John I. Leonard Defeats Boca Raton In The 11th

Dylan Santalo went 4-for-6 in win.

With great all-around team play, the John I. Leonard was able to outlast Boca Raton 8-7 in 11 innings Tuesday night in a District 8A-10 game.

The Lancers improved their district record to 3-2.

The Bobcats struck first by scoring two runs in the second due to a few defensive mistakes and added another in the fourth inning on a RBI double to left by left fielder Mike Spooner.  Bobcats starting pitcher Evan Lahr shut down the Lancer’s offense for three innings, but got into some trouble in the fourth inning.

Lancer’s second baseman Austin Hernandez started a fourth-inning rally by leading off the inning with a walk and stolen base to get into scoring position.  With one out, right fielder Javier Casas brought in the first run with a base hit and then stole second base to get in scoring position for catcher Elliott Rodriguez.  Rodriguez continued the rally by hitting a shot to bring in Casas for the third run in the inning.  First baseman Oscar Singh wasted no time and followed Rodriguez with a RBI double to make it the third straight RBI hit for the Lancers.  The Lancers were able to add one more run due to a RBI single by third baseman Chris Perez.  Broncos made a pitching change and brought in Matt Alen from the bullpen who was able to end the four inning rally for the Lancers.

Lancers starting pitcher Jared Johnson, who struggled a bit with control in the beginning, settled down and kept the Lancers in the game by throwing six great innings only allowing one earned run and recording eight strikeouts.  The Lancers offense continued manufacturing runs in the fifth as shortstop Dylan Santalo, who had an outstanding game going 4-for-6 with three stolen bases and two runs, reached on with a lead off base hit and then stole second.

Michael Amditis hit the game tying 2-run triple in the 7th.

“I felt great.  It’s always nice to come out of this type of game with a win,” said Lancer’s Dylan Santalo.  “I did what I could to help the team.  This was a great win for us and we will continue to work hard everyday.”

Hernandez then laid down a perfect bunt to move Santalo to third which designated hitter Noel Casas brought the run in with a sacrifice fly to right field. The Lancers, who also scored another run in the sixth with an RBI double by Perez, went into the top of the seventh with a 6-3 lead.

Even though the Bobcats were down three runs in the seventh, they were not going to go out quietly.  The Lancers brought in Austin Hernandez  to close the game, but ran into trouble early on by walking the first two batters.  With one out, Bobcats catcher Cale Brader hit a single up the middle bringing in one run.  Third baseman Mike Amditis then comes up with a huge two-run triple tying the game 6 – 6.

The Lancers then brought in Noel Canete in relief.  Amditis was able to score the go ahead run for the Bobcats on a pass ball.  Canete settled down and got the next to outs stopping the Bobcats own rally in the seventh.  The damage was done and the Bobcats were able to comeback and score 4 runs in the seventh to take the lead.

The Bobcats new relief pitcher Alex Katz and the Broncos Canete entered a great pitching duel.  Both threw 4 shutout innings allowing each others team to have an opportunity to win the ball games.  The Bobcats came close to winning the game first in the 9th.  Right fielder Dakotah Radabaugh started the inning with a infield base hit, but was thrown out by Rodriguez trying to steal second, which became a crucial out in the game due to the fact that it saved a run from scoring since T.J. Tamaccio and Joey Daidone followed with back to back hits which then caused Spooner to be intentionally walked to load the bases.  Leon then hit a line drive to the Lancers pitcher Canete who made a great play and doubled up the runner on first to get out of a bases loaded jam.

Elliott Rodriguez continues rally with RBI hit

Both teams continued battling all games, but the Lancers were able to come up on top.  With two outs, Lancers Perez hit a base hit  and makes it to second due to a pass ball.  Santalo then follows with an infield hit which caused the winning run to score from second.

“We had a lot of heart, we kept fighting every inning,” said Lancers catcher Elliott Rodriguez.  “We didn’t quit.  Our pitching did extremely well which allowed our bats to respond.  It was a great overall team effort.”

Though the Bobcats had to suffer the lose, Coach Clagett was very pleased the way his team battled throughout the game.

“That was a great played game by both teams.  They got the job done at the end,” said Boca Raton coach Rick Clagett.  “We had plenty of opportunities but we just couldn’t get it done.  Credit to the Lancers pitching they did a great job.”

Up next for John I. Leonard will be Olympic Heights at home Wednesday night.  Boca Raton will host Park Vista Thursday night.

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