- April 19, 2024
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The 2-0 win advanced Father Lopez to the regional semifinals, and a game against rival P.K. Yonge.
BY MATT MENCARINI | SPORTS EDITOR
Father Lopez needed just one run to beat St. Johns Country Day in the first round of regionals Monday, but they scored two just in case. It's nice to have some breathing room.
The Green Wave's two runs came in the bottom of the third May 6, at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex, and starting pitcher Sam Shields took care of the rest.
Shields pitched a complete game, striking out 10 batters while allowing only three batters to reach base (two singles back up the middle and a two-out walk in the sixth).
Father Lopez coach Trevor Berryhill could have gone with starter Ian Farrell who, despite missing most of the season with an injury, gave up just one run in a complete game win in the district title game against Master’s Academy, but he said it was a “no-brainer” to start Shields, instead.
“Sam has been our guy all year,” Berryhill said. “And to win this tournament, you have to have more than one pitcher. Sam did a tremendous job for us through the season while Ian was out. They’re 1A (and) 1B (starters).”
Entering Monday’s game, Shields had a 2.48 ERA through 48 innings pitched, with 46 strikeouts and four wins. He struck out two batters in the first, second, third and sixth innings,
Shields allowed only one runner to advance to second base, when St. Johns center fielder Drew Petty stole second while Thomas Brooke struck out swinging.
“He’s not going to walk people,” Berryhill said. “He’s a groundball pitcher. He’s got a little sink and run on his fastball. I’m confident with Sam out there against anybody.”
Freshman third baseman Joe Skinner hit a leadoff double in the third inning, his second leadoff double of the game. Then, with Tommy Roache on first, Zach Hawk hit a sacrifice fly and advanced Skinner to third.
When the ball got away from the third baseman, Skinner scored and Roache advanced to third. Brandon Leohner’s triple scored Roache and gave the Green Wave more than enough offense to win.
Farrell will get the start against P.K. Yonge, a game likely to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex (after our editorial deadline). It will be the first time P.K. Yonge has faced the big right hander this season, although Berryhill said they scouted him in the Master’s game.
“It’s a big rivalry,” Berryhill said of P.K. Yonge. “(It’s) the Green Wave and the Blue Wave. They had our number in girls basketball there for a number of years, and we had a dog fight with them this year."
The Father Lopez girls basketball team beat P.K. Yonge 62-60 Feb. 12, on way to a state championship.
“They beat us in the (baseball) playoffs last year," Berryhill added, "so if you can’t get riled up for this game, there’s something wrong with you.”
