Five hours and sixteen minutes after the first pitch was thrown, Coral Springs Christian did the unthinkable, dogpiling on the CCA mound as District 14 2A Champions with a 5-3, 10-inning victory. For the second straight year, CCA was unable to leverage the top seed in the district and will be on the road to start regional play.
Amazingly, CCA was still in the game in the tenth. CSCA had more hits and more opportunities but the Eagles dodged a lot of bullets while trying to dodge the onslaught of rain all afternoon. The longest of two rain delays took place more than three hours into the game after CCA had battled to get to extra innings. Down 3-0 since the fifth, CCA got one in the sixth for it's first spark of the afternoon. They tied it in the seventh and appeared to have momentum on their side. The eighth was scoreless and the Eagles got the Crusaders to go 1-2-3 in the ninth. And then the skies opened.
When the game resumed around 3:45, CCA sent their 2-3-4 hitters to the plate but could generate nothing against Kevin Knapp who returned to the mound after the rain delay. The Eagles sent Ryan Lowrey to hold the Crusaders but this would not be his day. A couple of hits, walks and a hit batter produced two runs which the Eagles could not match in their half of the tenth.
As bad as the feeling was late Saturday, the fact remains that the season has come down to exactly where Coach Mucerino wanted it when it began; a three game tournament to get to the state championship game. No matter if they are district champs or runners up, CCA still has to win four games to be state champs. As does everyone else who is still playing on Tuesday. It is FINALLY, win or go home. Let the games begin.
Calvary Christian Academy Baseball - 142 As One: United, Passionate, Accountable, Relentless
