Palm Beach Gardens Continues Magical Run, Beats Dwyer 10-7

Bradley Emery gets set for his last at-bat.

After facing each other three times this season, the familiarity of both squads would have made for a mundane night at the ballpark. After all, both Palm Beach Gardens and Dwyer are coming off of pitchers’ duels, so everyone expected another pitching showdown.

But the game became a slugfest as both squads came out swinging early and often. The Gators capitalized on a five-run first inning to beat the Panthers 10-7 and advance to Friday’s regional final where Gardens will meet the winner of tonight’s Flanagan/West Broward game. Gardens will travel if Flanagan wins.

“I was happy with our approach at the plate,” Gators coach Joe Russo said. “I knew if we stuck to our plan, we would have a good night.”

He was right as the Gators started the game with back-to-back-to back singles from Nick Gallo, Jean Cancio and J.J. Schwartz. Schwartz’s single brought in Gallo to make it 1-0. The next batter, Pavin Smith, grounded out into a potential double play, but a miscue by the second baseman allowed for a run to score, making it 2-0. James Jean made them pay as he followed with an RBI double. Matt Williams added another with an RBI single, and Jean scored the final run on a wild pitch.

The Panthers answered in the bottom half as an error and hits by Tim Lynch and Hunter Hope loaded the bases with one out. Patrick Pinek brought one in on a fielder’s choice that kept the bases loaded. Bobbi Nichols made it 5-2 with a sacrifice fly.

In the next inning, the Gators tacked on three more. Lead-off hitter Nick Gallo singled to start the inning and chased starter Bradley Emery after one inning. Freshman Tom Szapucki took over for Emery but did not fare any better as he gave up two runs on two walks and a hit before being lifted for Cheyne Bickel.

Luckily for the Panthers, Bickel was on his game, mowing down the next hitter to keep the score 8-2.

“I knew Bickel would be ready, like he has all year,” said Torre. “We needed quality innings from him so we could get back in the game.”

The Panthers answered in the bottom half with two runs of their own as Jamal Martin doubled in Genero DeBrand from second base and scored on an RBI single by Lynch.

After another miscue allowed the Gators to score another run in the top of the fourth, the Panthers came back with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Emery doubled to put runners on second and third with nobody out. Martin followed with an infield single and advanced on the errant throw by the second baseman. Emery scored on the play to make it 9-6. Hunter Hope drove in the last run of the inning on an fielder’s choice.

With a two-run deficit, Bickel kept the Panthers within distance, but the Gators manufactured another run in the top of the seventh inning. Zion Bell singled with one out and after a passed ball and a ground out, scored on an infield single by Cancio to make it 10-7.

With their season in the balance, the Panthers would not go down without a fight. Pinek led off with a single. After a single by Duke Stenkel and a hit batsman, the Panthers had the bases loaded with two outs for Emery.

Russo decided not to take any chances and bring in Joey Boyd.

“I did not want to have to use him tonight,” Russo said. “I thought I was going to need him for three or four innings, but when we got the big lead, I didn’t plan on sending him out there.”

It was a good thing he did, as Boyd set down the power-hitting Emery to capture the victory.

“It’s great,” said Nick Gallo, who finished the night 3-for-5. “No one really expected us to be here, but we know we can play and compete with anyone here.”

For the Dwyer Panthers, it was a tough pill to swallow as they saw their season end, but it was a great year for them. They captured a district title and advance to the regional semifinals.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” Torre said. “All year, they battled back and fought for me. Emery was such a vital part of our success. He always kept us in the thick of things. This group has been here since the beginning. It will be hard to see them move on.”

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