American Heritage Offense Stalls In Preseason Opening 1-0 Loss

Heritage’s Corey Cohen holds a Chaminade runner close.

American Heritage opened their 2012 campaign on Wednesday with a game in the HSBN Broward / Palm Beach Preseason Challenge. The Stallions received a strong pitching effort, but the bats were silent as American Heritage lost 1-0 to Chaminade-Madonna.

Chaminade scored only a single run, but that was enough for a 1-0 victory, thanks in large part to Brandon Burgess five innings of no-hit ball. The co-ace struck out only one batter, but held the Stallions hitters off balance for much of the day. It is a performance that head coach Mike Moss comes to expect.

“He commanded his off-speed stuff, and he threw strikes. He’s tough to hit, guys don’t really see the ball very well against him, and his ball moves a lot,” Moss said. “Five no-hit innings, as a coach, you can’t ask for much more than that.”

The Lions offense struggled for the second game in a row, unable to solve the Stallions trio of pitchers. Dylan Silva threw three innings, and despite some early command problems, the senior did not allow a run. Dylan Arnold and Peter Castillo were equally as effective. Pitching dominated the day, much like it normally does at this time of year.

The only run of the game came in the fifth inning. With one out Lions designated hitter Keith Oren was hit by a pitch. A pair of errors brought Oren around from first, and Chaminade had the one run they would need. The close games are something that this Lions team expects to be involved in throughout the season.

“It definitely helps me,” said Burgess, when asked whether playing these low scoring games affects his concentration level. “I enjoy the challenge of playing against good competition.”

Combined, the teams produced only two hits, one by the Lions Mitch Moorman, and the other a double off the bat of Heritage’s Jon Spada. The Stallions offense was stagnant, and head coach Carm Mazza knows they must get better if they are going to compete for a state title this season.

“We’re behind,” said Mazza, when asked his assessment of his offense. “I think we had three quality at-bats tonight. We have to swing the bats. We were in some 0-1, 0-2 counts, and we were defensive, and we didn’t swing the bats. We’ll never get mad at them if they’re swinging at first pitch fastballs. That’s how you learn how to hit, you’ve got to swing the bats. We’re a little disappointed, but we’ll get better.”

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