Alonso tops Gaither on Munoz grand slam, Reed’s pitching

By Rick Cantor
Staff writer
Photos by Jess Zanca
Correspondent

TAMPA – Don’t let the record fool you.

While hovering just under .500 after playing one of the tougher schedules in the county to start the season, head coach Landy Faedo’s Alonso squad is a dangerous one.

Juan Munoz bashed a first-inning grand slam as the Ravens scored early and often in a 9-2 romp over Gaither on Monday night.

Alonso (6-7) flashed some leather early on as senior Hunter Campbell started a 4-6-3 double play and then made a diving stop on a hard grounder to end the top of the first inning. It was the first of two double plays turned by the Ravens.

Senior stalwart Christopher Morgan led off the bottom of the frame with a line drive single to left, with walks to Jaden Nazar and Ben Drumheller loading the bases for Munoz. The junior left fielder lofted a 2-2 offering over the left field wall clearing the bases and staking the Ravens to the early four-run lead.

“I had two strikes on me with the bases loaded, and he threw it down the middle. I knew had to take it yard,” said Munoz. “It was important for us to score early and get out to a big lead.”

Gaither (3-9) fought back, cutting the lead in half when junior Scout Simpson (1-for-1, 2 RBI, 2 BB) sliced a two-run single to center scoring Miguel Pina and Angel Hernandez.

After a Zach Mabee (3-for-3, 2 RBI) RBI single in the third, Alonso was once again the beneficiary of a pair of free passes by Gaither pitching with Eric Duran Padua and Nazar walking to start the inning and coming around to score on a single by Drumheller, and an RBI single from Benjamin Kittay. Drumheller capped the scoring by coming home on a passed ball.

The six-run lead provided a relaxing cushion for Alonso reliever Sammy Reed to work with. The senior southpaw held the Cowboys scoreless in four innings of relief, surrendering just two hits and two walks while striking out a pair.

“The game was reachable for them when I came in.  My job was to go out and put a zero on the board. We went out and put up three and that some pressure off me,” said Reed. “My curveball was really working tonight. I threw it about 70% of the time”

Both teams are back in action tomorrow with district contests. Alonso with travel to Pinellas County to face East Lake, while Gaither hosts neighbor Sickles at Frank Permuy Park.

Alonso 9
Gaither 2

G 002|000|0 – |2|6|1
A 401|301|x – |9|9|0
W – Reed (0-0); L – Valdes (0-0)
HR – Munoz (A). Records – G (3-8); A (6-7).