Redner’s pitching leads Chargers to Saladino win vs Durant

Strawberry Crest junior pitcher Zach Redner (photo by Lily Belcher).

By Lily Belcher
Correspondent

March 15, 2022

PLANT CITY – Strawberry Crest charged its way to victory over Durant, Monday night in a 6-4 nailbiter. Charger’s pitcher junior Zach Redner pitched 6 2/3 innings with five strikeouts to give his team the edge in the Saladino Gold Division Quarterfinals.

“It feels amazing. I couldn’t have done it without my catching and my defense. They helped me out a lot out there,” said Redner.

Redner gave up three consecutive bases and subsequent runs in the first inning, but his performance on the mound clicked after he came out in the second inning. He said he was fueled by not wanting to drop a tenth-straight loss to Durant, a streak dating back to 2015. After a rocky first inning, he faced no more than four batters in his next five, complete innings and gave up only a few hits that Durant couldn’t send home.

“Durant’s a heck of a ball club and they fight [until] the very end,” Chargers coach Eric Beattie said. “We’ve had them on the ropes several times, but they’ve found a way. Big credit to them but proud of my guys tonight for closing it out.”

The Chargers’ offense capitalized on the stellar pitching and fielding, including a couple of strong throws from third baseman Akhil Nimmala to get key outs at first. Senior Ethan Pues went 2-for-3, with two singles and an RBI to give Crest an early lead in the first. After falling behind at the end of the first when Durant scored three runs, Crest responded with three runs off a double and a couple of errors and maintained the lead until the final out.

“I’ve got confidence in all of our players, in all of our hitters, so its just a great team win,” said Pues.

Durant senior pitcher Torin Byrnes tossed a complete-game, allowing six runs (three earned) and striking out nine.

Crest extends a three-game winning streak and their last two wins have come against rival schools, which Redner said added to the excitement of Monday’s victory.

Strawberry Crest will host Plant (winners, 11-2 against Wharton) on Tuesday in the semifinals of the 2022 Saladino Gold Division Tournament. First pitch has been scheduled for 1 p.m.

(6) Strawberry Crest 6
(8) Durant 4

SC 230|001|0 – |6|6|4
D   300|100|0 – |4|5|4
W – Redner (0-0); L – Byrnes (2-1); S – Philpott (2)
2B – Nimmala (SC); LaPointe (D). Records – SC (7-2); D (5-3).