Kings Academy Edges Benjamin To Reach Regional Final

Dominic Mercurio goes 2-for-3 with a 3 RBI triple

Over the past few years, Kings Academy has been the thorn in the side of the Benjamin Buccaneers when the postseason rolls around. This year was no exception. Benjamin swept their way through their regular season in the district.

They were on a crash course with the Lions to meet again in the district championship game. Just like in the previous year, Benjamin got tripped up in the district title game, this time by Kings Academy pitcher Matt Tucker. Tucker had the Buccaneers batters confused all day by his variety of off-speed stuff.

That and a clutch single in the sixth by Lions first baseman James Vaughn gave Benjamin their first district loss of the season and Kings had back-to-back district titles.

Wins in their first-round regional games meant a rematch was in order with a spot in the regional championship game on the line. With Tucker again on the hill for the Lions, Benjamin had a shot at the ultimate revenge.

Just like last year, and two weeks ago, the Buccaneers fell short of advancing to that regional championship game and again it was Kings Academy who prevented them from getting there as the Lions won 6-5 and will host a regional final on Friday.

“It was a well-played game, just like every game with Kings,” Benjamin Manager Brian Kaplan said. “Both teams battled from the first out to the last and we expected that coming in here.”

Unlike the last meeting that saw both pitchers combine to allow only one run on 11 hits, both offenses were featured more on the day.

Matt Harris went 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, and two RBIs

It all got started in the bottom half of the first inning when Kings Academy sent all nine of its batters to the plate. The Lions got their first six batters on base consecutively, highlighted by third baseman Dominic Mercurio’s three-run, bases-clearing triple. Benjamin starting pitcher Bennett Sousa got the 7-8-9 hitters out in order but the damage had already been done.

“If you had told before the game that six runs in the bottom of the first would have won the game I would have been surprised,” Lions Manager Doug Magaw said.

Benjamin didn’t just roll over and quit. They answered back in the top of the second with four runs of their own.

Sousa and second baseman Logan Taplett lead off the inning with back-to-back walks. After third baseman Chad Swift advanced the two runners on a sacrifice bunt, Kyle Ruedisili cleared the bases with a two-run single to left. Kyle’s brother Kody hit a single down the line in right and both DJ Paone and Matt Harris hit RBI singles to bring in the Ruedisili brothers.

“We want to build successful men and successful men keep trying and they don’t give up and they have a lot of heart, Kaplan said. “I will put every other kid in my lineup against anyone else because they show that kind of character when the game is on the line.”

Benjamin would put up one more run in the fourth on a harris RBI double, but once again they were shut down by Kings Academy pitching. This time it was the performance of reliever John Carpenter.

Kings Academy will host Clearwater Central Catholic of Friday for the regional championship

After Tucker was taken out after the fourth inning, Carpenter was called upon to preserve the one run lead and get the save, and he did just that. In those three innings, he allowed only four Benjamin batters to reach base.

“Tucker did good,” Carpenter said. “He left me with the lead which is what we wanted and I got in there and I wanted to make it a good outing being a senior and all. I really had it today. My consistency was good. My off speed was good and my curveball was breaking pretty good. I was able to hit my spots really well and Ryan Johnson, our catcher, was calling some good pitches and it kept them off balance.”

Offensively for Benjamin, shortstop Matt Harris led the way going 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, and two RBIs.

Next up for Kings Academy is a regional championship game against Clearwater Catholic Central on Friday night.

It will be the Lions’ fourth consecutive trip to the regional title game, but this time, they will be the hosts. That, coupled with the maturity of the team, is something Coach Magaw will be the thing that finally gets them over the hump and to states.

“We have seven seniors and they have all been in this game for three years,” Magaw said. “So the idea that we are mature and not rattled by the opportunity to play in this game means we are looking forward to it. The opportunity for us to host this game is massive and we are excited.”

Leave a comment using your facebook account!