Meyer’s Walk Off Lifts Spanish River To 2-1 District Victory Over Boca Raton

Spanish River’s Mark Jahrsdoerfer fouls off a pitch before doubling and scoring the Sharks first run in a 2-1, nine-inning victory.

Boca Raton and Spanish River have a long storied history of close games with dramatic finishes.

Tuesday’s contest simply adds a new chapter to the tale.

Senior Cody Meyer delivered a walk-off RBI single to score Cameron Matis as the host Sharks prevailed with a 2-1 district victory in a nine-inning marathon played Tuesday evening at Spanish River High.

The Sharks (10-9) improve to 5-3 in District 8A-10, earning the second seed in the upcoming district tournament.

“We played a hard nine innings, and it is good to come out on top,” Meyer said. “It’s good to split with them; it boosts our confidence to know we can beat them. Home-field advantage means a lot too.”

Boca Raton won the earlier season match up in similar fashion. The Bobcats (8-14, 4-4) will face Spanish River again in the district semifinal, with the rubber match in the season series set to determine which of the two squads will advance to the district tournament while also earning a regional playoff berth.

After both teams squandered some scoring opportunities down the stretch, Matis reached on a one-out infield error and then advanced to second on a fielder’s choice groundout to set himself up in scoring position and bring Meyer to the plate.

“My teammates were all yelling for me, but I just wanted to make contact,” Meyer said. “I got lucky. But I’d rather be lucky than good.”

Freshman Billy Marion earned the victory for Spanish River after he replaced starter Mike Chambers in the ninth inning and recorded a perfect 1-2-3 inning.

Chambers was a workhorse for the Sharks, tossing 97 pitches over eight innings while recording seven strikeouts and allowing just one walk.

While both teams had several scoring chances, neither was able to find much success against the solid pitching and outstanding defense played throughout by both sides.

The Bobcats manufactured an early score in the top of the fourth inning to take a 1-0 lead. Left-fielder Mike Spooner led off with a single, stole second and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Schaefer Shephard. Sophomore Mike Smicklas then singled up the middle with two outs to send Spooner across the plate. Spooner was 2-for-3 batting out of the seventh slot in the line-up.

Boca starter Alex Katz limited Spanish River to one run over five innings in his first start of the season.

The Bobcats were unable to match that success the rest of the way, as Chambers settled in and Boca stranded their final six base-runners.

“They threw their ace, and he did a good job,” Bobcats coach Jeff Rosa said. “We had our opportunities. They made the plays, and that is a good job for them. We just have to do our thing, get a few hits and we will be there.”

The Sharks did not find much greater success against the Bobcats’ right-handed starter Alex Katz. Katz worked an effective five full innings on 74 pitches, scattering four hits, issuing three walks and recording a pair of strikeouts.

With one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, senior Mark Jahrsdoerfer crushed a pitch to left-center field for a standup double. He moved to third on a wild pitch and then scored easily when Boomer Saraga connected for an infield fielder’s-choice groundball.

Saraga was able to leg out the play for a single. He finished 2-for-4.

“We had a lot of guys on base and we can hit,” Meyer said. “This game showed we can win these games. The offense will be there.”

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