The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School varsity baseball team took on the Miller School of Albemarle on Wednesday, Mar. 12 at 6 p.m. at home on the Anthony Rizzo Field. The Miller School of Albemarle Mavericks are from Charlottesville, Virginia, and made a trip to Florida to take on the Eagles.
The game began with pitcher Gio Rojas (12) on the mound. The Eagles opened the game with a ground out and fly out, and Rojas struck out his first batter of the day.
In the bottom of the first inning, outfielder Bennett Gary (3) led off the batting order for the Eagles, though he flew out to center field. Outfielder Nick Diaz (11) was able to get on base following an infield single.
However, both teams refused to budge throughout the first inning, leaving the game scoreless at 0-0.
At the top of the second inning, Rojas struck out his second batter, and the next two for the Mavericks both grounded the ball to shortstop Erick Torres (2) who threw them out at first base, retiring the side. However, the Mavericks answered with another scoreless half inning, leaving the score board reading 0-0.
To begin the third inning, Rojas struck out two batters and caused the third batter to fly out to center field. Nevertheless, the Mavericks managed to hold the Eagles scoreless once again.
“As a team we had some selfish at bats, but that improved on going through the game and we found a way to be successful in a group aspect, such as picking one another up and doing what we need to do,” Rojas said.
To kick off the fourth inning, the Eagles’ defense once again held strong, with Rojas tallying two more strikeouts and a ground out. At the bottom of the fourth, third baseman Jake Rizzo (22) doubled to left field, Diaz singled to left field and Catcher Drew Freeman (9) walked, loading the bases with zero outs. Rojas stepped up and delivered a sacrifice fly to drive Rizzo home for the first run of the game.
Following this, Torres singled and Brody Gargiulo (26), who pinch ran for Freeman, was driven home, making the scoreboard read 2-0 in favor of the Eagles. Torres stole second and scored off of infielder Matthew Toback’s (8) single, increasing MSD’s lead to 3-0. The Mavericks were finally able to stop the bleeding following this surge of momentum, and the Eagles entered the fifth inning on top, winning by three runs.
“I thought I played well but most importantly the team played well. We played very well defensively, and pitching looked great,” Freeman said.
At the top of the fifth inning, the Eagles’ defense continued to stifle the Mavericks’ offense. The Eagles’ defense swiftly retired the side with a ground out, fly out and Rojas’ seventh strikeout of the game.
The Eagles managed to get a couple of batters on base throughout their half of the inning, but were unable to add to their lead, leaving the score at 3-0 in favor of the Eagles.
To start the sixth inning, Rojas struck out two batters, and allowed his only hit of the game, which was a single to left field. However, an outfield fly out following this hit meant the Mavericks had gone scoreless through six innings.
Despite Toback singling to get on base and outfielder Lorenzo Laurel (6) getting hit by a pitch, the Eagles remained scoreless in the sixth.
“Overall, I think I played well; I was able to contribute to a 3-0 win over a good out of state team. The team played well and fought it out in a win that showed resilience,” Toback said.
To begin the seventh, the Eagles placed pitcher Breylynn Courtney (4) on the mound in relief of Rojas. In the final inning of the game, the Eagles finished strong, with Courtney striking out his first two batters and a fly out ending the game.
“So far this season I’m feeling good about it. We continue to improve each game, and we are only going to get better,” Toback said.
It was a strong performance from the Eagles, shutting out the Mavericks 3-0. The Eagles’ stifling defense proved to be the story of the game, only allowing one hit through seven innings. MSD’s performance was strong, and, if it perseveres, a win in their next game against Bishop Snyder High School is practically guaranteed.
