Lancers Overcome Six Run Deficit To Defeat Trojans

Lancer players celebrate their comeback win.

Sometimes early season struggles can lead to a season-long slump. And sometimes, a game like Monday night happens for a team, and turns their season around.

John I. Leonard has had a rough start to their 2023 campaign, losing their first three games. On Monday, the Lancers appeared headed for another loss, as they trailed Lake Worth 6-1 entering the sixth inning. The final two innings, however, Leonard found some magic, scoring two in the sixth, and six more in the seventh to stun the Trojans 9-6.

“Just a great comeback win for our guys tonight,” said Lancers Manager Casey Beck. “The boys knew I had a tough week, after losing my dog after 17 years. It’s been hard on me, but they rose to the top tonight. That was a huge win for us.”

On the other side, Lake Worth was looking to bring their record back to the .500 mark, and it appeared early on that they were poised to do so.

After giving up a run in the first, the Trojans took their first lead of the night by putting up a three spot in the second.

Whenley Deroncelly Jr. was hit by a pitch to start the inning. After a Kenny Curley walk, Logen Muma doubled, tying the game at one.

After a flyout and a walk, Curley scored on a passed ball, and Eric Bartimore hit a sacrifice fly, gving Lake Worth a 3-1 lead.

The score stayed that way until the fifth, when the Trojans struck again. The three run inning was highlighted by a Bartimore double.

The Lake Worth dugout looks on during the intense match-up with the Lancers.

Trailing 6-1, the Lancers were running out of outs, and in the sixth, were finally able to cut into the lead.

Victor Garcia, Sandy Montero, and Shawn Lopez all drew walks to load the bases with nobody out. After a strikeout, Bryant Santana cut the lead to 6-2 with an RBI single. A Marc Ortiz single would chop the lead to 6-3.

After a quick bottom of the sixth, the Lancers came to bat in the final frame with the prospects of starting the season 0-4, but their offense had other ideas.

After a groundout, Victor Garcia walked, and Montero singled to start the comeback. After another walk, Adam Nachawi was hit by a pitch, bringing the score to 6-4. A Santana single made it 6-5, and Rafi Doble De La Cruz had a bunt base hit to tie the game.

Ortiz then gave the Lancers their first lead since the first inning with an RBI single. Another bunt brought in the eighth run, and when De La Cruz scored on a wild pitch, Leonard suddenly had a 9-6 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Steven Montes, in his second inning of work, gave up a lead-off single, but then was able to settle in and close out the win for the Lancers.

Leonard players getting some instruction during the game.

The loss was a tough one for Lake Worth, who after winning their first two games, have now lost their past four.

“Tonight obviously wasn’t the way to go for us,” said Trojans senior Liam Landers. “It was a tough game. Hats off to them, and hopefully we will see them again in districts.”

Beck, a veteran manager, understands this is only one game, but liked what he saw from his guys.

“It was a lot of young guys out there tonight, and they responded with a great comeback win.”

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