West Boca starts Season In Style With Big Win Over PB Gardens

The 2023 District 6A-13 champion West Boca Bulls.

With roster turnover the way it it is in high school baseball these days, it is always tough to follow up a district championship and regional semifinal appearance. But what West Boca did on Tuesday night, makes them look even more scary than they were last year.

The Bulls wasted no time showing off their power capabilities in the first inning, scoring seven runs in both of the first two innings, and then cruising to a big win over Palm Beach Gardens.

“This was a great way for us to start the season,” said Manager Jerry Albert. “The offense started strong in the first two innings, and the hitting was really contagious.”

The offense was a group effort on the night, with eight different Bulls having hits.

The Broncos actually jumped out in front in the game when Cam Carpenter hit a one out double. After a walk and a hit by pitch, Ian Vertucci singled in the first run of the game. Bulls starting pitcher Daniel Norbeck then wiggled out of a bases loaded jam by enducing an inning ending double play.

In their half of the first, West Boca was led by leadoff man Parks Fucci, who walked to lead off the inning, scored, and then singled in the Bulls fifth and sixth runs later in the inning.

“Parks got a nice hit there in the first with that single to get us going,” said Albert.

In the second, senior Tyler Lichtenberger delivered the crushing blow of the game, a grand slam to put the Bulls up 13-1.

“Tyler’s grand slam really cemented the game for us tonight. And then matt (Pagan) coming up right after him and going back-to-back, those are two great shots,” said Albert.

From there, West Boca turned it over to Norbeck, who picked up the win, going four innings, and allowing only two earned runs.

“It was a good game for us,” said Albert. “Daniel pitched well. It was a short outing, because of the score, but sometimes those type games and outings are good early in the season, cause you have guys that can work up their inning count as the season goes on. Overall, it was a good start. After playing two really tough opponents in the preseason, it was nice to open up at home with a win.”

The Bulls will take their 1-0 record down South to Broward later in the week when they travel to face University School.

For the Broncos, it has been a tale of two very different games so far in 2024. While they struggled Tuesday night, they opened the season with an impressive 15-7 win over Royal Palm Beach.

The team will now regroup for a couple days, before hosting a Broward preseason favorite, Taravella, on Friday night.

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