Pace Rebounds From Orlando Trip With Late Win Over Gulliver

The Monsignor Pace Spartans traveled to Orlando last week, facing two of the top teams in the state, in HSBN Orlando #4 Bishop Moore, and HSBN Space Coast #1 Spruce Creek. The Spartans came away with losses in both of those games.

That made their return home to Miami on Tuesday an important one. Pace traveled to face Gulliver Prep, and after scoring four runs early, the Spartans used two runs late, one each in the sixth and seventh inning, to hold off a Raiders rally, and get back in the win column with a 7-6 victory.

“Coming off of two tough losses in Orlando, I was wondering how we would respond today,” said Spartans Manager Chuck Lyman. “I am extremely proud of our guys today in grinding out a win over a good Gulliver team.”

Early on, it looked as though Pace would cruise. Four straight hits to start the game from Robert Kramer, Yuniel Paredes, Jonathan Vazquez, and Rodolpho Marichal, along with a Andres Hernandez sacrifice fly, gave the Spartans a 4-0 lead in the first.

Pace starter Aiden Rivero sailed through the first four innings, allowing only a first inning run. In the fifth, however, the Raiders broke through for three runs, cutting the lead to 5-4. After the Spartans scored a run in the top of the sixth, Gulliver was then able to tie the game at five, with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom of the frame.

In the seventh, sophomore Rickey Hernandez dropped a squeeze bunt, again giving the Spartans the lead. Daniel Fumero was then able to close the door in the bottom of the seventh, securing the win for the Spartans.

“Gulliver showed tremendous fight in coming back to tie the game,” said Lyman. “At that point, we were able to execute and play for a run and eventually get the win.Playing in close ballgames like this will help prepare us for the playoffs.”

The game had special meaning for Lyman, who was across the field from one of his mentors in Gulliver Manager Arby Sosa.

“Coach Sosa is a dear friend of mine,” said Lyman. “I was fortunate enough to be coached by him when I was in high school. To have an opportunity to coach against him today was truly a special moment for me.”

Pace began the year winning five of their first six games, before falling in the two games in Orlando. After getting back in the win column, and improving their season record to 6-3, Pace will finish the week with two more ranked opponents. They host HSBN Broward #5 Taravella on Wednesday, before finishing the week on the road against Broward #2 University School.

As for Gulliver, they have yet to win this season as they struggle through some early season struggles. Despite the 0-7 record, the Raiders have been in almost every game they have played, losing by a combined 13 runs in six of their seven losses.

Things do not get easier for Gulliver, as they face Miami #1 Columbus Thursday, before closing the week at home against Coral Gables.

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