Estero’s Josh Winckowski Shuts Down Lely

Josh Winckowski struck out 12 batters in his six innings on the mound to earn the victory.

The #8 ranked Estero Wildcats defeated the #9 ranked Lely Trojans 6-3 Tuesday night in a home game. This non-district win gives the Wildcats an 8-4 record as they stay tied for first in 7A-12. The Trojans are now 10-4, and the loss snaps their four-game win streak. The game was dominated by Wildcats’ starter Josh Winckowski, who went six innings and struck out 12.

“Pitching has always been a strength for us,” said Estero manager Gary White. “We rely on pitching and defense to win our games. Josh has a killer slider and he’s been a big-game pitcher for us this season.”

Winckowski struck out three in the first and three in the second, but the Trojans were able to get to him in the third. A double by starting pitcher Thomas Norman led the inning off. A single by second baseman Jon Irogoyen moved him over and a sacrifice bunt from center fielder Dionel Mena brought Norman in to score. The Trojans did not cross the plate again until the sixth inning.

“I was trying to put them away with my breaking ball after I got ahead with my fastball. I was locating my fastball well and I think it was my best pitch,” said Winckowski.

An early home run by Wildcats left fielder Brian Lawhon put Estero on the board early in the second. In the third a single by John O’hern led the inning off, and after Evan Wedlock reached on a fielder’s choice that resulted in everyone reaching base safely, they were both brought in by a single and sacrifice fly.

Lely third baseman Cameron Jones sets up for a play as John O’Hern takes a lead.

In the fifth, the Wildcats put two runners on after a single and an error and brought them both in as catcher Nick Cairo blasted a single to right-center. This made the score 6-1.

But the Trojans didn’t go down without a fight. In the sixth Dionel Mena doubled and later scored on an error. Two strikeouts ended the inning. In the seventh a hit batter scored after a double by Gabe Lopez. This late offense was not enough to push the Trojans ahead and the game ended after a strikeout and fly ball to center field.

“This game was a step in the right direction but, we aren’t thrilled with the end result,” said Lely manager Greg Dombrowski. “We need to clean up a few things and we plan on being right there by districts.”

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