Farjad, Seminole Ridge Outduel John I. Leonard

Freshman Kyle Farjad of Seminole Ridge struck out 10 to lead the Hawks to their first district title game.

Freshman pitcher Kyle Farjad has grown up during the season.

The left-hander was brought along slowly, working mainly in relief early in the season. But when ace Zach Berry was hurt late in the season, Farjad assumed that role.

His complete-game performance helped propel Seminole Ridge to their first district title game in school history with a 5-4 come-from-behind triumph over John I. Leonard in the 10A-8 semifinals Tuesday night in Greenacres.

Second-seeded Seminole Ridge plays top-seeded Park Vista, the defending champion, Thursday at 7 p.m. at John I. Leonard. The Cobras defeated Spanish River 9-2 in the first semifinal. The teams split the regular-season series; the Hawks won 2-1 and the Cobras won 5-2.

“It’s his gutsiest (performance) for sure,” said Seminole Ridge manager Trent Pendergast, referring to Farjad. “He pitched a couple great games mid-season that he had just lights-out stuff. I don’t think he had his best stuff tonight, which makes it even more impressive, but it’s certainly his gutsiest.”

Farjad struck out 10, including the side in the seventh to end the game. He also walked four and surrendered three hits but allowed only one runner in the final four innings.

“What a great job,” said Pendergast. “He’s a freshman and obviously nerves come into play. He was a little tight at the beginning of the game. We tried our best to keep him loose and then when the fourth inning hit, and they made (the) errors, he sucked it up and battled through it. I couldn’t be more proud of somebody. It was a phenomenal pitching performance whatever grade your’re in. He happens to be a freshman and he pitched like a 20-year-old kid who’s ready to graduate.”

The Lancers (12-11), who took a 1-0 in the first inning, added three runs in the third without a hit.

Adam Johnson worked a one-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and stole second. Alberto Hernandez walked and an error on the shortstop on a ball hit by Noel Canete scored Johnson and put runners on second and third. An error on Elliot Rodriguez’s grounder allowed both runners to score.

Pendergast reminded his players there was plenty of time left after the bad inning.

“Keep battling, put a run on the boards and you never know what’s going to happen,” Pendergast told his team. “We teach from day number 1, one thing that’s never going to happen ever at Seminole Ridge is we’re going to stop playing hard during a game.”

The Hawks (13-11-1) had come back from deficits many times during the season according to Pendergast and had one more rally left.

The began their road back in the fifth when Farjad’s RBI groundout scored David Moss, who had singled to lead off the fifth, moved to second on a balk and stole third. That cut the margin to 4-2.

Seminole Ridge took the lead with three runs in the sixth inning without a hit.

John I. Leonard senior pitcher Austin Hernandez allowed only two hits against Seminole Ridge.

Tyler Murley was hit by a pitch and moved to second on Jason Moore’s walk. Freshman Brooks Aristy was inserted as a courtesy runner for Moore.

Senior Alex Aristy laid down a bunt on the first pitch and Leonard pitcher Austin Hernandez’s throw to third sailed into left field, scoring Murley to make it 4-3, and putting runners on second and third.

With Carmine Ciofolletti batting, Hernandez unleashed a wild pitch on the first pitch, allowing Brooks Aristy to score to tie the game and putting Alex Aristy at third. Moss’s sac fly to center on the first pitch scored Alex Aristy with the eventual winning run.

“They put it together in the sixth inning,” said Pendergast. “That was exciting.”

Lancers’ starter, senior right-hander Austin Hernandez, allowed only two hits but walked six and hit one batter. He struck out six.

“He (Hernandez) had good movement on his ball,” said John I. Leonard manager Roger Vasquez. “It’s a hard way to lose the game but I think the boys played a great game.

“We’ll be fine. Come next year we have a good group of freshman, a good crop of pitchers coming up. We’ll be competing real well. We’re looking forward to it.”

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