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The Florida pitcher brings in Sam Lovitz and the Crusader defense sends Newman to the semifinals

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WEST PALM BEACH — For fans looking for all the thrills and chills that come with win-or-go-home baseball, Cardinal Newman’s Jack Kokinda Field is the place to be.

Six days after winning a district championship decided in overtime, the Crusaders bounced back Wednesday to open 3A state playoffs against Umatilla. Fortunately for the visiting Bulldogs, Newman (22-5-1) handed out their 1-0 loss in regulation, leaving no reason to delay the return trip to Orlando.

“It’s playoff baseball. It’s exciting when it counts…the drama, the tension,” Newman manager Joe Russo said after the win. “We’ve been through games like that this year. Maybe too many, but we’re a bit weathered, so they expect it, they’ve experienced that.”

“And it’s clear that Sammy had the lights out.”

This week, Newman pitcher Sam Lovitz left nothing to chance.

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Lovitz leaves nothing to chance

Eight innings and 11 strikeouts to regain district bragging rights last Thursday left the Florida game well-conditioned for Umatilla (19-9). Against the Bulldogs, he struckout 10 and didn’t give up a hit until the fifth inning. It seemed like only the drive to survive on the road to State allowed Umatilla to score its second and final goal in the sixth.

“He’s the story tonight,” Russo said. “He’s just incredible and we’re very proud of him. He’s got his chance this year and he’s making the most of it. He’s smooth, calm and he just has ice in his veins, you know?”

Newman assistant coach and former MLB pitcher Zach Miner called Wednesday “a microcosm” of what Lovitz has brought to the table all year.

“He has been a horse and has played against some of the toughest opponents over the last few months,” Miner said. “He’s sitting at 92 or 93 with his fastball. Great curveball, great changeup. But really, it’s his poise. It’s his command. There’s a reason why he’s having the success he’s having and he’s going to be pitching for a long time.”

With Crusader bats producing just five hits — two from junior Alex Thompson — and the game’s only run, scored by senior Grant Hugus, on a passed ball in the third inning, Newman knew winning would be up to his defense.

“I started really well. I felt really good. All my pitches were there,” Lovitz said. “Halfway through, I didn’t feel like I was at my best, but I give credit to my shortstop Finn Duran, third baseman Alex Thompson and first baseman Blake Anderson for making a lot of plays to keep the game in our hands. “

Duran’s double play keeps it a one-run nail-biter

On offensive days off, Duran said he and the Crusaders are just trying to keep their heads up.

“You know, hopefully when we get back on the field, this guy right here, Sam Lovitz, throws the ball down their throat. Then we can come in and they don’t have any more runs and that keeps us going,” Duran continued. his teammate a pat on the back.

In the fourth inning, Umatilla saw its chance to tie things up after senior Trey Craft drew one of Lovitz’s four walks on the day, but was stopped by a critical double play thanks to a diving catch by Duran.

‘He’s a dog for us. Your shortstop is your guy,” Russo said. “It was a bullet right at him. He saw him jump one time and picked up his glove, fell back, turned it to the second, and James (Elliott) was able to turn him. That’s what you need.”

Duran’s effort marked just one of many highlights worthy of Newman’s outfielders.

“Gabe (Acevedo) made a great play in left field early in the game with a sliding catch. Alex made some nice plays at second. We had a bunt defense, got the lead runner at second late in the game , and of course, Blake was favored initially, so a lot of good defense,” Russo said.

Denying the dark horse Saint John Paul II

Now we’re headed to the region semifinals, and judging by the chatter in the crowd on Wednesday, this wasn’t the opponent many expected.

Instead of a third showdown with rival Benjamin, Saint John Paul II will travel to Crusader territory Saturday after pitchers Connor Cavo and Jack Wilhoit held the Bucs to just one hit in a 14-0 quarterfinal shutout.

“We knew Benjamin wasn’t a high-ranked team either, but they fought super hard and we have to be ready for that every game,” Duran said. “We knew this team (Umatilla) would be good; they have footballers in this team. Footballers play hard, so we had to fight very hard to get the win.”

Newman isn’t looking at SJPII’s 12-14-1 record. Just on the road to the regional championship, and if all goes according to plan, back to the state championship.

While Lovitz rests, the Crusaders are ready to rely on fellow righty junior Max Gonzalez this weekend. Meanwhile, the Eagles still have the arms of senior Alberto Medina, junior Florida State commit Emmanuel Lantigua and freshman standout Scotty Crowe available.

“Max, he loves the moments. He’s a hard thrower, he’s got a lot of adrenaline and he’s got the stuff,” Lovitz said.

“He’s our No. 2, you could say, but he throws like a No. 1, so it’s his turn,” Russo said. “We have Blake and Alex available, so we’re in a good spot. I think if he (Gonzalez) throws strikes, it gives us a chance to win.”

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached at [email protected].

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