ORANGE PARK -Our Game of the Week took us to Orange Park yesterday for a pair of top ranked baseball teams, No. 3 Ponte Vedra visiting No. 5 Ridgeview in a crucial District 4-6A series.
Both teams entered the two game series a top the standings along with Clay in a tight three team race. The winner of the series has the inside track to perhaps claiming the top seed in the district.
Ridgeview jumped on Ponte Vedra early with three runs and never looked back in a shocking 11-1 win at the Jungle to take control of the district.
With one out in the bottom of the first, Maury Gonzalez singled to right and scored on Brandon Dumas RBI double down the right field line to give the host Panthers a 1-0 lead. Austin Kittle sent a pitch deep over the left center field fence scoring Dumas for a 3-0 lead just four batters into the game.
While starter Tony Roche struggled on the mound for the Sharks, Evan Wickeri was effective and proficient striking out four while allowing just two hits.
Ridgeview added to its lead in the second as Anthony Roman walked and pinch runner Alex Sierra stole second and scored all the way from second on a throwing error by catcher Marson McLeod that ended up in center field on the stolen base attempt.
With two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the third, the Panthers nearly threatened again, but Rowe got out of the jam with his third strikeout of the inning.
That seemed to fire up Ponte Vedra as Jack Young led off the top of the fourth with a walk and Cody Nelson followed with a walk putting runners on first and second with no outs. Sebastian Rothman followed with a RBI single to right to score Young from second cutting the lead to 4-1.
However, Wickeri got out of the jam thanks to solid defense as Wickeri enduced fly balls which centerfielder Carlos Gonzalez and right fielder Tyler Turner tracked down and Wickeri struck out John Brown to get out of the inning with just one run.
Carlos Gonzalez led off the fourth with a single to right center, Wickeri followed with a double to right and Dumas was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out chasing Roche out of the game.
Autin Kittle greeted new pitcher Dillon Gaines with a texas leaguer over third base allowing Gonzalez to score and all runners to move up a base.
With two outs, Richie Long walked scoring Wickeri while keeping the bases loaded. Anthony Roman followed with a walk scoring Dumas for a 7-1 lead.
Wickeri was out of the fifth inning quickly on five pitches as he enticed two fly balls on two pitches and got a ground out to second on three pitches.
Ridgeview cruised into the fifth inning with a 7-1 lead just two innings away from perhaps the biggest win of the season. Nobody could have expected what was going to transpire in the bottom of the inning.
With one out, Wickeri led off the inning with a walk, Maury Gonzalez followed with a walk and Dumas was intentionally walked to load the bases chasing Haines out the game and reliever Porter Jordheim into the game.
Kittle followed with a walk scoring Wickeri for a 8-1 lead and keeping the bases loaded with one outs. Anthony Messineo was intentionally walked scoring Gonzalez for a 9-1 lead.
Long followed with the only hit of the inning a RBI single to left scoring Dumas for a 10-1 lead putting the winning run at third with still one out.
Roman stepped into the box and patiently drew the seventh walk of the inning allowing Kittle to score the game winning run and shocking 11-1 win.
I spoke to Ridgeview head coach John Sgromolo and Ponte Vedra head coach Tom Stanton about the game, the crazy district and today’s important game.
The beautiful thing about baseball is even on a off day there is always tomorrow. As the two will meet again as Ridgeview (12-3, 5-0) travels to Ponte Vedra (11-5, 4-1) today at 6:30 p.m. for game two of the series.
District 4-6A
Ridgeview (5-0)
Clay (3-0)
Ponte Vedra (4-1)
Menendez (2-5)
Orange Park (0-8)
Last night
Ridgeview 11, Ponte Vedra 1
Clay 13, Menendez 0
Today
Ridgeview at Ponte Vedra, 6:30
Menendez at Clay
