Game of the Week: Summit Christian vs. Santaluces

Summit’s Petru De La Garza pitches in a preseason game.

When Santaluces Manager Nick Franco handed out his schedule to his coaching staff this season, they looked at him like he was crazy.

The Chiefs face some of the county’s toughest programs this year, and on Saturday, the team gets another strong test when it hosts Class 3A power Summit Christian in the HSBN Palm Beach Game of the Week.

Although these two teams do not have any strong rivalry, they do share a common respect for one another and what they are capable of.

“It is not a major rivalry or anything, but they are a quality team that we can gauge where we are at against,” Franco said. “We made it a competitive schedule that dictates playing teams that challenge us and make us ready for district play.”

The Game of the Week concept was created by HSBN with the intention of raising money for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, while also giving fans something to get excited about each week.

“I thought it was a no-brainer; it is a win-win opportunity,” Franco said about hosting the week’s premiere game. “It’s for a good cause and the kids get more exposure. It’s for the kids and this gives them a chance for exclusive coverage. The coverage HSBN gives them is unlike anything else.”

Summit Christian Manager John Drouin formerly coached at Santaluces with Franco when both served as assistants, and the two have maintained their friendship since. The two enjoy the chances to compete against one another and the challenges they present one another.

Cody Wager bats in a game earlier this season.

Last season, the two teams split in winning a game each when they faced off. But Saturday will be the only chance these two squads will get to play one another in 2013.

Meanwhile, each team has a pair of games it must play this week before even looking ahead to Saturday’s spotlight contest.

Summit Christian will host District 3A-13 rival Pope John Paul II and then travel to Forest Hill, while Santaluces plays at American Heritage Delray followed by a road visit to District 7A-13 foe Royal Palm Beach.

The Chiefs carry a four-game winning streak into this week’s action, and have been very strong on the mound in the process. Meanwhile, Summit Christian has averaged nearly eight runs per game and has traditionally been a very strong team offensively.

In Saturday’s match-up, Franco is hopeful the great equalizer will come in playing on their home field at Santaluces Sports Complex.

“I like our field. It’s a pitcher’s ballpark, and the wind is usually blowing in. I like to let the pitching and defense do the work,” Franco said. “It’s a good atmosphere, and we have the best concession stands in the county. Hopefully we will go in on a little win streak and get the home crowd more excited.”

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