Garcia drives in six as Chamberlain tops Tech

Chiefs sophomore Yadiel Garcia connects on his bases-clearing triple in the fifth. Garcia finished 2-for-2 with a walk, a double and six RBI.

By Jarrett Guthrie
Editor

TAMPA – Prior to Tuesday’s home game against Tampa Bay Tech, Chamberlain head coach Martin Ortega said the Chiefs’ offense has had a tendency this season of showing up a little too late in a few of its game. Punctuality – in-game and otherwise – the second-year head coach stressed, is the key to success.

So, when Chamberlain sophomore Yadiel Garcia was tardy to a practice on Monday, Ortega said he needed to send a message. Garcia spent the first three innings of the game against the Titans watching from the bench, serving a small penalty for his lateness.

“I run a tight ship, it’s the Marine in me,” Ortega said. “These young men are going to become men, and I want them to be honorable men and I need them to know how important punctuality is.

“… (Yadiel) is probably the most gifted and talented player I have, but sitting him shows them that life has rules for everyone.”

But when his moment arrived, Garcia showed up right on time for the Chiefs walking and scoring in his first plate appearance, then following with a bases clearing triple and another bases loaded hit – a three-run double as Chamberlain unloaded late and took an 11-5 victory off the Titans.

Chamberlain sophomore Yadiel Garcia leads off first after his fourth-inning walk.

Garcia said the benching made its desired impact and he knew he had to come through when he was given his next chance.

“When you have practice, you have to make it there, I know that,” Garcia said. “I understood the discipline in being sat down, but when I got my chance I knew I had to do a job for the team. I got on base three times, and drove some guys home. I’m going to help this team however I can.”

Chamberlain (2-4) went back-and-forth with the Titans, trading the lead three times before a five-all tie heading to the home-sixth. Junior Paul Flores (2-for-4) singled to start the half-inning, and moved around on a wild pitch and an error, before freshman Jaden Hyde gave his team the lead with a flared single into shallow right. Mike Wormack (single), Eyxsen Herrera (HBP), and Joran Hyde (single) kept the inning moving before Garcia cleared the bases for the second-straight inning.

Chiefs freshman Jaden Hyde gives his team its final lead with an RBI single in the sixth.

Wormack was 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI, and kept his average at .500 on the season for the Chiefs. The second-year starter has been a valuable leader for the team according to Ortega, and provided a spark in both the Chiefs’ three-run fifth and six-run sixth.

“He’s the leader of this team, he and Eyxsen, we rely heavily on them,” Ortega said. “He’s been a leader, and everybody sees that and then comes to play.”

Chamberlain SS Mike Wormack.

Wormack said the key to Tuesday’s win was not getting down on themselves after the Titans took a fourth-inning lead and again tied the game in the fifth.

“I came in (to the dugout) and told our team, ‘Let’s go, get the bats ready,’” the junior said. “Stay ready on defense and I knew the bats could get us going.”

Senior righty Joran Hyde (2-for-4, two runs, RBI) moved from first to the mound in the sixth and earned his first win of the season.

Tampa Bay Tech (0-8) took the game’s first lead in the third as nine-hole hitter Johnnie Tyson singled, stole second and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Tyson added another leadoff single in the sixth, again stealing second and scoring on a productive ground ball by Jonnathan Figueroa (2-for-4), before the Titans tied the game in the sixth as Javion McKay stole home.

Titans sophomore leadoff Javion McKay steals home.

Titans starting pitcher Ethan Jones earned a no decision, striking out six and allowing five runs (three earned), while also adding a double and a run in the fifth.

Tech rightfielder Stacey Robinson made two nice plays on defense, the first a diving catch to end the first, and the second a running catch toward the line to end the third inning.

Chamberlain takes a two-game winning streak on the road to Steinbrenner (4-7) on Saturday, while Tampa Bay Tech is still seeking its first win of the season as it hosts neighbor King (0-10) on Thursday.

: TBT’s Johnnie Tyson scores in the third.

: Tech’s Ethan Jones connects on a leadoff double.

: Chamberlain freshman 3B Jaden Hyde.

: Chiefs 2B Josh Torres.

: TBT RF Stacey Robinson holds up his glove after catch in first inning.

: Chamberlain’s Paul Flores claps on first base after an RBI single.

: Chamberlain senior pitcher Joran Hyde.

: Chiefs starting pitcher Eyxsen Herrera.

: Ethan Jones made the start on the mound for the Titans.

: TBT’s Ethan Jones scores a run in the fifth.

Chamberlain 11
Tampa Bay Tech 5

TBT 000|000|0 – |5|9|5
C 000|000|0 – |11|12|2
W – Jo. Hyde (1-0); L – Shultz
2B – Jones (TBT); Garcia (C); 3B – Garcia (C). Records – TBT (0-8); C (2-4).