Dragons take control, support Marroquin’s gem
By Lily Belcher, Staff writer
TAMPA – Jefferson head coach Spencer Nunez told his team to play every game like it’s a playoff game and that’s exactly what the Dragons did in an 8-1 victory over rival Hillsborough.
The Dragons (3-0) pieced together eight runs and kept Terriers’ (2-1) bats quiet with five shut-out innings and seven strikeouts by senior Michael Marroquin.
“That’s usually our game: just trying to create some chaos on the bases,” Nunez said.
Jefferson’s bats came alive in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back base hits by junior Ja’Marques Benton and senior Cameron Copple put two runners on to lead off the inning. A pair of walks issued by Terrier’s starting pitcher, senior Aiden Morales, allowed Benton to score and prompted a pitching change by Hillsborough.
Senior Kyler Martin relieved Morales and quickly gave up a two-RBI double to senior Hayden Sekanick.
With two on, senior Alliuq Troupe hit a bases clearing, two-RBI triple and scored on the following wild pitch to give the Dragons a total of six runs in the fourth.
“We started off not too hot,” Troupe said. “But, the fourth inning, we got it.”
Troupe said at the beginning of the game, the Dragons “weren’t feeling too good,” but motivation from Nunez and his coaching staff spurred Jefferson to their third consecutive win to start the season.
The outfielder has led Jefferson in hitting over the last three games, earning him the leadoff spot in the lineup.
Nunez said with Marroquin on the mound, followed by senior reliever James Van Meter, he tries to get his offense to score runs early. While they may not have done that Tuesday night, Nunez said he was glad it “clicked” in the fourth.
Jefferson tacked on two more runs on fielding errors by Hillsborough in the fifth to bring the score to 8-0.
Troupe said Marroquin’s ability to silence Hillsborough bats gave them “some cushion” to turn their slow start into a commanding lead.
Jefferson starting pitcher Michael Marroquin.
“I just came in knowing it’s a rivalry game. [I] just came in and gave my best stuff, did what I did and came out with a W,” Marroquin said.
Marroquin said the key was to keep his head in the game and keep command of his slider throughout the night.
“Just stay cool and nothing changes at all,” he said.
Van Meter put two runners on in the bottom of the sixth, including a leadoff base hit by junior Curtis Roberts. Back-to-back wild pitches allowed Roberts to score the Terriers’ only run.
“We just want to apply as much pressure as we can,” Nunez said. “Whether that’s hitting good [or] taking bases.”
Nunez said he wants the Dragons to focus on their offense and continuing to create that “chaos” on the basepath.
“Once that clicks with this pitching staff,” Nunez said, “I think this team can do some great things.”
Jefferson hosts Plant City Thursday and Hillsborough hosts Newsome on Friday at 7 p.m.
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#4 Jefferson 8, Hillsborough 1
J 000|620|0 – |8|7|0
H 000|001|0 – |1|3|2
W – Marroquin (2-0); L – Morales (1-1)
2B – Sekanick, Carabello (J). Records – J (3-0); H (2-1).
