Spanish River Gains Important District Victory Over John I. Leonard

Spanish River’s Mike Chambers pitches out a first-inning jam before going the distance for a 2-0 shutout over the Lancers.

When Mike Chambers decides he is going to pound the strike zone, he isn’t kidding around.

The Spanish River senior ace unleashed a barrage of impressive pitches to lead his team to a 2-0 shutout victory over John I. Leonard on Thursday evening at Spanish River High.

The win moves the Sharks (10-10) to 4-3 in District 8A-10, with an opportunity to clinch the second seed in the district with a victory over Boca Raton on Tuesday.

“I felt good and strong, and everything was working,” Chambers said. “I just tried to get ahead and just throw strikes to back up our offense and defense. This was a big game and we have another big game against Boca. We’re ready for them.”

Of the 72 pitches thrown by Chambers, 59 of them went for strikes. The senior went the distance in the win, scattering three hits and hitting one batter without issuing any walks. He finished with 10 strikeouts.

The Lancers (4-16, 0-7) had their best scoring chance when Eddy Morel singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Javier Casas to get in scoring position. But Chambers responded by recording back-to-back strikeouts to escape the threat, and Leonard would not threaten again.

The Sharks did not fare much better offensively, as Lancers starter Noel Canete also had an impressive complete-game performance.

“We played well on defense, and our catcher Cody Meyer went at shortstop for us and he made a couple of nice plays behind Mike,” Sharks coach William Harvey said. “I’m still concerned with our offense, but the kids believe if they hang tough and make plays on defense they have an opportunity to win.”

Spanish River did all of its damage in the bottom of the fourth inning, which was the only time it was able to mount anything against the tough righty Canete.

The Sharks Josh Bloom bats in the bottom of the first inning.

Emerson Dresser led off with a bloop single to shallow left field and then stole second base. Josh Bloom then drew a walk, and designated hitter Colin McLaughlin squared up and laid down a bunt along the third-base line. The fielder made an attempt at third, but the throw went wild to allow both runners to come around and score.

Bloom attempted to stretch to third base on the play, but was caught out. This turned out to be a huge play in keeping the Lancers in the game after Jesse Weinberger and Boomer Saraga followed with back-to-back singles to extend the inning.

But Canete recorded consecutive strikeouts to end the threat.

The sophomore finished with eight strikeouts, throwing 59 of his 87 pitches for strikes while allowing five hits and issuing only two walks.

When the Sharks got their chance, they made sure to make the most of it.

“We’re right where we want to be, with an opportunity for the number two seed in the district,” Coach Harvey said. “They know what they have in front of them. They understand the big scheme of things.”

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