J.P. Taravella baseball. {Courtesy}
By: Matt Rothman
The J.P. Taravella baseball team could not have gotten off to a better start this year.
Competing in the High School Baseball Network First Pitch Elite Tournament, the Trojans defeated the reigning State and National Champions Marjory Stoneman Douglas 4-3 before following that up with a 6-1 victory over West Boca Raton Community High School, starting the season 2-0.
“It was nice to get a win against a nationally ranked team,” said Head Coach Joe Giummule. “This is why kids come to Taravella to play this type of schedule. The boys were excited for the opportunity to play this game.”
The University of Miami commit Chris Scinta made the start. He allowed one run and stuck out seven before Ryan Meekins recorded four punchouts in 2.2 innings.
Brandon Metivier recorded the final four outs behind the terrific defense from his team. In the bottom of the seventh, with MSD rallying, the Trojans cut down the potential tying run at the plate on a perfect relay from Ronald Martinez to Vincent Samuel to Matt Rubin.
Rubin also had the big hit with a two-run double in the third inning. Vincent Samuel recorded an RBI with a bases-loaded walk, and Jassiel Valbuena scored on an error.
JPT then beat West Boca Raton Community High School 6-1 on Wednesday. Despite struggling on the mound, Jacob Smith hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the fourth. Edgar Marquez and Anthony Quigley recorded RBI doubles later in the inning before Rubin tacked on a run-scoring single.
JPT added one more run in the sixth while Devin Gritz and Quigley combined to throw four shutout innings to close it out. Next, they face Doral Academy in the final on Friday, February 25, at 7 p.m. at Broward College. The Firebirds are 2-0 after wins over Miami Christian and St. John Paul Academy II.
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