Baron Collier Holds On Against Cape Coral

Cougars first baseman Nick DeNove reached base late in the game.

The Seahawks visited the Cougars for a 6A regional quarterfinal. The Seahawks were on the board first but the Cougars scored late and held off a late game rally to win 4-3, advancing to the regional semifinals against Ida Baker.

The Cougars woke up their bats in the fourth. Marc Coffers led off with a double and was bunted over by Johnathan Newman, who reached on the bunt. He then stole second, putting both runners in scoring position. With one out Gabe Noguera singled, bringing in Coffers and moving Newman to third. Newman was tagged out in a rundown after a botched squeeze attempt. Billy Zeliff singled to bring in Noguera and give the Cougars a lead.

Zeliff moved to second after a throwing error, but a line drive to third base ended the inning.

“We knew we needed to make adjustments and we were hitting the ball the other way after the first time around, and then we started hitting and piecing together some runs,” said Coffers.

Cougars starter Nick Geller got off to a quick start, striking out two of his first three outs. Seahawks starter Matt McDade also got three quick outs to end the first.

Geller struck out his first batter but then walked Kegan Smith and gave up a double to Luke Schulz. With runners on second and third Andrew Jaffarian came up. Smith was picked off at third giving the Cougars two outs. Jaffarian walked and Schulz stole third and then scored when Vellum Brant singled.

McDade struck out two in the second and picked off Marcus Crabtree after giving up a single to him.

In the third Geller struck out another two and got a ground ball out to end the inning. McDade also got three straight outs to end the third.

“I was really trying to throw the first-pitch strike and just let them hit the ball,” said Geller. “I trust my defense and it worked tonight.”

Billy Zeliff slides back to first avoiding the tag from Kegan Smith.

In the top of the fourth Daniel Fanego reached first on an error. After a strikeout the Cougar defense turned two and ended the half.

In the fifth the Cougars brought struck out the side. After getting two outs the Seahawks gave up three straight hits, giving up two runs.

In the top of the sixth the Seahawks brought in two runs off hits by Daniel Fanego and Kegan Smith. The lead was cut to one run.

“At this point in the season there is no such thing as an ugly win,” Cougars manager Charlie Maurer said. “Cape Coral competed and we played hard back, our experience in big games helped us a lot, but we need to clean up our defense and give up less walks, our batters also need to adjust during at-bats.”.

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