Sagemont’s Stephens Throws Two-Hitter in Win Over Cowboys

Zachary Stephens fired a two-hit shutout and the top of the Sagemont lineup did the damage in a 7-0 win over Cooper City on Wednesday.

“It was a great team win,” said Sagemont manager Jason Stettner. “The boys are on a roll right now, finding their true identity as a team and playing good team baseball.”

Stephens struck out seven and walked four in his complete-game gem, throwing 63 strikes over his 103-pitch outing.

“Their lefty was mixing it up really well, throwing his breaking ball for strikes on the outside part of the plate and we weren’t willing to make adjustments,” said Cooper City manager Chad Rose. “My hat’s off to their guy on the mound.”

Stephens got run support from the top of the Lions’ lineup. The first five batters in the order combined for nine hits in 16 official trips to the plate. Joshua Agriesti led the way with three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs.

Lions’ lead-off hitter Chris Alfonsecca delivered a pair of hits, and the Sagemont center fielder scored a run. David Perez also contributed two hits, scored a run and drove in another. Dylan Rubenstein and Justin Torres each slapped doubles and drove in a run apiece.

Rubenstein also scored a pair of runs while Anthony Hernandez added a hit and Gio Molina drove in a run for the Lions, who improved to 9-6 for the season. Sagemont visits ABF Academy Hialeah at 7 p.m. Friday.

“They’re a tough opponent,” Stettner said. “The boys and looking forward to it and the second half of the season, playing for each other.”

Sagemont jumped on Cooper City for four runs in the first inning on Wednesday and never looked back.

“It was a tough night for the Cowboys,” Rose said. “We just didn’t make adjustments at the plate like I thought we should have.”

Cooper City starter Devin Heithaus shook off the first-inning to finish with six solid frames, recording six strikeouts.

“(Heithaus) got beat up a little early but he really settled in and gave us some solid innings on the mound,” Rose said.

Braeden Farris and Brandon Borrego had a hit apiece for the Cowboys, who fell to 5-7 for the season. They look to turn things around when they host Coral Springs Charter at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 12.

“So, I think going down the road, we make our adjustments earlier and stay confident within ourselves, I think we’re going to make a run at it late,” Rose said.

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