Ft. Myers Florida- It took every bit of 9 innings to decide the Class 5A State Championship Game, but in the end a suicide squeeze bunt in the bottom of the 9th won the game for the Bulldogs, 1-0 over Monsignor Pace (Miami). For Bolles, it’s another state title this year for their school,including Boys & Girls Swimming, Girl’s Track & Field, Girls Soccer, Girl’s Cross Country, and Boys Basketball. Few doubted that the Baseball team would keep the state championship party going. Even their famous alum former Atlanta Braves player Chipper Jones was confident in the outcome of the game for his former High School and Baseball team.
Congrats to my Bolles Bulldogs on their 5A state baseball championship last night. Never a doubt! Great job fellas. #GoDogs
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) May 20, 2016
Extras? ✅
Suicide Squeeze?✅#FHSAA 5A State Champions? ✅WATCH THE MOMENT @BollesSchool fans! pic.twitter.com/2h1XAAgBFh
— FHSAA (@FHSAA) May 20, 2016
The game itself was a picture perfect display of the style of baseball that is played in today’s High School game. Far different from the big bat style that the Chipper Jones era of high school baseball enjoyed.No in today’s game great pitching, great defense, and small ball rules, and Bolles is a master at it. Hamp Skinner got the start for Bolles on the mound and delivered with strike outs of the Pace batters. He would be in a pitchers battle with Pace’s Manny Rodriguez all game as both went the length of regulation. Skinner gained 9 strike outs on 112 pitches before being replaced in the 8th by Max Ferguson. Rodriguez finished with 7 strike outs on 123 pitches and allowed only four hits.
END OF THREE:@PaceSpartans 0@BollesSchool 0#FHSAA Class 5A State Championship Game. Watch now on @BHSN! pic.twitter.com/8eV7J3ZqQ9
— FHSAA (@FHSAA) May 20, 2016
From the 3rd inning to the 9th! Pitching has dominated this game! Bolles has a chance to win it again! https://t.co/f0QnjvV5Ci
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) May 20, 2016
Scoreless heading to the bottom of the seventh. @BollesSchool has a chance to walk-off. Live look at their dugout. pic.twitter.com/KQSmBiB9Ra
— FHSAA (@FHSAA) May 20, 2016
The game was filled with ups and downs throughout. In the third inning, Bolles left a runner in scoring position on a fly out and throw out to catch the base runner’s steal attempt. The very next inning, Bolles would return the favor getting a strike out by Skinner, then a laser throw out to catch the Pace runner’s attempted steal. This is the type of contest it was all night, few hits but big plays. Ironically Bolles had trouble bunting all night, but in the end it was Jonathan DeWane who executed the perfect play to seal his second championship this year (Basketball in February). DeWane had a chance to end it in the bottom of the 7th with a walk off, but was struck out by Rodriguez. DeWane would capitalized on his second chance and came through for the team.
VIDEO | @bollesschool walks off on suicide squeeze in extras to win the #FHSAA 5A State Championship! @SportsCenterhttps://t.co/cBNMDBMQKH
— FHSAA (@FHSAA) May 20, 2016
Bolles and Pace left several runners on base, but Pace was ultimately done in by four critical errors in the game. The passionate play by each team clearly showcased the player’s desires to give it their all. The Pace Spartans(27-5) certainly gave it their all through the season. After missing the playoffs the last two years, they not only returned to the post season, but took it all the way to the title game. They ran into a better team however, in the Bolles Bulldogs. Bolles proved they were the best team in our area all year long, beating Trinity (23-6 record), Creekside (25-6 record), and Providence(25-8 record) on the season. Each of those teams went deep into the playoffs. This team lived up to the championship pedigree that Bolles Baseball has bred over the years. This is the seventh state championship for the program, a truly impressive feat for the school. Congratulations goes to Coach Mike Boswell and the Bolles Bulldogs staff and players. Twenty Seven Wins, only three defeats, and a Class 5A State Championship Ring! (Well make that 2 rings for DeWane) A great way for the seniors and captains to go out!
🎧 Cause I got a really big team. And they need some really big rings. 🎧 – @BollesSchool (Probably) #FHSAA pic.twitter.com/fjBNXialGp
— FHSAA (@FHSAA) May 20, 2016
Go Dogs! https://t.co/CTHdHYkRg4
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) May 19, 2016
