Allen beats Warriors
WINTER GARDEN – The sequel was just as intense as the original.
Logan Allen struck out 14 and held host West Orange to two hits Tuesday to help Orange City University come away with a 2-0 win in a Class 9A region final.
University (24-6), ranked No. 2 in the Sentinel Super Six, scored twice in the sixth after loading the bases on consecutive singles against the area No. 1 Warriors (26-4).
The Titans move on to Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Friday, June 2 to face Region 4 champion Miami Palmetto (23-6) in a state semifinal. Palmetto won 3-1 over Coral Gables on Tuesday afternoon.
“Every inning we were battling, contending and getting guys on base, and we knew at some point we were going to break through,” Allen said.
The regional final rematch was played in front a capacity crowd in Winter Garden. West Orange won last year’s game 3-0 at Conrad Park in DeLand, handing Allen the only postseason loss of his career.
Allen improves to 12-1 in district, region and state semifinal games over three seasons. He also went 2-for-4 at the plate to help put a halt to West Orange’s 20-game win streak.
“We knew it was going to be wire-to-wire until the last inning like last year,” West Orange coach Jesse Marlo said. “Ultimately, everything we heard about [Allen] is what we saw today. You’ve just got to tip your hat to him. Our kids prepared for him the right way, but he was just better than us tonight.”
UCF signee Chris Seise logged the only hits of the night for the Warriors, going 2-for-2 with a triple in the sixth inning.
Cole Beavin struck out six and gave up eight hits over 5.1 innings in the loss. Doug Nikhazy took over and held the Titans hitless while striking out four.
Jesus Ruiz connected for a hit down the left field line to score Nathan Peden for the first run of the game.
“Coach is always on us about doing something with runners in scoring position,” Ruiz said. “I just put that slash on it. It’s a man’s dream to do something like that in a close game.”
“I feel we’re wellrounded,” University coach Frank Martello said. “We can put a bunt down and we have some guys that can swing it. But when they’re not swinging it, we’ve got to figure out another way.”