University School Continues Surprising Start With 4-3 Win

When your program has a proven top tier coach, like USchool does in Manager Dan Rovetto, it is not often that people consider your program in rebuild mode.

After losing 14 seniors from last years 23-6 squad, however, had the Sharks squarely in rebuild mode in the eyes of many.

But the beauty of baseball is, the games are played on the field, and what outsiders think a team should be, is rarely the reality.

That appears to be the case for these Sharks, who defeated JC Bermudez 4-3 on Thursday night, to run their early season record to 4-2, while serving notice that they could be a team to contend with come playoff time.

“We have a very young club, that is learning how to play,” said Rovetto. “It is really starting to come together a bit. With only three returners that have ever played for us consistently, we didn’t know what to expect. But these young guys are growing up quickly.”

One of those three returners was on the mound Thursday, in Matthew Greenberg. The senior threw 45 innings for the Sharks last year, going 6-2, with a 2.33 ERA.

In this one, Greenberg was mostly dominant, throwing five innings, allowing three hits and one run, while striking out four.

“Another stellar performance from Matthew,” said Rovetto. “He was extremely efficient, giving up only that one run in 66 pitches. He was down in the zone all day. It is what we have come to expect from him when he takes the mound.”

Greenberg received early support from his offense in this one. Peyton Mackie got the Sharks on the board with an RBI single in the first. A Mason Huffman base hit made it 2-0.

In the second, Ernie Eguardo extended the lead to 3-0, driving in Evan Zalkind with a single to right.

From there, the Sharks turned to their bread and butter, which according to Rovetto, is their pitching and defense.

“The goal is always to get the ball to our closer, Mark Manuel, as it has been the past few years,” said Rovetto. “We were able to do that tonight, and he did what he usually does for us, and closed the game out.”

Manuel threw the final two innings, and did make things interesting, giving up two runs, but he was able to shut the door, securing the 4-3 win.

On the day, the Sharks had six different players with hits, including two from Mike Drucker.

With wins over a 6-1 Coral Springs team, and a 6-2 Marathon team, along with tough losses to 7-1 Coral Glades and 5-0 Key West, USchool is very much a work in progress, but Rovetto sees that progress being made from game to game.

“The keys for us is always strong fundamentals, and pitching and defense,” said Rovetto. “The team is cominmg around. It is going to take some time, but we are taking some positive strides. With each game we play, these young guys are getting experience, so there is still a lot of growth that can happen as the season moves on.”

The Sharks next test will come on Tuesday, as the team travels to take on Chaminade-Madonna, and one of Rovetto’s mentors from his early coaching days, HSBN South Florida Hall of Fame Manager Jerry Albert.

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