Youth Is Served, Trinity Christian Wins 15th District Crown

Youth served Trinity Christian in the Warriors’ 9-2 win over Jupiter Christian on Thursday in the 2A District 14 Tournament title game at Santaluces Sports Complex.

Freshman Micah Herring delivered three hits, drove in three runs and scored another while eighth-grader Mason Ryder finished with three hits and scored three runs. Eighth-grader Alec Cabrerra also scored a run.

In addition, freshman pitcher Payton Warner got the win on the mound, recording eight strikeouts over 5.1 innings while yielding just four hits and three walks.

A four-run sixth inning put the game out of reach, extending the Warriors’ 5-2 lead. They jumped out early, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings for a 4-0 lead.

This is district title No. 15 for Trinity Christian Academy, put perhaps none more improbable.

“What was special about this title is that we started the season down a bit, young players, but at the end they all came through at the right time,” said Trinity Christian manager Miguel Cuello.

The Warriors (10-12) lost eight of their first nine games this season but have since turned things around and enter regionals on a five-game win streak.

“We are looking forward to regionals on Wednesday whether we travel or we play home,” Cuello said. “It’s been a great season. I’m proud of those boys, who kept together and trusted the process at the end.”

That’s not to say the Warriors don’t have senior leadership. They do. Seniors Erick Soto (2-4, run), Elijah Andino (2-4, RBI), Oscar Diaz (RBI) and Manny Espino, Jr. (1-2, 2 RBI, 2 runs) played key rolls in the victory as well.

Espino also pitched the final 1.2 innings of no-hit relief, striking out two and walking two. And his two-run homer in the second inning grew the Warriors’ lead to 4-0 and sent them on their way to an impressive victory.

But Jupiter Christian put up a good fight.

“Just proud of the way our guys battled tonight,” said Jupiter Christian manager Kennie Silvestri. “We pitched well. We really battled and stayed in the game as long as possible.

“Congrats to Miguel and Trinity Christian. They came out played a good baseball game and we wish them luck in the regional tournament.”

Jupiter Christian’s Jaden Kostura provided the Eagles with their runs on a two-run double in the third inning, slicing their deficit in half and making it a 4-2 ballgame. Jack Koza and Benjamin Dulin scored. Matthew Schulz and Camble Ray also had a hit each for the Eagles (10-11-1).

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