Everglades Rides Hot 3-0 Start With Win Over Coral Glades

Every season, there seems to be a team that comes out of nowhere and becomes the surprise team of the year in Broward County. This season, that team very well may be the Everglades Gators.

The Gators have replenished their talent over the past couple of years, and had an impressive first week, with wins over Coral Springs Charter (2-1), and Nova (7-2).

It may have been Monday afternoons performance, however, that will get the baseball community talking about the Gators. Everglades broke open a 3-2 game against Coral Glades with eight runs in the fourth, and four more in the fifth, to complete an impressive 15-2 win over the Jaguars.

“It is a very promising start to our season,” said Gators Manager David Monge. “We pitched very well tonight, and we took advantage of some mistakes they made. It’s a 3-0 start, and I am excited about the way we are playing early in the season.”

The approaches on the mound Monday appeared to be much different between Monge and Coral Glades Manager Joe Franco. Monge sent Pedro Duran to the hill, and the junior delivered with four strong innings, allowing only four hits, and two earned runs. Monge then used Armando Morillo and Julio Amoedo for an inning each in the six-inning game.

Morillo struck out the side, while Amoedo struck out two, with neither giving up a hit.

For the Jags, Franco, used seven pitchers in the game. Starter Jason Lincoln went the first two innings, allowing one run. Kyle Fernandes, had perhaps the best performance of the night, following Lincoln with 1.2 innings, allowing no hits and striking out four.

From there, things became rocky for Coral Glades, as their relievers gave up 15 runs in the final 2.1 innings. Walks played a kep role in the outcome, with the patience of the Gators paying off. Everglades batters worked nine walks in those final 2.1 innings.

“Our guys were very patient at the plate,” said Monge. “We worked those nine walks, and that gave us an opportunity to have a big night offensively.”

Ryan Soto came up big for Everglades repeatedly throughout the game. Soto finished the day going 3-5, with two doubles and three RBIs. Matthew Urena and Diego Gonzalez added two RBIs each.

All nine starters in the Gators lineup had at least one hit in the 12 hit attack.

“If we continue to pitch like we did tonight, and swing the bats and take advantage of the opportunities we have, it has a chance to be a fun season,” said Monge.

After a down year last season, Everglades is looking to get back to the form they had in 2022, when they went 17-7 and advanced to the regional quarterfinals.

After starting the season 2-0, Coral Glades will look to rebound from a two game losing streak when they face Piper Tuesday afternoon.

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