- December 27, 2024
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Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs pitcher Tanner Araujo led his team to 7-0 victory over the Seabreeze Sandcrabs Friday, April 9.
Prior to game time, FPC head coach Anthony Campanella hugged many of the Seabreeze players and talked with their parents. He had coached the Sandcrabs for 29 years, and the current senior lineup was part of his last team at the high school.
“I live in Ormond, so I am still connected with everybody,” Campanella said. “I don’t care where they go to school; I like to see these kids grow up and develop. It’s not just about being a coach, it’s about being a mentor. I love these kids.”
Araujo pitched for seven innings and faced 27 Seabreeze batters which resulted in 11 strikeouts and five hits. The Bulldogs surrounded the hurler with a strong defense. FPC shortstop Brayden Stuart and second baseman Andrew Machado kept first baseman Tate Underberg busy, converting seven groundouts. Underberg also led the Bulldogs with two runs and one RBI. In the outfield, right fielder Byron Nunez thwarted the ’Crabs’ efforts to get on base, including a catch in foul territory in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“My pitcher, Tanner, came in and did an unbelievable job and threw strikes,” Campanella said. “We played good defense. We put everything else aside. That’s the big thing that I tell our guys: Do your job and do what you know how to do, and then the game will dictate how it happens.”
FPC has been going through growing pains after losing 13 seniors last season. The majority of the players were on the junior varsity team when COVID hit, so they did not get a chance to play. Campanella realizes that his players need to learn how to play baseball with one another and experience actual game situations in order to cope with the pressures.
“I have to say this was my favorite game: coming home and playing at the old home field," Campanella said. "I’ve been there so long. I will always bleed red and white for those guys.”