Palm Beach Gardens’ Russo Earns 400th Coaching Victory

In celebrating his 400th career coaching victory on Thursday morning, Palm Beach Gardens coach Joe Russo felt pretty comfortable about avoiding the traditional Gatorade bath typically accompanying moments such as these.

The team was lining up to take a photo to commemorate the occasion and the ball coach had all of his players standing in front of him where he could see them.

Coach Joe Russo took very cool team photo to honor the head coach’s 400th win.

But he never suspected his assistant coaches.

Two unnamed members of the coaching staff – both former Gators themselves – did the honors and soaked the coach in traditional fashion.

“I never saw that coming,” Russo joked after Gardens blanked Deltona Trinity 12-0 to earn the coach his historic moment. “But it’s fitting coming from two of my former players.”

With the Gators (10-5) battling in the Florida League High School Invitational tournament in Sanford this week, there was concern that the milestone moment’s timing could affect the team’s play against such stout competition. Then, on the verge of the accomplishment, the team found themselves playing in a 9 A.M. contest while facing big left-handed Western Kentucky-signee Daniel Moritz.

But on this day the Gators were not to be denied their moment, jumping on Moritz early and cruising to the big victory in a five-inning shortened contest.

“We got on ‘em pretty good right off the bat,” Russo said. “We are fighting hard to get into the championship and the shutout was huge for us. I am honestly glad it’s over so we can move on and focus on the championship now.”

Gardens stretched its win streak to seven games, dating back to a big victory over district rival Palm Beach Central – a team whom they now are likely going to face in the tournament’s championship game on Saturday night.

“When we won against Central we were hoping it would jump-start our season,” Russo said. “We have beat some good teams. I am very proud of these guys; the kids are playing well.”

J.J. Schwartz got the Gators off on the right foot Thursday morning with a three-run homerun in the bottom of the first inning that set the tone on the day. Schwartz later added a two-RBI double on a two-strike hit with the bases loaded, as he finished 2-for-4 with two runs.

James Jean also connected for a three-run homerun on a pitch that Coach Russo estimated traveled roughly 450 feet.

“He absolutely killed that ball,” Russo said of Jean’s homer.

Jean was also 2-for-4 with four RBI, and Jean Cancio was 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI and Zion Bell was 2-for-2 with two runs.
Meanwhile, starter Brooks de Montluzin allowed only two scattered hits while striking out nine to pick up the victory on the mound.

With so much at stake, the Gators answered the bell and executed on every level.

“It’s been a great ride,” Russo said of his coaching career. “We have been to the state Final Four four times; and even though it would have been great to win one, it was still amazing. We have so many great players and great people involved in our program and my staff has a lot of my former players on it. It has just been a great experience.”

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