Ravens, Nunez shutout Steinbrenner, 7-0
Landon Nunez threw six shutout innings for Alonso in a 7-0 win against Steinbrenner.
By Jarrett Guthrie, Editor
TAMPA – Alonso junior Landon Nunez knows what works. Fastball/curveball mix, pitch-to-contact, and get your offense back to the plate. On Monday, Nunez punched the clock, holding Steinbrenner scoreless, striking out a pair and allowing just three hits in a 7-0 district victory.
Though his strikeout numbers are modest (19 in 26 2/3 innings), it’s hard to argue with the other important stats, like his 1.31 ERA, and of course his record: 4-0.
“Landon is sharp and always shoves for us,” senior Austin Kirsch said, adding: “So, the least we can do is have his back.”
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Kirsch had his teammate’s back early, putting Alonso (12-4) on the path to success driving in the deciding run in the second inning on a fielder’s choice. Kirsch would plate two more the next inning on a standup double.
Kirsch lines up this two-run double into right-center.
“Two strikes, less than two outs with runners in scoring position, I’m just trying to put the ball down in play,” Kirsch said. “I got a fastball elevated and drove it the other way.”
In between, Roberto Rivera smoked an RBI double to the wall in left-center, and Carson Vega dropped down a perfect sac bunt to score another. Adding on to Kirsch’s double in the third, Juan Munoz lined a two-run single just over shortstop to stretch the lead out to seven.
Carson Vega drops a RBI sac bunt down the first base line.
From there Nunez worked himself out of any trouble through six shutout innings. In the first two innings, he said he felt his curveball was getting the job done as he retired the first six he faced – four of them on ground outs.
“My fastball and curveball, those are my two most dominant pitches,” Nunez said. “I felt like my curveball was keeping them off-balance and getting a lot of groundballs.
“I trust all of my infielders, they are all incredible. I just try and let them hit the ball on the ground, and let my guys get those outs.”
First baseman Roberto Rivera waves off Nunez, taking a groundball to first himself. Rivera also had an RBI double in the second.
Steinbrenner (9-7) got runners on the corners on Nunez in his final three innings, but the junior righty kept the Warriors off the board with a pop out (fourth inning), covering the plate and tagging out a runner on a toss from catcher Samuel Fernandez after wild pitch (fifth), and a strikeout (sixth).
“I had a couple of walks, and I was a little lost out there with my footing,” Nunez said. “I knew I needed to straighten my mind, focus on the game, get those outs.”
Alonso junior Landon Nunez.
Vincent Antuna worked the final inning for the Ravens, striking out one in a 1-2-3 frame.
Jorge Romero had two singles for the Warriors.
Jorge Romero picked up the first hit for the Warriors in the fourth inning on an infield single, and a second hit on a fly ball to left, while Bryce Andrews lined a hit to center in-between.
Steinbrenner senior Bryce Andrews pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief.
Andrews also had a steadying presence on the mound holding Alonso to one hit, and striking out one, before Charles Williams Jr. worked a scoreless sixth inning of relief.
Alonso has won six-straight and looks to avenge its last loss (Saladino Tournament semifinal) when the Ravens travel to Sickles on Thursday; Steinbrenner will host Gaither on Thursday.
Ravens catcher Samuel Fernandez hauls in a foul pop behind the plate.
#4 Alonso 7, Steinbrenner 0
S 000|000|0 – |0|3|2
A 034|000|x – |7|7|0
W – Nunez (4-0); L – Geraghty (2-1)
2B – R. Rivera, Kirsch (A). Records – S (9-7); A (12-4).
