On Wednesday, March 18, on a beautiful Florida afternoon, the Braves’ baseball team defeated the University Cougars, 4-2, in a well-pitched, exciting game.
The Cougars started well, loading the bases in the bottom of the first. But after a good play by the Braves infield, that problem was easily solved. Senior pitcher Kevin King threw two strikeouts in the second inning, holding the score at 0-0.
Scoring did not begin until the top of the fifth inning, with sophomore second baseman Christopher Jones batting in senior rightfielder Thomas Townsend. Senior centerfielder Adam Anderson followed with a RBI.
The Braves held their 2-0 advantage for only an inning, after King walked in a Cougar while the bases were loaded with one out. Again the defense played well, with senior shortstop Ramon Alejo leading a 6-4-3 double play to finish the sixth inning.
Junior third baseman Winston Carias led the final inning with a single, and then senior Justin Teague replaced him as a pinch runner. Teague eventually scored after Anderson hit the ball to the pitcher, who then threw the ball over the third baseman’s head. Alejo hit a sacrifice fly, which scored Jones.
King pitched 6 ⅔ innings and allowed two runs. He also threw three strikeouts in his near-complete game. Senior Onasis Matos accumulated two hits and one walk on balls.
The Braves are riding on a five game win streak and are now 11-3 in the regular season. They will play their next game against the Apopka Blue Darters on March 25, at Apopka at noon.