A five-run rally in the bottom of the sixth gave Westminster Christian School Warriors a 6-4 comeback over the Conquerors of Jacksonville’s Trinity Christian Academy Tuesday afternoon in the Florida Class 3A state semifinal in Fort Myers. The Warriors turned a 4-1 deficit into a win and denied the Conquerors their first title game appearance since 2015.
After a leadoff single and two walks loaded the bases to start the rally, Westminster senior shortstop William Alvarez lined a single to left to drive in two. On the play, Williams advanced to second on the throw in, and as the defense cut the throw and fired to second, junior Eric Eikenberg scampered home with the game-tying run.
The Warriors took the lead moments later after an error and a double brought in Alvarez, and Westminster (25-4) got an insurance run on a bases-loaded walk to Jose Lopez.
The Conquerors (24-7) got the tying run to the plate with one out in the top of the seventh, but junior Austin Wiegandt (W: 1-0, 1.12 ERA) induced a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. Wiegandt worked 1.1 scoreless 1-hit innings in relief.
Trinity sophomore Brady Harris started the scoring with a first-inning solo home run (5). The Conquerors added a run in the second when sophomore Tyler Ellis tripled home Gage Petrutz.
Westminster pulled to within a run with a fourth-inning RBI single from James Suarez.
Trinity then made the score 4-1 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Petrutz singled home Merrick Beamish, and Petrutz eventually scored when Chandler Dantzler walked with the bases loaded.
Sophomore Ethan Wheeler started and worked 4.2 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits; he walked 1 and struck out 6. Junior Aaron Watson (L: 2-1, 2.44) took the loss. Westminster’s Lozaro Collera allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits while walking 3 and fanning 11 in 5.2 innings in a starting role.
The Conquerors end the season at 24-7, including a 16-game winning streak from Games 2 through 17. They reached a Top 10 national MaxPreps ranking near the end of that streak and entered Tuesday’s semifinal at #19 in the nation.
Trinity’s remarkable season saw them achieve a #1 ranking in the state. They were led by Sophomore Jordan Martinez who hit 7 home runs and 28 RBIs on the season. Assisting him was Aiden Arnett who drove in 26 RBIs on 35 hits. Brady Harris 5 home runs. On the mound Brayden Harris a team high 37 hits, recorded 89 strike outs. Ethan Wheeler recorded 72 strike outs. Both pitchers are just sophomores.
Although Trinity came up short they returned several key players looking to make another run for state. However, seniors like Maddox Lee and Alijah Haynes, will not be able to be with the team as they pursue opportunities at the next level. They should be commended for their leadership, in helping guide their squad to Ft. Myers.
NOTE: Westminster Christian will play North Broward Prep on Wednesday for the Class 3A championship.
