Unbeaten Pitcher Stops Esperanza

As defending champions of the National Classic Tournament, Esperanza knew its first-round game would come against a quality opponent.

But it also came against a quality pitcher, Bobby Bradley of Wellington (Fla.).

The junior right-hander muffled the Aztecs on three hits, posting a 1-0 victory at Amerige Park.

Armed with a powerful fastball and a darting curve, Bradley (7-0) struck out 13, walked none, got three excellent fielding plays from second baseman Scott Grossi--including a diving stop and throw on Josh Shaffer’s grounder to end the game--and polished off Esperanza in 1 hour 40 minutes.

“He’s been outstanding all season,” Wellington Coach Scott Benedict said. “Last Tuesday he faced the No. 2 team in our state, John Carroll, and struck out 15.”

Bradley said: “I felt real good warming up,” and added he used information he got on Esperanza from the Internet as his scouting report. “I was hoping for more than one run, but Esperanza also played well.”

Aztec senior left-hander Nick Puoci (5-1) was nearly as sharp, giving up only two hits in seven innings.

Wellington scored in the fifth when leadoff hitter Tim Hegarty walked and went to second on a sacrifice. Billy Bielen then hit a 0-1 pitch off Puoci’s foot and into center field for an run-scoring single.

“Some games are not about winning and losing, they’re about playing hard and having character,” Esperanza Coach Mike Curran said. “Tonight we showed a lot of character. The kids fought all seven innings, and never gave an inch. But their pitcher never gave us a chance to get him.”