Kaps, Hartigan Pitch Suncoast Over Seminole Ridge, 1-0

Suncoast’s Chaz Kaps dominated Seminole Ridge, striking out seven in six innings.

Suncoast manager Brook Cross expected an outstanding performance from Chaz Kaps and the junior left-hander delivered.

Kaps pitched six innings, striking out seven and walking one while scattering three hits to help ninth-ranked Suncoast edge Seminole Ridge 1-0 in a non-district game that lasted less than two hours on Thursday night.

“Chaz was phenomenal,” said Cross. “I said it at the beginning of the season we’re going to rely on our pitching. We’ve got a great pitching staff. I think pound-for-pound, (it’s) the best pitching staff in the county, if not the state or the nation.”

Braden Hartigan, who started at third base, pitched the seventh, and picked up the save, preserving Kaps’ fourth victory.

After getting Kyle Farjad to ground out to short on the eighth pitch, senior catcher Jason Moore beat out an infield single behind second base. He was replaced by pinch-runner Brooks Aristy.

With Tyler Murley at bat, Aristy was thrown out at second on what appeared to be a missed sign. Murley then singled into shallow left-center but Hartigan induced Alex Aristy to pop-up to the catcher to end the game.

“You’re always one hit away in a one-run game,” said Cross. “They’re fun, but you’d like to tack on a couple more and get a little comfort.”

The Chargers have outscored opponents 18-2 in their last five wins, including three consecutive shutouts. They have won seven of their last eight, the only blemish a 1-0 defeat to Jensen Beach in a key district game.

Cross said he has confidence in all four of his starters, calling them all number ones.

“Those guys are phenomenal,” said Cross. “They’ve done a great job for us, allowing one run in our last three games and something like one earned (run) in the last 28 innings. You’re going to be in a lot of ballgames when guys throw like that.”

Jake Paez of Seminole Ridge allowed just three balls hit to the outfield against Suncoast.

Seminole Ridge starter Jake Paez was equally outstanding, retiring the first 10 batters before the Chargers (12-7) scored in the fourth inning on consecutive one-out singles by Wil Engel, Troy Hoecker and Jorge Ramos.

Paez, a junior, pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits. The soft-throwing lefty did not strike out anyone, he walked one and only three balls were hit into the outfield.

The Hawks defense turned in double plays in the sixth and seventh innings to quell other scoring threats.

“He (Paez) pitched great,” said Seminole Ridge manager Trent Pendergast. “He battled through some spots. We played great defense for him, and that’s the key. We just didn’t have any offense tonight.”

The Hawks (10-11) have lost three out of their last four, all by shutouts. David Moss had two of Seminole Ridge’s five hits and was stranded on third in the sixth inning.

Seminole Ridge was without injured starters Zach Berry, their ace who is also second on the team with 13 RBIs, and infielder Blake Selogy.

Neither are expected to play when the Hawks visit John I. Leonard Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in a key district game. Freshman left-hander Kyle Farjad is expected to start for Seminole Ridge. Leonard defeated Ridge 3-2 on March 12.

Suncoast has two non-district games before the playoffs — against Palm Beach Central on Tuesday and Palm Beach Lakes on Friday.

“We try to win every game we play,” said Cross. “We’re going to go full strength like we’ve done all year. We’re not going to change a thing.”

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