- May 6, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
In another nail-biter in the Little League All-Stars playoffs, Palm Coast’s majors team eked out a 5-4 win in walkoff fashion over DeLand on Thursday night thanks to some gutsy calls by coach Kyle Berryhill.
Palm Coast jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Charlie Alfano walked, advanced to third on two passed balls, and then scored on an overthrow from the DeLand catcher back to the pitcher after Cameron Becker walked.
DeLand answered in the bottom of the second inning with two runs to take a 2-1 lead and then added another run in the third inning to go ahead 3-1 and knock Palm Coast starting pitcher Zach Evans out of the game.
Jason Guilbe came on in relief of Evans in the third and was able to wiggle out of a jam when runners were on first and third with no outs.
Palm Coast tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. Evans and Alfano hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Brock Underberg hit into a fielder’s choice, which left the runners at the corners with one out.
Becker drove in Evans with a sacrifice fly. Underberg advanced to second on a wild pitch and later scored when Cameron Quintana struck out but beat the errant throw to first base.
DeLand regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth and needed just three outs to seal the win.
But with one out, Palm Coast’s Danny Rodriguez drew a one-out walk. Chris Howard was brought in as a special runner, and he advanced to third base on two wild pitches. Standing at third base as the tying run with two outs, Howard stole home on a delayed steal to tie the game at 4-4.
“Our dugout went nuts,” Berryhill said Friday morning, less than 12 hours after his team won a frantic elimination game.
Palm Coast was able to get three outs in the bottom of the sixth to send the game to extra innings.
In the top of the seventh inning, Becker reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a single by Quintana.
Then, Berryhill did the unthinkable — again.
Becker stole home on another delayed steal, putting Palm Coast up for good.
Guilbe earned the win with five innings of relief, allowing one earned run on two hits to go with three walks and nine strikeouts.
“Both teams made about 10 SportsCenter-quality plays and refused to quit,” Berryhill said. “This game was the epitome of why baseball is so much fun, and I couldn't be more proud to be associated with this group of families."
Palm Coast advanced to the next round and will play DeBary 7 p.m. Friday, in DeLand.
Go to www.PalmCoastObserver.com for results.
Majors eliminated after mercy-rule loss to DeBary
In a win-or-go-home Game 3, the Palm Coast Senior All-Stars needed just one win to advance and avoid tournament elimination, but DeBary plated six runs in the first inning Thursday and never looked back, knocking off Palm Coast, 10-0.
DeBary added another three runs in the third inning off Palm Coast starting pitcher Danny Curley.
Palm Coast’s defense committed five errors in the game, including a costly error in the outfield that led to three of the six first-inning runs.
Eddie King came on in relief and allowed two runs on two hits in three innings.
Palm Coast’s bats were silent the entire game, combining for just three hits.
“They didn't show up,” coach Dave Febus said after the game. “They were coming off of Wednesday’s win and just didn't come prepared to play.”
The loss ends All-Star competition for the Palm Coast Seniors team.
— Gavin Ewbank contributed to this report.
