The Pace High School Spartans varsity baseball team came alive during the Region 4-5A Tournament, beating Pompano Beach High School 9-3 in the finals on May 10.
The regional tournament started off with an intense game against Key West High School on April 27. The Spartans threw their ace, senior Christopher Rodriguez, who pitched the entire game and throwing 15 strikeouts. Senior Jonathan Ledesma hitting a single, followed by pinch runner Nicolas San Marty stealing second base, set up Jonathan Reyes Diaz and Bryan Diaz to hit consecutive doubles to win the game 2-1.
The Spartans faced Gulliver Preparatory School in the regional semifinals on May 3 in what proved to be a close game. Christopher Rodriguez put on another great performance by allowing only 2 runs. The Spartan offense roared back late in the game for a come-from-behind 4-2 victory to take the team to the regional finals.
The regional championship against Pompano Beach was perhaps the most exciting game of the tournament. Junior Manuel Rodriguez closed for Christopher Rodriguez, who started his third straight game and threw 12 strikeouts. A tricky steal of home plate by senior Jonathan Reyes Diaz and home runs by juniors Bryan Diaz and Anthony Sanabria lead the Spartans to a 9-3 win and a raucous celebration by the Spartans.
The Spartans will face Bishop Moore High School in the state semifinals on May 18 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. A win there will mean a trip to the state championships the following night. Pace is seeking its seventh state baseball championship, the last came in 2006.
“We have one goal and one goal only” said junior right fielder Bryan Diaz. “To bring the trophy back to Pace.”