- April 19, 2024
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FPC closing pitcher Trevor Meaney winds up to throw against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Cameron Becker connects on a pitch against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC celebrates after a double play. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's D'Emiliano Whiters hive-fives a teammate after scoring a run. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' starting pitcher, Aeden Celestino, throws a pitch against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs swarm closing pitcher Trevor Meaney after FPC's win over Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
Trevor Meaney hadn’t pitched in a game since the eighth grade. But after relief pitcher Troy Seetaram gave up a 2 RBI triple that cut the Bulldogs’ once-large lead to two runs in the sixth inning, Bulldogs coach Jordan Butler put his senior shortstop on the mound.
“I told him to settle down and throw strikes,” Butler said. “He came in and slammed the door.”
Although he gave up one run, Meaney was able to retire the next four batters. He saved his best “stuff” for last.
On a 1-2 count, Meaney threw a curveball to Spruce Creek’s Camden Traficante.
Traficante struck out swinging.
Flagler Palm Coast survived to beat the Hawks 7-6 on the night of Thursday, March 1, at Spruce Creek High School. The Bulldogs, led by starting pitcher Aeden Celestino and consistent hitting early in the game, held a 7-1 lead entering the sixth frame.
“I’ve been around Johnny Goodrich and the Spruce Creek baseball program long enough to know that they’re not going to quit,” Butler said. “It was far from over.”
Butler wasn’t nervous, however, when the Hawks barreled up seven balls in the inning, including two-straight deep shots that went over the right field wall. FPC hadn’t been in a close game all year.
“I was getting excited because I wanted to see how our guys were going to handle the pressure,” he said. “They could have folded. They could have given up when Creek started to make a comeback.”
Enter Meaney.
Meaney transferred to FPC before the start of his junior year. He told Butler he never wanted to pitch. But, before the start of the 2018 season, the Bulldogs lost one of their backup pitchers to transfer.
Butler said he had no doubts when he sent Meaney to the mound on Thursday night.
“Anybody that puts the team that high up, they’re going to get the job done,” he said.
