Pace High School Spartan varsity baseball team is one of heart, pride, and brotherhood with a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. This year’s team continues that tradition with a 13-game win streak, a 6-0 district record, and a championship victory in the HSBN March Madness Shootout Gold Tournament.
The streak began in early March with a victory over American High followed by a series of home wins over Miami Springs Senior High, St. Brendan High School, and iMater Charter.
The team then defeated district rivals Immaculata-LaSalle High School 7-0 at Barry University, with senior Christopher Rodriguez pitching six innings and six strike outs, before finishing the month by winning the 16-team HSBN March Madness Shootout Gold Tournament.
"We have faced some of the best teams in all of South Florida and due to our impressive pitching staff and great defensive work, we have been successful" said pitching coach Charles Lyman.
“Our pitching staff has been our biggest strength,” said senior left fielder Jordan Topps. Key pitchers for the team include Christopher Rodriguez, who averaged 93-94 mph each game, and senior Jesse Castro with his impressive relief pitching.
Senior center fielder Jonathan Reyes-Diaz also credits the team’s pitching for their success. “We have excellent pitching, our chemistry as a team is amazing, we are brothers on and off the field, and we have amazing defense to back up the pitchers,” said Reyes-Diaz.
“I feel like we can go the distance and make it to [the state championships] to win it all,” said pitcher Manuel Rodriguez.
The Pace varsity baseball team will be having their Senior Night against Coral Springs Christian on April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Pace baseball field.