Roundup: Benjamin wins battle of aces

Wednesday, February 13, 2013
by Matt Porter

A large group of baseball professionals -- one jokingly referred to it as "enough for a cocktail party" -- crowded behind the backstop at Benjamin on Wednesday afternoon.

There were 12 major-league scouts, five current pro players and three advisers watching two of South Florida's top pitching prospects. It was Benjamin junior lefthander Bennett Sousa against Jensen Beach right-hander Taylor Blatch, a Florida State signee expected to be a high draft pick in June.

In the first inning, the scouts clocked both pitchers in the low-90s.

But seventh-ranked Benjamin (1-0) sent everyone home shortly after, tagging Blatch for five runs and routing Jensen 10-0 in five innings.

Sousa (1-0) and his battery-mate, senior Brian Dolan, did much of the damage. With one out in the bottom of the first, Sousa tagged a 91-mph fastball to left center for an RBI single. Dolan (2-for-3, two doubles, three RBI) followed with a two-run double down the left-field line.

In the third, Sousa (2-for-3, triple, walk, RBI) tripled and Dolan brought him home with a double to make it 4-0.

Senior right fielder D.J. Paone was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored, helping the Buccaneers put six more runs on Falcons relievers.

Sousa, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound Virginia commit, threw 60 pitches in three innings, allowing two hits and two walks. He struck out five. He gave way to freshman right-hander Matt Ellmyer, who closed with two scoreless innings.

Blatch (5-11, 170) threw 70 pitches in four innings. He allowed five runs on six hits, striking out four and walking two.

No. 8 Park Vista 8, Okeechobee 0: Tyler Barre had two doubles to help the Cobras (1-0) stop the Brahmans (0-1) in Boynton Beach.

Forest Hill 10, Lake Worth 5: Juan Iglesias was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI to lead the Falcons (1-1) past the Trojans (0-2) in the Forest Hill City Tournament in West Palm Beach.

SOFTBALL

Miami-Westminster Christian 8, No. 3 Park Vista 7: Allison Hughes was 4-for-5 and scored two runs, but the Cobras (2-1) fell to the Warriors in Boynton Beach.

No. 6 Suncoast 16, Palm Beach Lakes 0: Suzy Livingston was 3-for-3 with a single, double, triple, and a walk to lead the Chargers (2-1) to the rout of the Rams (0-3) in West Palm Beach.

No. 8 Park Vista 8, Okeechobee 0: Tyler Barre collected two doubles to help the Cobras (1-0) defeat the Brahmans (0-1) in Boynton Beach.

No. 9 Palm Beach Central 9, Santaluces 0: Amanda Blanchard struck out 12 in a complete game, leading the Broncos to the rout of the Chiefs in Lantana.

No. 10 Boca Raton 16, Olympic Heights 0: Taylor Troyan was 2-for-2 with two doubles as the Bobcats rolled over the Lions (0-3) in Boca Raton.

Benjamin 8, John I. Leonard 6: Savannah Logan was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases to lead the Buccaneers (3-1) over the Lancers (2-3) in Greenacres. Sam Hinkle and Katelyn Morfis each were 3-for-4 for Leonard.

Pope John Paul II 16, Glades Central 1: Emma Gibbney was 3-for-3 with a walk and four runs scored to lead the Eagles (3-2) to the rout of the Raiders (1-4) in Belle Glade.

Royal Palm Beach 18, Pahokee 0: Pitcher Kelly Roberson led the Wildcats (4-1) to victory and won her fourth game in five matches.