Written by: Joey Acla

Article Photo Credit: Alanna Hernandez 

For what feels like the first time in a week, the South Florida Collegiate League saw some action, with 4 out of the 6 games on the slate finishing in full this afternoon into evening. Rain has held the league hostage for the past couple of days, limiting the amount of play to be had; however, today seemed to be a step in the right direction. The only two games that could not be played came between the Boca Beach Boys vs. the Boca Raton Blazers, and the Boca Raton Lions vs. the Fort Lauderdale Hooks. The Blazers and Beach Boys will play on Sunday, June 16th, at 1:00 PM while the Hooks and Lions game will be rescheduled for a later date.. Now onto today's action…

Fort Lauderdale Hooks vs. Boynton Beach Buccaneers 

In today's first game The Hooks took on the Bucs at Harry Gribbon Field at West Boynton Park. Toeing the rubber for the Hooks was CJ Bussell, a sophomore at Palm Beach State College making his first start of the summer. The Bucs handed the ball over to their sophomore from Rutgers University-Camden, Danny Torres, who was making his second start for them this summer. Early on, it was a pitchers duel as both starters had a clean first. However, the Hooks would jump on Torres in the second pushing across two, thanks to a couple walks issued. Although the Bucs started to answer back, tallying one in both the fourth and fifth, the Hooks were able to keep the pedal down and hold it out to win with a score of 6-4. The Hooks were fueled at the dish by their freshman from The Citadel, Zain Diaco, who walked twice and scored three out of the Hooks’ six runs. 

West Palm Beach Iguanas vs. West Boca Snappers

Moving down to West Boca Raton and Burt Aaronson Park, the Snappers held host to the Iguanas in this midday affair. The bats were silent early for both teams, as the Iguanas whole-staff approach and the Snappers starter Zac Dodson, a senior from Valdosta State University were lights out. This duel would not go on forever though, as the Snappers began scoring in the bottom half of the sixth driving in eight runs, stealing any momentum the Iguanas had. This eight-run inning was carried by the Snappers’ designated hitter Jose Fernandez. The sophomore from Monroe College blasted his first home run of the summer, scoring three. The Snappers would not look back, sending the Iguanas back to West Palm Beach with a loss and a score of 8-5.

Florida Pokers vs. Delray Beach Lightning

Moving up to Delray, Little Fenway was the site of the only double header of the day as the Pokers took on the Lightning. In game one, the Lightning jumped on the starter early by scoring two in the bottom of the first. These plays would be Delray’s only offense for the next five full innings, as the Pokers starter Zach Redner settled in and gave his team six strong innings of work on the bump. The teams would fight back and forth until Marco Navarro, the junior from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, would hit a single to drive home the equalizer, sending the teams into extra innings. The Pokers would tally one in the top half of the 8th, but the Lightning would hold out and walk it off, ending the game at the score of 5-4.

Unlike game one, game two turned out to be a lopsided affair as the Lightning had their way with the Pokers pitching staff, notching 15 hits, six walks, and 13 runs. The Lightning bullpen silenced the bats of the Pokers with both Kyle Knoll, the junior from Erskine College, and Joe Thomas, the sophomore from Northwest Florida State, posting good outings to close out the game. The Lightning swept the doubleheader with a 13-4 victory in game two.

Coconut Creek X Team vs. Palm Beach Xtreme

To round out the day, the Xtreme took on the X-Team at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton at the only night game of the day. The Xtreme jumped on the X-Team’s starter early, scoring three in the first. These plays set the tone for the game, as the Xtreme would continue to pull away, ending this one by run-rule with a score of 10-0 in favor of the Xtreme. The shutout was led by starter Marc DeNunzio, the junior from North Carolina Wesleyan, who pitched five complete innings while striking out six X-Team batters. The Xtreme’s offensive onslaught was led by Zaid Diaz, the sophomore from Chipola College, and Tyler Lichtenberger, the freshman from Appalachian State University, who both hit home runs in the game.

It is great to see action kicking back up in the SFCBL after being sidelined all week long due to unfavorable weather conditions. Looking towards tomorrow, there are four games slated all around the league, including the Coconut Creek Diamond Ducks and the Delray Beach Wave, who return to action for the first time in over a week. Check back in tomorrow to see how all the games pan out on a beautiful Father’s Day down here in the South Florida sun!