Reports of Pace's demise exaggerated

I stand guilty as charged for thinking Pace would struggle this season in baseball.

Granted, there's no denying the team has had a drop-off in power hitting after losing great hitters like Adrian Cardenas and Chris Marrero, but that doesn't mean they can't compete with top-flight teams.

They have a stud lefty in Chris Hernandez. He was hitting the low 90s last night in front of a bunch of scouts last night. I counted at least 7 radar guns behind the plate, checking out Pace's dominant ace. Add lefty Anthony Gallego to the picture and the Spartans, if healthy, have a solid 1-2 pitching punch for the postseason.

Their lineup can also make good contact starting with the top of the lineup with outfielder Ozney Guillen - son of Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie - and with leading hitter third baseman Miguel Sanchez. First baseman Rene Mateo, who went 2 for 3, is a great contact hitter.

Pace's toughest obstacles in the regional playoffs are Cardinal Gibbons and Merritt Island. But the Spartans have quality wins like American Heritage, Flanagan and close losses to Palm Beach Gardens and Sarasota.

Pace is still good enough to make a run to reach Sarasota again if they can win one of these big games at home.

But repeating looks difficult with still undefeated Orlando Bishop Moore, which is ranked 18th nationally right now by Baseball America, in the way.

Comments

[V]

Gallego is right handed

[PaceFanMike]

That's all you can ask for after losing all that talent from last year. They're competing, and they have a shot.

[daniel]

they have the chance to set a statement and have a young team with heart... they want to win really bad and have the chance too

[Anonymous]

I guess you cant really judge a cover by its book or at least "a team by its reputation". Pace walked in the game against Mater Academy thinking they had the game in the bag. I wouldnt blame them, considering the fact that they were the Number 1. team in South Florida.

But as you can see from the results of that game, Pace came up short, disappointing and shocking all of thier fans. Like the old saying goes " La pelota es redonda y viene en caja cuadrada."