Lake Mary wins in 5 innings
Lake Mary’s hit a goahead three-run home run and the Rams beat Spruce Creek 3-2 in a Class 9A baseball region semifinal that was postponed for two days before ending after just five innings on Thursday.
Umpires called an end to the game, which started at 11 a.m., with Spruce Creek batting and a runner at first base with one out in the top of the sixth when rain fell hard on a field already soaked from five days of downpours. Lake Mary tarped the infield when play stopped but its clay was puddled.
“Nobody wanted it to end like that, but at this point all the fields are saturated,” Lake Mary coach said. “It was unplayable. That water wasn’t going anywhere.”
Florida High School Athletic Association rules state that a baseball game called due to weather is considered complete as long as the team that is behind has batted in the fifth.
The Rams (23-4) struggled to touch Spruce Creek (18-9) pitcher and FSU signee before rallying in the bottom of the fourth inning.
doubled down the rightfield line to open the inning. singled and moved to second on a throw home to set the table for Duran’s blast to left-centerfield that just did clear the fence and elude the glove of Hawks outfielder
“They’re centerfielder gave a hellacious effort,” Perez said. “I wasn’t sure at first whether he came back with the ball or it was out (of the park).”
Lake Mary will be home again for the Region 1 final, scheduled for Tuesday night, against the winner of a Dr. Phillips at Boone game that was postponed for the third consecutive day on Thursday.
Four region games involving area schools were postponed for the third straight day on Thursday.
Boone hopes to host Dr. Phillips in a 9A region semifinal today at 4 p.m. The contingency plan is to play Saturday at 10 a.m. should rain or lightning cause any further delays.
Tickets already purchased for the game at Boone will be good for the makeup.
Timber Creek is now scheduled to play at Osceola tonight at 7 in Kissimmee.
A Class 2A region final at Mount Dora Christian Academy was postponed to Saturday. The Bulldogs are now set to host Fort Pierce St. Andrew’s Episcopal at 10 a.m.