Dominant pitching puts Newberry one step closer to state semifinals
NEWBERRY — Sophomore pitcher Landon Gruenwald made sure Newberry High is one step closer Friday to getting to the state baseball semifinals in Fort Myers.
Gruenwald struck out 10, including the first five batters, to help Newberry eliminate Crescent City 7-1 in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs.
“Just fastball throwing away,” Gruenwald said about what was working for him. “I felt really great coming in, I had 10 strikeouts, and I don’t know how many strikes, but I felt like I did good.”
Panthers coach Mike Spina agreed.
“He’s a young guy, just a sophomore, we gave him the ball tonight to see what he could do on the bump and he battled there and threw well,” Spina said. “He threw well enough for us to win tonight and I’m proud of him, a young guy who is going to be a Panther for life.”
With Gruenwald cruising, the Panthers bats heated up in the second inning after a quick 1-2-3 first inning from Crescent City starter Hank Hamling.
Logan Carlisle led off the second with a walk and scored on Luke Ridley’s RBI single, while Gruenwald followed with a RBI single to short to score Ridley for a 2-0 lead.
After Josiah Haglund singled off the mound, freshman Jayden Holcombe delivered the big blow with a two-run double off the left field wall for a 4-0 lead. Justen Crews followed with a RBI double past diving right fielder Cameron Boyle to make it a 5-0 lead.
“Yeah this offense is scary, but tonight we didn’t show it, tonight we left a lot of guys in scoring position,” Spina said.
Hamling led off the fourth with a solo home run over the left field wall to temporarily cut the NHS lead to 5-1. Gruenwald got into a jam by giving up a hit and a walk, but his defense bailed him out.
Gruenwald threw out a runner at third on a sac bunt to the mound, second baseman Jonathan Moore and shortstop Makai Johnson teamed up on a fielder’s choice play at second base and Gruenwald struck out Kyle Grimes to end the inning.
The Panthers responded by adding two more runs in the fourth to put the game away. Pinch hitter Mason Tomchak singled, Crews singled and Caden Massey laid down a bunt to first that was misplayed by Dylan Hutchinson and allowed both Tomchak and Crews to score.
Gruenwald struck out the final two Crescent City (6-17) batters he faced before leaving the game in the top of the seventh due to the state-mandated pitching count.
“I told the guys we didn’t play our best tonight and come Tuesday we have to play our best to get to the final four,” Spina said. “Hopefully Tuesday we won’t leave guys in scoring position and we come ready to play.
Newberry (22-1) will host Williston (14-13) in the regional final Tuesday at 7 p.m. for the fourth time this season, this time with a berth at state on the line.
“We’re excited, they are kind of like a little rivalry now and we’re excited for them to come over here and us strap it on and get after it and let’s see what happens.”
Region 1-6A quarterfinal: At Pace, the host Patriots (16-12) used a four-run fifth inning to eliminate Buchholz 9-5. The Bobcats' season ends at 18-7-1.
Buchholz veteran infielder Brett Blair inflicted some damage, driving in three runs on a pair of doubles.
Region 1-2A quarterfinal: At Jacksonville, North Florida Christian ousted Oak Hall, 11-0, to improve to 21-6. Oak Hall ends at 11-7.
Region 3-1A semifinal: At Liberty County, top-ranked Union County rolled the home team 19-2 to improve to 21-4 and advance to Tuesday's region final at Hamilton County (17-8), which knocked out Blountstown 9-0.
Union County was paced by Whip Davis (4-5, including a 2-run home run), Jake O'Steen (4-5, 5 RBI, including a RBI triple) and Tripp Davis (2-3, 2 RBI, winning pitcher at 6-0).
Region 4-1A semifinal: At Fort Meade, Williston (14-13) advanced with a 14-13 win. The Red Devils will play at Newberry on Tuesday for the region final.
On Thursday
Class 4A quarterfinal: At Alachua, No. 3 Santa Fe was eliminated 6-4 by Panama City Beach Arnold 6-4. The Raiders end the season at 23-3.
The Marlins took advantage of some Raider mistakes in the first inning and scored five runs in the top of the first inning.
Region 1-3A: At Keystone Heights, the home team was eliminated by Jacksonville Episcopal 5-1. Keystone's season ends at 15-13.