- November 25, 2024
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In a pitcher's duel on a cold Friday night between Flagler Palm Coast and the Sandalwood in a District 1-8A showdown, the starting pitchers for both teams (FPC freshman Nik Bitner and Sandalwood junior Sean Reid-Foley) went the distance, combining for 25 strikeouts, three hits and just one run over seven innings.
In the end, Sandalwood (6-3) was able to plate the lone run, edging out FPC, 1-0.
The strikeouts came early and often for both pitchers, as the first five FPC hitters all went down on strikes.
All nine outs made by the Sandalwood pitcher in the first three innings came via the strikeout.
It wasn’t until the top of the fifth inning when the action started to heat up.
Bitner hit the lead-off batter and then a sacrifice bunt moved him over to second. The next hitter singled up the middle but the runner on second was held up at third. With runners at the corners and one out, Sandalwood capitalized.
The following Saints hitter put a deep fly ball to left-center field, but Lorenza Williams made a running catch for the second out. The runner on third tagged up for the game’s only run.
FPC (3-2) wouldn’t go down without a fight, though.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the intensity remained. After the leadoff hitter grounded out, Charles Tuccio walked. Next batter Joseph Bernhard was hit by the pitch, putting the winning run on first base with just one out.
After a passed ball, both runners moved up 90 feet, bringing the tying and winning runs into scoring position. Deylon Bitner struck out swinging for the second out of the inning. Then after fighting off several pitches, Josh Breeding struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
Reid-Foley completed the no-hitter, compiling 16 strikeouts.
Nik Bitner finished the complete game with 96 pitches, nine strikeouts, three hits and one earned run.
“That was a great performance,” FPC coach Jordan Butler said of his freshman pitcher. “I look forward to the next three years with him.”
Despite not getting a hit, Butler added: “I’m not upset. We were on a lot of pitches, we tried to do too much. He’s a power guy, and had a great performance.”
Overall, Butler said he was happy with the way his team played.
“We didn’t give them anything — they earned their run,” he said. “I’m proud of our guys. Great performance, (but) we got beat. If we continue to play well, things will fall our way.”
