Conchs take care

of Keys Gate In 5

 

BY RALPH MORROW

MANAGING EDITOR

Next up: Gulliver Prep at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Miami.

Saturday night, behind the pitching of Brandon Presley and the slugging of Hugo Valdes, the Key West High School baseball team took at least a small step forward by crushing Keys Gate Charter, 10-0, in a “mercy” game that was called after five innings.

The Conchs are now 4-1 on the season plus two preseason victories, but Saturday’s win was a key victory because it was against a District 16-4A opponent and this season, teams will play but one district game against each other rather than home and away as has been the practice in the past.

That’s why Wednesday’s game will be so vital to the winner. It could, and probably will, determine seeding for the post-season tournament. Ransom Everglades and Coral Shores are the other teams in the five-school district.

Saturday, the Conchs of coach Ralph Henriquez Jr. took care of business, early, scoring three runs, largely on walks, in the first inning, added four in the fourth, on Valdes’ second home run of the season, a three-run shot into the bleachers in center field, and three more in the bottom of the fifth to end the game.

Meanwhile lefthanded Presley was outstanding, going the five-inning distance, holding the visiting Knights to but three hits and no walks, while striking out four as he threw but 50 pitches. Keys Gate is 0-4-1 on the season.

On Wednesday, Greg Veliz, the promising sophomore righthander, will get the pitching call at Gulliver.

The Conchs then return home for a Friday-Saturday set against Stoneman Douglas. Both games are at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

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