesday, that spark came for the Stallions in the form of Braden Keltz. The junior threw a complete game, scattering only five hits, and giving up one run, as Somerset defeated their rivals, Marathon, 6-1, for their first win of the season.

“It was a well-executed offensive performance that we have been working on at practice, but the offense was really overshadowed by Braden’s pitching performance today,” said Manager Pete Cerda. “The goal today was to get him in rhythm early, which he did, and once he gets in that rhythm, he is tough to beat.”

The Stallions offense did much of their damage in this one early.

In the first, after a two-out error put Dylan Beaton on base, Cole Cutrer put the Stallions up 1-0 with a base hit to center.

In the second, Somerset added another run on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Asher Grafals.

After the Dolphins scored their only run of the game off Keltz in the third, the Stallions offense went back to work. Beaton led off the inning with a single, followed by a Cutrer walk. A Brian Oliva single would give Somerset the lead back at 3-1.

Keltz then helped his own cause, with a two-run triple to right-field.

“We did it the old-fashioned way today offensively, bunting, moving the runners over, and sacrifice flies. Then Keltz’ triple gave us the insurance runs we needed,” said Cerda.

From there, Keltz went into cruise control for the Stallions, closing out the game with four shutout innings, previewing what Cerda is hoping to see the rest of the season from his junior right-hander.

“Striking out 10 guys today shows what he is capable of. We are excited for many more big performances from him as this season moves on.”

Not only was this the first win for the Stallions, but the first win in the South Florida Conference.

The turnaround for the Stallions will be quick, as they head out on the road to face an undefeated Ransom Everglades team on Thursday, before coming back home for another rivalry game versus Coral Shores.

As for Marathon, they will get the first shot at Coral Shores on Thursday, before a home game against Riviera Prep to finish out the week. The Dolphins got their first win of the season last week when they defeated Somerset South.

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