Clarke plates four, while CDS pitchers control the zone
Carrollwood Day sophomore Christian Clarke hustles around third base on an inside-the-park homer (photo by Tara White).
Story by Lily Belcher, correspondent
Photos by Tara White, photo correspondent
TAMPA–Carrollwood Day picked up its second win of the season in an 11-1 victory over Brooks DeBartolo, Thursday night with strong and well-timed hits, including an inside-the-park homer by Christian Clarke.
The Patriots (2-0) came out swinging, scoring ten of 11 runs in the first four frames. CDS put its first three batters on and drove them home in the bottom of the first.
“I liked the way that we started fast,” said Pats coach Tony Brewington. “I liked the way that our pitchers really controlled the game, great tempo. I liked the way that our team came in and did their job [by] putting the ball in play [with] hard contact.”
Starting pitcher Andre Rameau held the Phoenix (0-2) to just one run in the top of the first, giving up a bases-loaded walk to Dominick Valley. His three-inning outing Thursday night was his first game back from a UCL injury.
Rameau looked composed on the mound and maintained a comfortable pace for his team, but he credits his confidence to the Patriots’ offense.
“Honestly, nerves were really just racking up. After that tight first inning I had a lot in my head, but I realized I had my team behind me,” said Rameau. “… I knew that they had my back after that first inning and after that it was just smooth sailing.”
Senior Andre Rameau struck out four, allowing one run in his three innings of work to earn his first win of the season (photo by Tara White).
Carrollwood Day’s offensive dominance continued into the second inning as well. With two outs, Ethan Heintz hit a two RBI single to extend the lead to four runs. Nick Bonollo drove in Heintz and Brennan Leonhardt in the same inning, giving Carrollwood a comfortable six-run lead.
Christian Clarke came up to bat in the fourth with runners on first and second and one out. The sophomore shortstop hit the ball deep into right-centerfield and quickly rounded the bases before Brooks DeBartolo’s defense could corral the ball and get it into the infield.
“It’s an electric feeling. I have my teammates behind me and [I was] just playing for them,” said the FSU commit. “Knowing that every time you step to the plate, it’s for your teammates as well as the school.”
Brooks DeBartolo senior Jimmy Curtis doubles into right field in the fifth inning (photo by Tara White).
With the home run, Carrollwood went up 10-1 by the fourth inning. Their relief pitchers Evan Mazur and Jaxon Garvey kept the Phoenix offense relatively quiet and held Brooks DeBartolo to just one run.
JT Fuller singled in the bottom of the sixth and advanced to third on a Bonollo hit, before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Clarke to centerfield to end the game.
“We got guys that can move around the bases, so the important thing is to make sure we’re consistent with the bats when guys need to get hits when guys are on base,” said Brewington.
Carrollwood Day School will host Hernando Christian Academy and Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School will visit Academy at the Lakes on Friday.
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Carrrollwood Day 11,Brooks DeBartolo 1 – six innings
BD 100|000|x – |1|4|6
CDS 340|301|x – |11|11|1
W – Rameau (1-0); L – Corscadden (0-1)
2B – Curtis (BD); Leonhardt (CDS); HR – Clarke. Records – BD (0-2); CDS (2-0).
