Suncoast Trio Combines to No-Hit Boynton Beach

Suncoast ace Jack Granger helped the Tigers no-hit Boynton Beach

Suncoast manager Brook Cross didn’t go into the game against Boynton Beach thinking about a no-hitter, but he knew pitching would be the key to his team’s success.

Right-handers Jack Granger, Wil Engel and Casey Goldenberg allowed just two baserunners while striking out eight to spark visiting Suncoast over Boynton Beach 9-0 in the District 5A-15 opener for both teams on Tuesday.

“I’ve said it before, we’re going to rely on our pitching this year so I expected a good performance out of our pitchers,” said Suncoast manager Brook Cross.

Granger, a senior and the staff ace, started and went two innings in a tune-up for Friday’s key district game against Jensen Beach. He allowed one baserunner, Erik Dietrick, who reached on a error with two outs in the second.

Engel, a junior, started the third inning and pitched three innings, striking out four, including the side in the fifth.

Goldenberg, a sophomore, started the sixth and walked Victor Hughes with one out in the seventh. He struck out the next two batters to end the game.

The Tigers broke open the game with six runs in the fifth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate. Senior catcher Troy Hoecker’s three-run double into the left-field corner highlighted the outburst.

Granger added an single and Jason Walker hit an RBI double to help the offense in the fifth.

Hoecker, Engel and Granger finished with two hits apiece for Suncoast (1-2). Engel also had two RBIs, including a safety squeeze for the game’s first run with one out in the fourth inning.

“I expect (Troy and Jack) to produce,” said Cross, of his senior captains. “As they go we go as a team. They’re kind of the spark that got us going.”

Boynton Beach manager Evan D’Angelo wasn’t surprised his offense hasn’t found its’ groove yet. He has stressed defense early in the season in hopes of keeping game close and low-scoring.

Wil Engel squares to bunt home Suncoast’s first run in their 9-0 win.

The Tigers have scored one run in two games, both losses, so far this season.

“Bats have never been part of our game. That’s always been our struggle,” said D’Angelo, whose team cut down on their strikeouts from 10 to 8 but also had two less hits.

“A lot of guys were tentative with their bats, going down in the count,” added D’Angelo. “These guys are throwing strikes. All those pitchers, they throw well. We have very little experience with the bats. I’ve got two freshmen starting, two sophomores starting and two kids who have never played baseball until this year starting.”

Boynton’s ace, junior right-hander Kyle Tedesco, pitched five innings, giving up seven hits while striking out two and walking one.

“He really only made a few mistakes pitching,” said D’Angelo. “He left just a couple pitches down the belt against the wrong hitters. I probably could’ve pulled him a little earlier but he had a very low pitch count. He’s only a junior…and he’s got to learn how to get out of jams.”

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