Original Florida Pokers. {Courtesy}
By: Matt Rothman
In their final summer tournament, the Original Florida Pokers captured their fourth straight Championship in the Prospect Select Palm Beach Open on Tuesday.
The Pokers finished the summer with a record of 32-1-1 and outscored their opponents 35-0 in their last five games.
“Just a great summer as we won two big tournaments and another, but to go the whole summer and lose just one game and finish 32-1-1 is pretty special,” Head Coach Todd Fitz-Gerald said. “It’s a bunch of local high school kids who grind and love to play the game. More importantly, the brotherhood that has been created is truly special. I couldn’t be happier for the program and the entire coaching staff.”
The Pokers started the tournament with a 7-0 win over the NJ Marlins, with Rylan Lujo homering. Bennett Gary drove in two, while E.J. Burns and Andrew Raucci had RBIs. Breylynn Courtney earned the win with six shutout innings before Christian Miliken got the final three outs.
In their second game against TKR Reds National, Dane Rossi, James Smith, and Jayden Dubanewicz combined for the one-hit shutout. Lujo, Niko Benestad, Burns, and Askin knocked in the runs before beating the NJ Marlins again 10-0. The Pokers scored a run in the first and nine in the third to win by mercy rule. Gary, Benestad, Anthony Quigley, Gavin Gargiulo, Alejandro Sardinas, and Askin recorded RBIs, with Miranda and Milliken shining on the mound.
Quigley recorded a pair of RBIs in their fourth game against IBAHS National, while Burns, Perry, and Askin had one. Raucci also picked up his second win before winning 5-0 against Canes New England in their last game. Burns had two hits and knocked in a run, with Brayden McCluskey pitching four shutout innings and Rossi shutting the door.
Send your news to Parkland’s #1 Award-Winning News Source, Parkland Talk. Don’t miss reading Tamarac Talk, Coral Springs Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, and Margate Talk.
Author Profile
- Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student. He also works for the Mohave Valley Daily News in Bullhead City, Arizona covering high school sports.
Related
NewsApril 27, 2024Marjory Stoneman Douglas Senior Spotlight: Baseball, Softball & Piccolo Award
NewsApril 27, 2024MSD Regional Update: Tennis Wins, Lacrosse Impresses and Flag Football Completes Historic Season
NewsApril 20, 2024Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas Slugger Hunter Fitz-Gerald Launches 1st Homer With New Team
NewsApril 19, 2024Marjory Stoneman Douglas Tennis Teams Win District Championship
