Tampa Prep rallies late, takes walk-off win vs CDS
By Steven Lopez, Correspondent
TAMPA – Three singles and two extra-base hits led a Terrapins comeback in the seventh, as Tampa Prep scored three and forced extra-innings, winning on a ground ball off the bat of Nick Batoff on Friday night. The eighth-inning walk-off marked the first win of the season in exciting fashion as the Terrapins turned away Carrollwood Day 4-3.
Terps senior Xavier Brown started the game off with a clean first frame in Tampa Prep’s home opener vs Carrollwood Day School. The lefty had his curveball working early and often, using it for a first pitch strike and putting hitters away with it as well.
Through three innings Brown kept the Patriots in check allowing only one hit, however a leadoff walk followed by back-to-back doubles opened the scoring for CDS in the top half of the fourth.
On the bump for the Patriots was right hander Nick Riedel, who had complete control and was ahead in counts all night. In five shutout innings he allowed only one free pass, while giving up three hits and finished with six strikeouts.
There were zeros across the board for the Terrapins, struggling to put together consecutive hits all night.
In the top half of the seventh, the Patriots were looking to extend their 3-0 lead as they loaded the bases with no outs. An error followed by back-to-back singles put relief pitcher Ignacio Gonzalez in a tough situation as the middle of the Patriots order was looking to capitalize.
However, Gonzalez was able to get three-hole batter, Christian Clarke, to ground into a fielder’s choice and get a crucial first out at home. He followed it up with two straight strikeouts, leaving three runners stranded and plenty of momentum for the Terrapins heading into the bottom of the seventh.
“That adrenaline is what I love most about this game,” said Gonzalez, who earned the win with three shutout innings of relief. “I just wanted to come out and do what I do to help my team get a win.”
Down to their last out with no runners on, leadoff hitter LaPlace Sallis went up to bat and his infield single set the tone for an incredible rally.
“The top of our order can be very potent when they trust in themselves and stay back and hit the baseball,” said Tampa Prep coach AJ Hendrix.
That self-confidence helped the Terrapins put together five straight hits in their most crucial at-bats. Beforehand, they were only able to muster four hits in the previous six frames.
Headed into extra innings with new-found confidence and energy, the Terrapins were able to record three quick outs in the top half.
To leadoff the bottom of the eighth, Tampa Prep first baseman Emilio Miranda drew a crucial walk. He followed it up by stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch.
With one out and Miranda on third the Terrapins needed to put the ball in play, and they did just that. Batoff hit a ground ball to third base, which made the defender check the runner before making a rushed throw to first. The throw sailed wide and allowed Miranda to jog home to secure the Terrapins first win of the young season.
“It was the first time all year we had great energy and I know the kids needed this win,” Hendrix said. “CDS is a really good team and it’s always a battle when both of us play.”
⚾⚾⚾⚾
Tampa Prep 4, Carrollwood Day 3 (8)
C 000|300|00 – |3|11|1
T 000|000|31 – |4|9|1
W – Gonzalez (1-0); L – Mazur (0-1)
2B – Clarke, Rameau, Bonollo, Riedel (C); Jennewein 3, Holder, Miranda (T). Records – C (3-2); T (1-3).
