FPC wins baseball bragging rights

After watching his team lose its first three games of the season by seven or more runs, Flagler Palm Coast baseball coach Anthony Campanella has seen some positive signs.

“We finally put two good games together. ... This is always a big game. It’s for bragging rights in Flagler County.”

ANTHONY CAMPANELLA, FPC baseball coach

The Bulldog fought hard in a 5-3 extra-inning loss to DeLand, and they notched their first win of the season, 5-2 against Matanzas on March 4 at the Pirates’ field.

“We finally put two good games together,” Campanella said. “The guys are playing a little harder. This is always a big game. It’s for bragging rights in Flagler County.”

Gavin Gotera got the win, allowing two runs in 4.1 innings. Matanzas scored both of its runs on Ben Apfelbach’s hard-hit single to second base in the fourth inning.

“We definitely had some deep conversations with each other (after the first three losses),” Gotera said.

Gotera scattered seven hits with one walk and a strikeout. He said he relied on his fastball and mixed in his slider.

“He competes,” Campanella said. “He’s always going to be around the plate for us. We have to play good defense when Gavin pitches.”

Andrew Machado threw 2.1 innings of no-hit relief, striking out five batters.

Neither team committed an error, but Matanzas pitchers gave up seven walks.

“We just gave up too many freebies,” Matanzas coach Jim Perry said.

The Bulldogs scored four runs in the second inning on three straight walks, a two-run single by Jace Pasquariello, a wild pitch and a run-scoring single by Cody Clymer.

“The bottom of the order really produced for us,” Campanella said. “We’re starting to play with a little more confidence, playing better baseball.”

Bailey Russell pitched well in relief for the Pirates, who fell to 3-2. The senior gave up two hits in 4.1 innings. Russell also went 3 for 3 at the plate.