- April 19, 2024
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Each day, millions of brave men and women put their lives on the line to serve and protect the United States. Those courageous soldiers were in the spotlight when Flagler Palm Coast hosted defending Class 8A state champion Spruce Creek on Friday as part of Military Appreciation night.
With both teams donning camo jerseys for the special occasion, Spruce Creek was able to fight back from an early 1-0 hole to defeat the Bulldogs, 8-4.
“We played good; they played good," FPC coach Jordan Butler said. "The end resuls was they beat us."
FPC took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Mike Ehman lined a double into the gap in left field, plating the runner from second base.
With runners at the corners for Spruce Creek in the third inning, the runner on first was caught in a run down, taking the attention away from the runner on third, allowing him to score to tie the game at 1-1.
Spruce Creek was able to take the lead in the fourth, scoring two more runs off FPC starting pitcher Brett Cain, taking a 3-1 lead.
The Hawks scored at least one run in each inning from the third through the seventh.
Cain strugged on the mound for the Bulldogs, getting pulled after allowing six runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Down 8-2 in the seventh, the Bulldogs didn't quit.
FPC (4-5) was able to get a couple of runners on base in the bottom of the final inning. A balk moved them both into scoring position for Ehman, who got another clutch hit, this time with a two-run single up the middle.
But that was all FPC was able to do in the final inning.
Ehman finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
“I’m proud of my kids," Butler said after the game. "They fought until the end. I don’t ever ask them to come back and win a baseball game, I just ask them not to quit.”
Since starting the season 3-1, the Bulldogs have hit a snag and are 1-4 over their last five games.
Butler said things aren't going to get easier. FPC continues its season with a spring break tournament this week and then districts in a few weeks.
