Early Homers Set The Tone for #6 Suncoast Win

Hayden Neihoff and Manny Ones set the tone with early home runs and Palm Beach #6 Suncoast held off Palm Beach Gardens, 6-3, at home Wednesday.

But it took a couple of runs in the sixth inning and outstanding relief from Neihoff to put the game out of reach.

“Great game tonight, well-pitched on both sides,” said Suncoast manager Jimmy Beno. “It really came down to some timely hitting. And we played well on defense.”

A first-inning two-run homer by Ones gave the Chargers a 2-0 lead they never relinquished. Neihoff followed with a solo home run an inning later, matching the Gators’ run in the top half of the inning. Both teams added a run apiece in the third with the Chargers’ holding a 4-2 advantage before Palm Springs Garden made it a one-run game, 4-3 with a run in the fifth.

‘It was a big game for us (Palm Beach Gardens) is always a tough opponent for us,” Beno said. “They’re playing great, a very well-coached team, just great bats up and down the lineup. But well-played on our end. We were fortunate tonight in tough conditions, super windy, very rainy. But we were fortunate tonight to come out with a win.”

Lee Ellis (2-4, run), Brady Benevides (2-4, RBI), Ones (2-4, 2 RBI, run), and Brady King (2-3, 2 RBI) led a 10-hit attack for the Chargers, who also got strong pitching performances from both Benevides and Neihoff, who earned a save with 2.2 innings of one-hit relief. He struck out three in preserving the win for Benevides. The junior right-hander worked the first 4.1 innings, striking out six.

“I’m proud of our boys,” Beno said. “Benevides threw well and we brought in Braydon Niedhoff, who really kind of closed things down the last three innings. Just super proud of them and excited to come out with a victory tonight as get towards the end of the season.”

Luke Hogue led the way for Palm Beach Gardens.

“Luke went 4-for-4 (two runs scored), he’s just continuing a fantastic senior season,” said Palm Beach Gardens manager Matt Judkins.

Ian Vertucci (2-3, RBI, run), Colin Campbel (2-3), and Gavin Newby (1-2, 2 RBI) were also among the Gator standouts.

‘They just overall played better and in clutch situations did what they needed to do,” Judkins said. “Pitching and defense go a long way at any level and they just pitched and played a little bit better defense than us at key times.

“Overall, Suncoast is a very well coached team, very dangerous team. I look for them to be in the running to get to the Final 4 or at least deep in regionals again this year. So, it was a tough challenge for us, especially on the road, windy conditions, a little rain later.”

Lucas Valencia threw the first six innings for the Gators, scattering eight hits while striking out three.

“Lucas had a fairly solid game on the mound despite giving up a couple of home runs,” Judkins said. “It’s just a really good lineup for Suncoast.”

The Gators (8-12) are at Palm Beach Central for a 4:30 p.m. Thursday game.

“We’re looking to get back on track tomorrow at Palm Beach Central,” Judkins said.

Suncoast (15-4) travels to Park Vista for a 6:30 p.m. Thursday game.

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