Charles W. Flanagan High School Baseball

Senior lefthanded pitcher RJ Fondon was on the mound for the Falcons District opener at home against the Everglades Gators just like he was last season against South Broward. Tonights game had an erie feeling just like that game. This time RJ responded with a 1 hit shutout, striking out 10 Gators on the night as Flanagan(3-1,1-0) won 1-0 in the District opener for both teams. Unfortunately for the Flanagan batters he wasn't the only pitcher having a dominating night. Leo Suarez(0-1) of Everglades matched Fondon(1-1) allowing just 2 hits and striking out 8.  Yet the Falcons managed to squeek out a run in the 3rd inning when Pichi Torres singled to left, stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a ground out by Rolando Gomez. He would score the eventual winning run when freshman Ricky Santiago blooped a double to right field driving in the only run of the game. Everglades(1-3,0-1) had 2 scoring chances to tie or even take the lead. In the top of the 6th inning a walk to Luis Suarez and a throwing error resulted in a runner at 3rd base and 1 out.  Fondon would strike out Kevin Lopez attempting to squeeze home Suarez who would get tagged out at the plate to end the inning.  In the 7th the Gators would get 2 runners on at 2nd and 3rd base with 2 outs and RJ would make the defensive play he failed to make last season in the South Broward game. A slow roller down the 3rd base line by Tommy Padro was barehanded by Fondon, he turned and threw a perfect strike to Josh Gonzaga at 1st base for the final out.