Western Bats Heat Up Against Everglades; Flanagan Next

Western players very easily could have overlooked Tuesday’s district game against Everglades. When the schedule came out this season, Wildcats players, coaches, and fans, all circled Friday’s game against district rival Flanagan, the team that ended Western’s season last year.

Instead of looking ahead, however, the Wildcats used their game against the Gators as a tune-up offensively, and if the Wildcats get half of the offensive output they received Tuesday, the defending state champion Falcons may be in for a battle at week’s end.

Western scored five runs in the first inning and then cruised to a 10-0 win over Everglades. Gators starter Jeffrey Spardy began the game well, getting Wildcats lead-off hitter Kyle Harrington to pop out. A hit batter, a walk, and three singles later, and Western had a 5-0 lead after one.

Hebert Quintana was the offensive star for the Wildcats on this night. Quintana, the clean-up hitter, went 3-for-3. Kyle Perry was equally as effective at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Overall, Western had nine hits, but it was their killer instinct that impressed coach Sonny Hansley.

“We did the things we had to do,” said Hansley, “Their pitcher was struggling early and we got some key hits, and kind of put the game away, which we had not done in a while, so it was kind of nice to see us score some runs.”

Western has a perfect 3-0 record heading into the Flanagan match up, but up until Tuesday it was the pitching that had carried the Wildcats. The offense had only scored seven runs in their first two games until the ten run outburst last night.

On the mound, it was Josh Fellerman, who threw little more than what would be considered a bullpen session. Fellerman went four innings, gave up no runs on two hits. The Wildcats starter struck out five while walking two. Despite the big lead early, Fellerman stayed on task at a time when other pitchers might have let up emotionally.

“I try to stay focused 100% of the time,” said Fellerman. “Whether we have a twenty run lead or a one run lead, I try to go out there and do as best I can.”

With the Everglades game behind them, Western can now look towards getting an early leg up on rival Flanagan in the district. The two teams have combined for seven wins and no losses, but Western knows to be considered the best, they will need to take down the defending state champs. Fellerman believes he may have the formula.

“We need to stay focused and keep hitting like we’re hitting, and I think everything will work out.”

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