Entering Tuesday, May 5. the Wolves baseball team was 16-10. They were coming off a big upset win over Treasure Coast High School from the week before and had plenty of time to think about their regional semi-final game against rival University High School. It would be a rematch of the district championship, where the Wolves lost 2-0.
The trash talking went back and forth leading up to the playoff game between the two rivals.
“We can’t let the trash talking get to us because this game matters,” said senior Isaiah Arana.
Getting the ball on the mound for the Wolves would be senior Andrew Perez. Despite Perez having his number called out of the bullpen the previous three games, coach Tim Beaman wanted his ace starting on the rubber against the Cougars. He had looked exceptional against them in relief during the district championship.
Beaman’s decision would prove to be the right move. Perez threw a complete game shut-out, including only giving up two hits and striking out nine. After being given an early 2-0 lead in the second, Perez was dialed in.
In the sixth inning, the Wolves added to their lead. A walk by senior D’Quan Matthews and then an rbi single by senior Cameron Zook made it was 3-0. The Wolves didn’t look back.
In the seventh, Perez fanned away two more batters to close it out. The final score was 3-0, and the Wolves would move on to the regional finals. It was the biggest game of the season, and Perez came through with a gem. It was a clutch performance in a playoff game against a rival school. Hollywood couldn’t write a better story.
“I pitched pretty well. My off speed worked and my fastball was live today. It was solid through seven,” said Perez.
For the first time since 2012, the Wolves will compete for a baseball regional title and try to claim a spot in the state semi-finals. The team will go as far as their starting pitching will carry them, but their ace knows baseball is a team sport, and one player can only carry a team so far.
“They’re going to rely on me a lot, but it’s one piece,” said Perez. “We have to come together every time out. If it’s not me stepping up, it has to be the next guy.”
