Ravens Defeat Dr.Phillips 4-2; Advance to States

This one had pitchers duel written all over it.

Josh Strong, a senior starter for Dr. Phillips High School would have to step up his game to keep up with Alonso senior, Jose Fernandez. Fernandez has been overpowering all season long. 

Indeed it was a pitching duel during last week's post season matchup between Alonso's Ravens and Dr. Phillips High School of Orlando.

Fernandez took The Panther batting order, three-and-out in the first inning, four-and-out in the second inning, three-and-out in the third inning, and three-and-out in the fourth inning. Dr. Phillips finally broke through in the fifth but not before Alonso did some damage in the third inning.

In the third inning, senior Dylan Gross of Alonso led off with a walk that sucked eight pitches away from Dr. Phillips’ Josh Strong. Senior Ronnie Cannon reached on an error by Panther shortstop, Jack Flaherty. Then senior Matt Brandy hit a double to right that scored Gross from second base.

The Panthers came alive in the top of the fifth. With two outs, seniors Myles Anderson and Arturo Tabales singled to move Matt Byerly to third and load the bases for lead-off hitter, senior Adam DeRusha.

DeRusha hit a hard grounder that took a big hop up and over a leaping Raven third-baseman, junior Juan Bracamonte. That sent Byerly across the plate. Then junior Jack Flaherty hit another ground ball at Bracamonte. This time, Bracamonte fielded it and made a good throw to first.

The game was tied at two when Alonso coach Orlando Faedo called timeout and went out to talk to his starter.

“He was struggling with the curveballs," Faedo said. "We just changed the pitch sequence."

Fernandez went on to strike out sophomore Ryan Larsen to end the inning.

With the score tied at 2-2, the Ravens were up with runners on second and third, with two outs. Dylan Gross stepped up to the plate and swatted one that was chopping toward shortstop. Panther third baseman, Matt Brough charged the ball with hopes of cutting it off but it took a huge hop and went over his head but just at the feet of shortstop Jack Flaherty. Mejia scored the third run and a wild pitch to senior Chris Chism brought in Valdes, making it 4-2. 

Fernandez came out in the seventh throwing gobs of red-hot lava. His pitch count for the night was just under 100 but he threw the seventh inning stronger than he threw the first inning. Fernandez went on to halt Adam DeRusha in four pitches.

The dugout charged the mound and the game was over.

The Ravens move on to the state semifinals next weekend.