Park Vista Defeats Haines City in Pitching Duel

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In a game that was actually closer than the score indicated the Park Vista Cobras defeated the visiting Haines City Hornets 3-0 behind a complete-game shutout by James Marinan. The contest was a true pitcher’s duel, as Haines City’s Edwin Serrano matched Marinan’s efforts with a strong performance that took him into the sixth inning.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning as Serrano kept the home Cobras from mounting any kind of offensive threat. Serrano gave up a leadoff single to Cobras shortstop Zach Padgett in the first, and a fielders choice replaced Padgett with Dylan Santiago at first base. After that, Serrano proceeded to set down the next five batters before allowing a single to Cobras left fielder Dylan Ganci.

The Cobras (6-0) were finally able to string some hits together in the fourth inning, after Joe Kelley was hit by a pitch to get things started. Marinan proceeded to line a single past the left side of the Hornets infield to put two runners on base for the home team. Drew Kendall then laced a single to the outfield to produce the first run of the night and a 1-0 lead for Park Vista.

“Wow, what a pitching duel. That’s two games in a row we have had to endure and get the job done on the hill,” Park Vista manager Larry Greenstein said. “To play two quality teams like Boca Raton and Haines City back-to-back really helped us learn to hang in there until the end. Both pitchers did outstanding jobs but thankfully, we were able to get a few timely hits to score some runs. The great catch by Ganci sure helped us out. Add the clutch at bats by Drew tonight and we get out of here with a win.”

The top of the first inning started strong for the visiting Hornets, as they got a single from Sam Koruschak, followed by a ground out and then another single to left by Hornets third baseman Angel Colon. But the inning fizzled out without the Hornets able to push across an early run on the road.

In the fourth inning they had another promising start as Zach Jackson led off with a single to right field and was followed by a base on balls to Angel Colon. Unfortunately, the next three batters were unable to plate either of the base runners thanks in large part to an outstanding diving catch by the Cobras right fielder Dylan Ganci that kept the Hornets off the board. Cobras second baseman Dylan Santalo made a diving stop to knock a potential hit down and throw out the runner for the third out of the inning.

The top of the sixth was short but memorable, as the Park Vista defense stepped up thanks in large part to two nice plays by shortstop Zach Padgett. Cobras first baseman Emanuel Fernandez also made an excellent play to pick a low throw from Padgett for the final out.

Serrano matched the Cobras hurler inning for inning until the sixth. He struck out the first batter of the inning but then gave up a double to deep left-center field to catcher Joe Kelley. A walk to Marinan put two runners on for the hitting hero of the night, Drew Kendall. Kendall didn’t disappoint the home fans as he struck for another single to plate his second RBI of the night.

“I want to thank the coaches for giving me a chance to play as a sophomore,” Kendall said. “To hit in the number five hole was a real responsibility and to be able to come through for my team was a great feeling.”

Serrano was relieved by Corey Tucker, but coming into such a tight spot was difficult. Tucker handled himself well, getting a strikeout before issuing a walk to Patrick Skibiski to force in the second run of the inning. Colon then made a nice diving catch to his left to record the third out of the inning and prevent any further damage.

Starting the seventh down 3-0, the Hornets tried to muster a late inning rally. But Marinan finished strong, as he got a ground out from the first batter in the top of the seventh. He walked the next batter, Javious Merriweather, but then settled down and struck out the next two batters to end the game on a high note and complete the seven-inning shut out.

“It was a real team effort tonight,” Marinan said. “Without the plays my defense made and the clutch hitting tonight the score could have been different. I knew I had the start tonight and just had to do my part and let my teammates do their part and we could come out of here with a win.”

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