Lake Worth Christian Cools Off, Loses in Regional Quarterfinals

Lake Worth Christian’s bats went quiet during their 13-0 regional quarterfinal loss to Community Christian.

Lake Worth Christian came into the regionals on a roll, scoring 29 runs in two games to win their first district title since 2009.

But the two-day rain delay and a stellar performance by Myles Krupa cooled off the Defenders, who dropped a 13-0 decision to Community Christian of Stuart in the Class 2A quarterfinals Friday in Boynton Beach.

This was the eighth consecutive year the Defenders have lost in the regional quarterfinals. The Cougars have eliminated them in three of the past five seasons, including 12-2 last year.

They couldn’t solve Krupa, a hard-throwing right-hander who allowed just one hit and two baserunners in four innings. Krupa retired the final 10 batters in order.

“He wasn’t just up there throwing hard,” said Lake Worth Christian manager David Salley, referring to Krupa. “He was hitting spots.”

Salley was pleased with his starter, Jordan Marrs, who struggled with his control late in the game. He was relieved by Scott Lucas with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth.

“You had two good pitchers going. He (Marrs) was our guy,” said Salley. “He definitely was off a little bit. Two days ago, he pitched two innings. We limit him to 80 pitches, which is what he was at (when replaced in the fifth). Two days ago he probably was at 25 mark or so. But hey, that’s been our guy and we’re gonna ride him and see how it went.”

The Defenders, who trailed 1-0 when the game was called because of lightning, had their hearts broken in the bottom of the third.

Scott Lucas singled with one out and moved to third when Dustin Lee reached on an error. Lucas tried to score on Vinny Picardi’s fly to center but was called out in a bang-bang play at home.

Jordan Marrs of Lake Worth Christian started and took the loss in the regional quarterfinal.

“A little momentum turn there and the next inning they come out and score (two runs) and they continue on from there,” said Salley. “So it was a well-played game by them.”

The Cougars (8-14) added two more in the fifth and eight in the sixth, ending Lake Worth Christian’s season.

“I told the guys winning wouldn’t be so sweet if losing wasn’t so bitter,” said Salley. “They’ve come a long way. They’ve got two years under their belt of some very hard work and they went out and they got a district championship out of it. So that is something to learn with baseball but also with life. You put in the work and you will get the rewards. It doesn’t just come. I’m happy with the way they came together as a team at the end.”

The Defenders (7-17) lose two seniors, shortstop/pitcher Scott Lucas and catcher Matt Picardi.

“The majority of the team is sophomores so they’ve got a bright future,” said Salley. “I think they can learn from a game like today, keeping it together, keeping it positive, pushing each other in the right direction.”

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