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Cardinal Mooney Defeats Benjamin In 9 Innings To Advance To The 4A Regional Finals

April 29, 2016

By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

The Cardinal Mooney Cougars were able to travel down to Palm Beach and upset the Benjamin Buccaneers 2-1 in an exciting 9 inning contest. 2017 RHP/1B Alex Rodman and 2016 RHP/3B Josh Bonynge led the way for the Cougars on the mound as they were able to silence the Buccaneer offense nearly the entire game.

Even though this entire game could have been viewed as a pitcher’s duel, offense was virtually nonexistent from both sides until the fourth inning, when 2019 SS/3B TJ McKenzie (Vanderbilt commit) led off with a double that was lost in the sun by the Cougars’ right fielder. Two batters later, 2018 C/1B Zach Mazur drove a double to deep left-center that easily scored McKenzie, giving Benjamin a 1-0 lead. Because 2016 SS/RHP Matt Ellmyer (Wofford commit) had been cruising on the mound for the Buccaneers, this one run seemed like it could have been enough for them to earn the victory.

After a scoreless fifth inning, the momentum quickly swung from Benjamin to Cardinal Mooney as an error and hit by pitch gave the Cougars runners on second and third with one out in the top of the sixth. The Buccaneers then made a pitching change and brought in 2018 RHP Kristofer Armstrong (Florida commit) to try and stop the bleeding. He was able to provide quality damage control, but not before 2016 SS Taylor Garris (Samford commit) laced a single up the middle to tie the game at one apiece.

The game remained tied until the ninth inning when 2017 3B/RHP Even Berman led off the inning with a single, was bunted into scoring position, and then scored on a throw that dribbled just far enough away from the Benjamin first baseman after 2016 OF Terence Hebda roped a hard one-hopper to shortstop that was bobbled and thrown a little too low and just up the line.

This one run was enough for Cardinal Mooney as they were able to hold Benjamin in the bottom half of frame and seal the win. The Cougars now advance to their 4A Regional Final game where they will face Bishop Verot.

Top statistical performers

Cardinal Mooney                                                   Benjamin
Alex Rodman: 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 Ks                            Matt Ellmyer: 5 IP, 1 run, 7 Ks; 4-4, BB
Josh Bonynge: 3 IP, 0 runs, 3 Ks                         Zach Mazur: 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI
Taylor Garris: 2-3, BB, RBI