By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
PARKLAND – The remarkable journey by the Stoneman Douglas High baseball team has reached heights never achieved.
Behind the strong pitching effort by Gio Rojas, the Eagles rolled to a 6-0 victory over West Broward in the first game of the best of three series in the Class 7A regional finals on Wednesday.
Rojas was masterful allowing only a second inning single, while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings and recording 13 consecutive batters. His strong performance earned the Eagles a state-record 25 consecutive playoff victories
Douglas (28-2) will have the opportunity to wrap up the series tonight at home.
“I had a lot of fun with these guys tonight,” said Rojas. “I came into this game ready to play. I was in my groove and the first batter really didn’t matter. The entire game, I felt dialed in as my change-up, slider and fastball were all working.
Winning this first game makes our opponent worry a little more. It helps us apply a little pressure.”
Rojas has been masterful in his three regional playoff outings to date, both on the mound and at the plate.
“Not only that he’s also swung the bat well, He’s been locked in for the last few weeks,” said Douglas coach Todd Fitz-Gerald. “That was one of the best performances I‘ve seen from him. With his command of his pitches, I couldn’t be any happier for him. Gio is a product of his work ethic.”
“The job is not done yet as West Broward is a resilient group. We can finish this series at home, he added.”
As the Eagles had done in the regional semifinal games against Taravella, they scored multiple runs in the first two inning games against West Broward (21-13).
Michael Ossenfort and Drew Freeman each had RBI singles in the first inning, driving in Rojas and Nick Diaz for a 2-0 lead.
Douglas added two more runs in the second inning when Lorenzo Laurel scored on an error, after reaching base with a double. Cade Raley scored on an RBI double by Bennett Gary for a 4-0 lead.
The Eagles added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with RBI singles from Mattew Toback and Gary.
“He’s a great high school pitcher,” West Broward coach Howard Stein said of Rojas. “You have a guy throwing in the mid 90’s and he throws breaking pitches any time he wants. I thought we were good today, our approach was good, and our bats were good. They did better than us today.”
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