Benjamin earns first trip to state
Bucs’ Lanoce, Judge combine to shut out American Heritage.
PALM BEACH GARDENS — Paul Lanoce’s pitches were electric, as was the air around him.
The Benjamin pitcher allowed only three hits over five innings as his outing was cut short by a lightning delay. That didn’t stop the Buccaneers from shutting out American Heritage 3-0 on Tuesday and advancing to the state semifinals for the first time in program history.
“It’s funny; I kind of saw this day right in the beginning of the season,” first-year coach Jack Armstrong said. “Even though it started off a little bit tough, we had all the talent, we had the pitching depth. It was just a matter of bringing it all together, playing as a team and (getting) the right mojo going.”
Meanwhile, Palm Beach Central and Jupiter will have to wait
the game going in the right direction. Didn’t expect him to go five shutout, but that’s one of those things where you just kind of roll with it.”
Lanoce got three early runs behind him, with star center fielder Isaiah Thomas scoring on a sacrifice fly to shallow right field in the first inning, Matt Lopes scored on a wild pitch in the second inning and Aaron Steinhart drove in Kris Armstrong in the third.
After the lightning delay forced Lanoce out of the game, junior Tyler Judge came on to relieve him. The 6-foot right-hander tossed two scoreless innings to get the save, and the Buccaneers dog-piled in the infield.
“We were ready to go,” Jack Armstrong said, “and we’re locked and loaded, fully loaded for states.”
‘We were ready to go, and we’re locked and loaded, fully loaded for states.’ Jack Armstrong
Benjamin coach