Game of the Week: West Broward vs. Western

The Western coaching staff has never seen their team more ready for a game than the Wildcats are for Saturday’s HSBN Game of the Week contest with District 8A-12 rival West Broward.

“Everybody is beyond excited,” Wildcats Pitching Coach Al Schwach said. “The respect this team has for West Broward is why the players are so pumped. They are a well-coached team. It’s just a tough district and we’re all battling in it.”

The Bobcats come into the match-up having won the past four in a row. But West Broward Manager Sergio Ambros knows his team is going to be up against a tough and hungry opponent come Saturday, one that his team cannot take for granted.

“I’ve seen it coming for the past two seasons really. Western has gotten much better and we cannot assume anything,” Ambros said. “Coach Barnes has done a good job at building their team chemistry. We know we’re in a dogfight in their house in front of their fans. But I know my team will be prepared, too.”

West Broward enters the week with a 2-1 record, with all three games coming on the road. The team has also gone 13-5 away from home since the start of last season, something that gives the team extra confidence heading into the hostile environment it expects at Western.

“We have a ‘me-against-the-world’ mentality on the road,” Ambros said. “The kids play for each other and they know if somebody struggles the next guy will pick them up. In an atmosphere that favors the home team we also do not have any distractions. Plus it is a night game so that gives us extra time to focus.”

Focus is something that the Wildcats are also concerned with leading up to the big Saturday showdown. Western will also host district foe Everglades on Friday night, and the team has made a point to ensure the players do not make the foolish mistake of overlooking the Gators in anticipation of the Game of the Week that follows.

“It is just as important for us to beat Everglades. Who are we to look past them?” Schwach said. “If we manage to win these two games, then the district is wide open again. We still have big district games at home, and we will be ready for them.”

After struggling out of the gate to a 1-3 start that includes two district losses, the Wildcats are hopeful this week can be the turning point that turns their season around. The team has begun to figure out its lineup and establish an identity after losing its top three pitchers at the start of the season. Recently the team took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against district favorite Flanagan, which has helped give the players confidence and motivation.

For West Broward, the chance to compete in a spotlight situation is exactly what the team desires, especially as it will be the third game the team plays this week.

“They get extra adrenalin and their focus seems to turn on a little more on the big stages,” Ambros said. “We’re still finding our identity and figuring out the right lineup. But we have 10 pitchers for times like this where we play three games in five days. We never play on Saturdays though, so the focus will be more important.”

Both programs relish the chance to play in HSBN’s feature game, which will be only the second Game of the Week event so far this season.

“HSBN has captured all the kids attention, and I have never seen them more pumped,” Schwach said. “When we told them we have the Game of the Week they were very pumped, and they are still that excited. I guarantee we will play hard and play at the top of our game.”

As part of the pregame festivities for the event, each team will select a representative to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

While the Wildcats are still working out the details for their plans, West Broward is proud to announce that its biggest fan, Danny Hernandez, will hold this honor. Hernandez is a student at West Broward who is a member of the ESE program for special needs students. He is also a part of Miracle League of Pembroke Pines, an organized youth baseball league for the physically and mentally disabled.

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