Totarsky breaks out of slump in win
Second of her two RBIs lifts Cowboys to extra-inning victory
PALM BEACH GARDENS — For her 17th birthday, Sydney Totarsky gave her team a gift.
The junior, who entered Tuesday’s game hitting below .200, drove in two runs — including the game-winner — as Cooper City beat Palm Beach Gardens 6-3 on the road Tuesday night.
“Honestly, for me, I was really struggling all the way to this game,” Totarsky said. “I had a few hits here and there, but I was struggling. So for this to happen, especially on this day, it feels good — especially against one of the best teams around.”
Both Cooper City and Palm Beach Gardens entered the game with 14 wins this season, and they proved to be evenly matched.
The Cowboys struck first, scoring a first-inning run on a double by Kirsten Caravaca. But the Gators came back and tied the game in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single by junior Genesis Duran.
Gardens took the lead on a solo home run by junior Aaliyah Crews, but Cooper City tied the game when Caravaca drove in her second run with a single.
The Gators couldn’t put the Cowboys away.
They scored their third run when senior Brooke Barnard tripled and the throw from right field sailed to the fence. Cooper City tied the game again in the sixth inning when Totarsky hit an RBI single to right field.
“Todays, things just kind of fell into place for her,” Cowboys coach Phil Schmalz said.
Cooper City pitcher Jordyn Hustey set Gardens down in order in the seventh inning, sending the game to extra innings. In the eighth, Arlette Caravaca reached on an error, and Totarsky drove her in with a double. Cooper City added two more runs on a double by Bianca Polistina, and Hustey closed the door in the eighth to pick up a complete-game victory.
“I think some of these kids are believing now that they have what it takes to get the job done and for us to compete at a high level,” Schmalz said.