Simpkins wins fifth as Freedom defeats Brandon
Patriots’ starter David Simpkins wraps up a strong six-inning stint, striking out nine in six innings. He allowed one unearned run on just three hits and two walks, earning his fifth win of the season.
By Chuck Frye, Senior Staff Writer
TAMPA – It seems that Dane Moore will be booking an appointment with his team’s barber in the near future.
“I’ve been growing this hair out for three years,” Freedom’s head coach explained. “I put it on the line three years ago for when we won 10 games.”
Brandon second baseman Charles Revi Rodriguez extends himself to the limit to haul in Liam Harris’ first-inning infield popup.
After a 17-win season and an appearance in the Class 5A regional playoffs in 2022, the Patriots fell on tough times. But Moore will finally get to cash in on his promise as his squad’s 7-1 victory over Brandon on Thursday boosted Freedom to the double-digit mark and a .500 record with one week left to play.
“It just feels amazing,” exclaimed sophomore David Simpkins, the Patriots’ starting pitcher and one of the driving forces in victory. “Just to show the work we put in during the off-season, how hard everybody worked … to see it all come to life is amazing.”
Patriots second baseman Devon Acord rifles a throw to first base for the final out of the second inning.
Shaking off a second-inning infield error that turned the first of Joemiis Stroman’s two singles into an unearned run for the visiting Eagles (6-15), Simpkins set down the next nine batters he faced while only allowing one more base hit before stepping aside after six innings of work.
“In the bullpen (warming up), I felt my slider would be my out pitch but some things change,” explained Simpkins, who finished with nine strikeouts on the night. “(In this game), my curveball felt on and I used it as my strikeout pitch. It was definitely a good two-strike pitch.”
Freedom starting pitcher David Simpkins shows off some strong defense, hustling off the mound to track down a third-inning foul popup.
“David’s a young arm that came in as a freshman and didn’t get to pitch too much,” Moore said. “I know having him this year to contribute was really going to help. When he’s on, mixing his pitches and commanding the zone like he was (Thursday) … he gave us a great effort and I’m proud of how he pitched.”
As it was when the two teams met back in early March, it was a five-run explosion that put Freedom (10-10) on top to stay.
Getting guidance from head coach Dane Moore, Freedom’s Jacob Antle leads off of third base after reaching on a third-inning double.
This time it came in the bottom of the fourth, sending nine batters to the plate in the process. Key deliveries came from juniors Liam Harris (leadoff double) and Gavin Tarr (RBI single) along with a two-run base hit from Jacob Antle, the lone upperclassman on the Pats’ roster who was celebrated at Senior Night.
Antle relieved Simpkins to start the seventh, allowing Stroman’s second single before sophomore second baseman Devon Acord started a double play to end the game.
“I enjoyed seeing him (Antle) step up and drive in some of those big runs to help get us the lead,” Moore said. “The players love him, the coaches love him, and it was great to see him come out in the seventh and seal the win on Senior Night. He’s a great kid and we’ve loved to have him in the program.”
Not to be outdone by Simpkins, Brandon pitcher Robert Elder hustles to beat third baseman Logan Edwards to a third-inning infield popup.
For an equally youthful Eagles squad, first-year head coach Devin DeLorenzo has taken a long-term approach.
“The program’s gone through some coaches, so we’re building a culture which we’ve changed a lot,” DeLorenzo explained. “We’re a young team and we’re just trying to get everything down, work on our fundamentals and our discipline. The kids are buying in, and with fall ball and a spring to work on things, we should improve come next year.”
Brandon catcher Joemiis Stroman frames a fourth-inning pitch to Freedom’s David Simpkins for the plate umpire. The sophomore backstop had a pair of hits for the Eagles.
Brandon has easily topped its two-win campaign last year thanks to the efforts of senior Charles Revi Rodriguez, who leads the squad with nearly a .400 batting average. He threw two-plus innings of relief against Freedom, allowing a pair of runs, while contributing a base hit and stolen base offensively.
“Charles is a guy we rely on to get the job done,” said DeLorenzo. “He’s a utility guy that can play second base, shortstop, and pitch (all of which he did on Thursday). He does a lot of things and does them all well.”
Brandon third baseman Logan Edwards appears to get his tag down on base stealer Ryan Acord but loses control of the fourth-inning throw.
Stroman also drew praise for his production from the eight-hole in the lineup.
“He’s batting down there to get on base, get us some momentum and to score runs,” DeLorenzo said about the sophomore. “At the beginning, he had to find his swing and his stance but once he did, he was off.”
Freedom’s Devon Acord shouts as he crosses the plate for a fourth-inning run, part of a game-changing five-run explosion for the eventual victors.
Connor Cress was 2-for-4 with two RBI (single and run-scoring fielder’s choice), and Logan Handville was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Freedom will get right back to work Friday when it hosts Gaither; while Brandon next travels to Tampa Bay Tech for a Saturday morning matchup.
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Freedom 7
Brandon 1
B 010|000|0 – |1|4|1
F 000|502|x – |7|9|1
W – Simpkins (5-2); L – Elder (1-3)
2B – Antle, Harris (F). Records – B (6-15); F (10-10).
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After taking a throw from teammate Francis Ovalles, the Eagles’ Charles Revi Rodriguez fired to first to complete a first-inning double play.
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Brandon’s Francis Ovalles just gets under the tag of Freedom’s Deven Acord, advancing to second on a second-inning passed ball.
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Eagles shortstop Francis Ovalles puts some mustard on the ball for a second-inning out.
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Brandon second baseman Charles Revi Rodriguez (6) can’t leap high enough to come up with this fourth-inning throw as the Pats’ Devon Acord (2) slides in with a stolen base.
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Freedom’s Connor Cress tumbles past Brandon’s Logan Edwards and into third base for a fourth-inning steal.
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Freedom’s Connor Cress (1) greets teammate Devon Acord (2) after the sophomore scored a sixth-inning insurance run.
