Scott Benedict Wins 500th Career Game As Palm Beach Central Tops Boca

Palm Beach Central coach Scott Benedict reached an incredible personal milestone with his 500th career coaching victory Wednesday as the host Broncos defeated Boca Raton 8-1 in front of an excited home crowd.

Palm Beach Central celebrates coach Scott Benedict’s 500th career coaching victory after beating Boca 8-1.

The reality is that Benedict’s mark on the Palm Beach Central baseball program is evident at every turn.

Since taking over the coaching reigns for the school when it first opened its doors in 2003, the legendary coach has been an active and enthusiastic part of everything associated with Broncos baseball.

In that time, Palm Beach Central has stamped its legend with a competitive and successful program that is a regular in regional play.

Wednesday’s accomplishment simply gave everyone in the Broncos community a chance to show their appreciation for the dedication and passion that Benedict has always brought to his position.

“He’s a college coach wearing a high school uniform,” Broncos assistant coach Sal VanCasteren said. “I thought I knew about coaching… until I met Scott Benedict. I never met a guy who paid attention to detail day in and day out. I wish him more continuous success throughout his career.”

His player’s love him, and they love playing for him. That was never more evident than on Wednesday as the team did its best to contain their excitement prior to the start of the game.

“We had a fire in our stomach today and we got it done for Coach B,” senior Hunter Morey said. “Every win is big for us, but this one is very special. We’ll all remember this for the rest of our lives.”

While everyone else tried not to stir any baseball jinx by talking about the giant elephant at the ballpark, Benedict calmly painted the baseline with the help of some of his players as per his usual pre-game routine.

Broncos coach Scott Benedict celebrates with his wife Jennifer after winning for the 500th time in his coaching career.

The coach later joked that after the lackluster way the team had performed in their previous two contests, he wasn’t sure the milestone win would come any time soon.

But on this day the Broncos never took their foot off the gas in extending maximum effort to make this moment happen there and then.

Palm Beach Central (10-2) turned to left-handed hurler John Padich for the start, and he picked up the victory to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Boca (6-7) did not go down easily, as the Bobcats were able to keep it close early on behind a defense and pitching staff that has performed well this season. But Boca’s hitting woes ultimately caught up with them, as the Broncos managed some late runs and the Bobcats were unable to match them when it mattered most.

“Where are the big hits?” Boca coach Jeff Rosa wondered. “There is only so much we can do to prepare, and we simply have got to string some hits together and score some runs.”

The Bobcats’ lone run came in the fourth inning after Andrew Sperling led off with a bloop single to right field and then advanced to second base on a passed ball to get into scoring position. Marcus Sierra followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and Dakotah Radabaugh drove Sperling in on a fielder’s choice groundout.

But the Bobcats would not threaten again, as Padich shut down six of the next seven he faced before Brady Roberson came on in the seventh to close it out in perfect 1-2-3 fashion.

Padich was impressive, throwing 62 of his 81 pitches for strikes and issuing but one walk. He struck out eight and allowed six hits in six innings of work.

Meanwhile the Broncos took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back, tacking on two in the third, and then putting it away with three runs in the fifth and another pair in the sixth. They pounded out 14 hits against the Bobcats’ Chris Sheehan and Schafer Shephard, as nearly every starter reached base.

Brady Roberson races against a Bobcats player to first base.

The Broncos’ offensive success Wednesday continued to come from the production of the top and bottom of the lineup reaching base and then the big bats coming through. Leadoff hitter Gage Morey was 3-for-4 and scored four runs, while Shawn Murray was 2-for-3 with two runs while batting last in the order.

Gage Morey doubled in the top of the first to pave the way for the Broncos’ offense, and then came in to stake the early lead when Ian Hagenmiller laced a shot down the third base line for an RBI double.

After the Bobcats got on the board to pull within 4-1, Palm Beach Central responded in the bottom of the fifth to put the game away.

While also earning the privilege to record the final out on the mound, the senior Roberson came up big at the plate by going 3-for-4 with four RBI and a run. In the fifth he started the scoring with an RBI single up the middle that sent Murray home. His RBI single in the third scored Joe Shue, after the designated hitter had singled to reach base. Roberson also knocked in the team’s last two scores when he sent a liner down the right field line to send Murray and Gage Morey home.

Senior Gabe Martinez was also 3-for-4 for the Broncos.

As soon as the last out was recorded the player’s mobbed their coach, congratulated him with a Gatorade shower and proudly donned specially-made T-shirts that were supplied by Benedict’s wife, Jennifer.

“Putting on the shirt and holding the sign is special,” Hunter Morey said. “There have been a bunch of players that have come through this program that did not get to enjoy this today.”

The Bobcats Dakotah Radabaugh was 1-for-3 in the loss to the Broncos.

Following the victory, Benedict hugged his wife Jennifer and daughter Heather in celebration before beginning to share the moment with what has grown into an extended family over the years. Among the numerous friends and fans was also team announcer Dick Sanford, who also announces the Miami Marlins home games and whom has been calling the Broncos’ home games for the past seven years.

The big ball coach with the youthful enthusiasm and remarkable attention to detail did not fail to thank every one who had come out in support.

“I just think of how lucky I am to have been able to associate myself with such outstanding players and coaches. I am very grateful and fortunate,” Benedict said. “It has not been about me. It has been a group effort.”

Benedict previously coached at Wellington and Forest Hill, and he got his start with a year at his alma mater North Shore High. After leaving the Wolverines, he had gone on to coach at North Florida under Dusty Rhodes. But in 2003, he returned to the area and was given the opportunity to start the Palm Beach Central program.

Now, less than 10 years later, he got to coach his team in a big game against a formidable opponent for an incredible career milestone.

“In the past we’ve had a lot of battles with Boca, and they’ve always had a good program,” Benedict said. “To do it in a solidly played game is excellent. I was impressed by how focused they were. They played with passion and energy, and it was nice to see.”

With so much at stake, the Broncos did not have to go far to find the right influence.

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