Pitchers leading the way for Seabreeze's baseball team

If you give up a hit in the second inning, you're probably not thinking about losing a no-hitter. Unless you don't give up a hit the rest of the way.

That's what happened to Seabreeze's Evan Miller. The senior tossed a one-hitter in a 2-0 win against Spruce Creek on March 3. The only hit of the game came in the second inning when Miller had to cover first base on Peyson Garcia's grounder between the first and second basemen as both fielders went for the ball.

Miller had to jump up to make the catch from the second baseman and landed on the bag the same time as Garcia.

"You know the old saying," Seabreeze coach Jeff Lemon said. "The tie goes to the runner.

Miller also lost a no-hitter last year. The sidearmer was one out away in a game against Matanzas when Brady Novack slapped a single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

This time, Miller would have had a perfect game if not for Garcia's infield hit. The right-hander struck out four and did not allow a walk in seven innings. Miller followed that gem with another complete game against DeLand on March 9. He gave up one run on five hits and 0 walks in a 3-1 victory.

He's been following the process and getting stronger. "His (velocity) has increased, and his slider and changeup have definitely improved. He has a really good work ethic and routine and it's been paying dividends. — JEFF LEMON, Seabreeze baseball coach on pitcher Ethan Miller.

"He's been following the process and getting stronger," Lemon said of Miller, who will play for Polk State College next year. "His (velocity) has increased, and his slider and changeup have definitely improved. He has a really good work ethic and routine and it's been paying dividends."

Miller is not the only Seabreeze pitcher with an earned run average under 1.00. Dylan Cavanaugh has allowed one run in 8.2 innings.

"We're playing pretty good baseball right now, and our pitching has been leading us," said Lemon, whose team has won five of its last six games to improve to 6-3.

The Sandcrabs have been missing senior starter Ethan Gilbert, who's been out with an ankle injury since Christmas. Sophomore Micah Sanders has filled in. Sanders pitched five solid innings at Flagler Palm Coast on March 8, allowing one run.

Seabreeze wound up winning the game 8-7 in eight innings, two days after losing 8-3 to the Bulldogs at home. FPC lit up the Sandcrabs' bullpen with six runs in the top of the seventh in the first game. 

FPC rallied again at home, scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score at 5-5. Seabreeze scored three runs in the top of the eighth then gave up two runs in the bottom of the inning and got the final out with the bases loaded.

"Things could have fallen off the rails really quickly if we didn't win that game," Lemon said.

But when the pitching has faltered, Zachary Banks and Rustin Hurley have ignited rallies at the plate. Banks is batting .500 with 12 runs scored, a double and two triples. Hurley is batting .478 with six doubles and nine runs batted in.

"Between them we've had three or four quality at-bats ever single night," Lemon said.

BEST OPTION

Freshman Neyreda Campos' first start at quarterback was a success. Campos helped lead Flagler Palm Coast to a 25-12 flag football victory over University of Orange City on March 8.

Campos scored two touchdowns, including a pick-6 on defense. But she demonstrated an ability to run the option, which can make all the difference in flag football, said FPC assistant coach Jim Gambone.

"She ran the best option since I've been here," said Gambone, who started FPC's flag football program in 2004. "The option only works if you use all the options. She was reading the defenses. She has a good understanding of football."

Dyllis MBallesube had two interceptions and an 18-yard touchdown catch from FPC's other quarterback, Heidi Michaels. Camilla Gonzalez also had an interception against the Titans.

The Bulldogs followed the University win with a 26-0 shutout against Matanzas the following night to even their record at 2-2.

FPC is rebuilding with just one senior on the roster.

"We have new plays, new people and new positions," Gonzalez said.

LILAVOIS WINS TWICE

Flagler Palm Coast's Nick Lilavois was a double winner at the Five Star Conference boys weightlifting championships on March 8.

Lilavois won both the 129-pound Olympic and traditional competitions with a 375-pound total and 415-pound total, respectively. He had a 205-pound clean and jerk and a 210-pound bench press.

FPC's only other winner was Nick Groth, who won the 183-pound Olympic competition with a 510-pound total. Groth had a 290-pound clean and jerk.

Kobe Murphy finished second in both competitions in the unlimited class. He benched 345 pounds and completed a 290-pound clean and jerk for a 635 traditional total.

The Bulldogs finished second in the Olympic competition with 39 points and third in the traditional competition with 28 points. Spruce Creek won both conference titles with 57 points in Olympic and 60 points in traditional.

Other place winners for FPC were: Richard Beltrami (second in 139 Olympic and third in traditional); Groth (third in 183 traditional); Ernie Perez (third in 199 Olympic and fourth in traditional); Charley Perry (third in 238 Olympic and fourth in traditional); Kevin Gall (third in unlimited Olympic); Luke Laura (fifth in 154 Olympic); and Jose Ortiz (sixth in 169 Olympic). Seabreeze's Exra Williams placed with in the 183-pound Olympic competition.

CO-MVP HONORS FOR HILL

FPC junior Rodney Hill earned co-linebacker MVP honors on March 5 at the Under Armor Next Camp Series event at West Orange. The four-star recruit has 16 college offers, including five from power-five conferences.

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