SW Florida Christian Tops Moore Haven In Back-And-Forth Battle

Mike Gerwitz pitched a complete game, striking out six.

The Moore Haven Terriers may have gotten off to an early start offensively but it was the Southwest Florida Christian Kings’ late surge that gave them the 4-3 district victory on Thursday.

A back-and-forth pitching battle and an offensive onslaught in the fifth inning made the game very exciting up until the end. The Kings (4-2) emerged victorious after scoring four runs in the fifth.

Southwest Florida Christian keeps pace in a tight district race with a 4-0 record that has it tied at the top of the district standings with Canterbury and Evangelical Christian. The Terriers drop to 1-4 in the district and 2-4 overall.

“We tried to start off early tonight; thats a weakness for us,” Kings manager JW Wilkerson said. “our pitching is strong and the bunt by Vazquez in the fifth inning really got the offense started.”

Down by two at that point, Southwest Florida Christian felt the urgency to score some runs. A bunt by pinch-hitter Justin Vazquez got the offensive rally started. Vazquez was then bunted over by Daugherty, and moved to third after a single by Doerstling. A throwing error on a pick-off attempt allowed Vazquez to score the Kings first run, while Doerstling moved to second. A walk then put runners on first and second with one out.

“I got the bunt sign and coach knows I have wheels so I just laid it down,” said Vazquez. “I  tried to be smart on the bases and let the guys hit the ball and move me over.”

Centerfielder Chase Reed then singled, scoring Doerstling to tie it up while moving Rippl to third. A sacrifice fly by Luke Wallace brought in Rippl to go ahead, and Reed scored the final run of the inning to give the Kings a two-run lead.

A quick 1-2-3 inning for both pitchers ended the sixth inning and brought the Terriers to the plate in the top of the seventh. Shortstop Palladino singled and later scored on a fielders choice, cutting the lead to a run. A ground ball and a fly out ended the game before the Terriers could score again.

“You tell the team to keep their heads up,” said Terriers Manager Max Manin. “I tell the team to look at the scoreboard and not be ashamed, because we fought hard.”

Garret Palladino scored two of the Terriers' three runs.

Moore Haven battled from the very beginning. In the first at bat of the game, Terriers shortstop Garret Palladino reached base on a single. He used his speed to steal second and was bunted over to third by shortstop Payton Woodward. A single by first baseman Patrick Metzler brought him home to put the Terriers on the board first.

Kings starter Mike Gerwitz then found his groove and struck out two batters to end the inning.

“I was trying to get ahead early and throw strikes.” said Gerwitz. “I tried to hit my spots and work my curveball.”

The Kings’ offense could not get anything going against Terriers starter Jorge Marti in the first, and in the second inning both pitchers had quick outings.  Gerwitz struck out another two batters, and in the bottom half of the inning the Terriers turned two to end the frame. In the top half of the third the Kings defense got three quick outs. At the plate the Kings were able to put some runners on. Cade Daugherty walked, followed by consecutive singles from Patrick Doerstling and Max Rippl. With two outs and the bases loaded Marti was able to get Chase Reed to fly-out and get the Terriers out of the jam.

The fourth inning saw more strong pitching and solid defense from both sides. Gerwitz got another strikeout, and caught a line drive hit right back at him to end the top half of the inning. Marti picked a runner off after allowing a single and Noah Sheffield was thrown out trying to reach third after a single by Chris Lynn to end the inning.

The bats came to life for both teams in the fifth. Terriers catcher Payton Woodward singled and stole second to put him in scoring position for designated hitter Patrick Metzler, who claimed his second RBI after a double brought Woodward in. A throwing error sent the ball sailing over the first baseman, and Metzler attempted to score but was thrown out at the plate on a close play, leaving a runner on second with two outs. Gerwitz walked the next batter but got out of the inning after a ground ball to third ended the threat.

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