Salzman was ready for Saladino start against Alonso

Plant senior pitcher Ben Salzman struck out seven in 5 2/3 scoreless innings as the Panthers defeated Alonso, 9-0 (photo by Mike Camunas).

By Mike Camunas
Creative Director

TAMPA — Ben Salzman was ready to pitch in the Saladino Tournament.

“I was, yeah,” the Plant senior southpaw said. “And also whenever we play that team, we’ve got a good back-and-forth going with them, so whenever we face them, we want to play our best.”

The Panthers (5-3) were just about at their best on a chilly and windy Saturday night as they thoroughly handled Class 7A-7 rival Alonso, 9-0 in the first round of the Saladino Gold Bracket at Jesuit’s Hyer Family Park.

“We hadn’t been swinging that well during the week,” Plant coach Dennis Braun said of the team’s 14 hits, “but we’re pretty happy where we’re at, especially at the end of this night. Every run is usually hard earned, but tonight they seemed like it took all of us to get all nine of them.”

Plant jumped out to a three-run lead by the second inning and never looked back. The Panthers knocked out junior starter Eric Duran Padua quickly thanks to RBIs by the Strayer brothers: senior Conley and freshman Cash. Bryce Pelleriti led Plant with a 3-for-4, 3 RBI night, while Tanner Swank also drove in two.

Thomas Bolton celebrates with Bryce Pelleriti and Conley Strayer after a two run single by Tanner Swank in the third (photo by Mike Camunas).

But it was Salzman who cruised for most of the game. The lefty, making just his second start of the season, went for 5 2/3 innings allowing all of Alonso’s four hits, a walk and striking out seven.

Dominic Woodward finished the game with 1 1/3 shutout innings and struck out two.

“I wasn’t feeling it so much in the pen (warming up), but I just knew I couldn’t bring that out to the mound with me,” Salzman said. “But when the bats get going and the defense behind me makes big plays, that just makes me more confident on the mound, and we all come out with the win.”

And Braun was happy to see his senior starter step up.

“I thought (Salzman) was really, really sharp in just his second start,” he added. “And we’re going to need him to do that, so to see him come out and perform like that is a real positive sign for us down the road.”

Plant will Wharton (winners 2-1 against Jefferson on Saturday) in Monday’s second round of the Saladino Tournament Gold Division winners bracket. The Panthers and Wildcats will square off from Jesuit at 4pm on Monday. Alonso will travel to Jefferson in the consolation bracket, taking on the Dragons at 7pm on Monday.

⚾⚾⚾⚾

Plant 9
Alonso 0

P 213|030|0 – |9|14|0
A 000|000|0 – |0|4|3
W – Salzman (1-0); L – Padua (0-1)
2B – Swank, Con. Strayer (P). Records – P (5-3); A (3-4).

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