History repeats as West Broward eliminates Columbus for second straight season

The approach West Broward took during the regular season has prepared them for the new best-of-three regional playoffs format.

Coach Howard Stein preached to his club to simply, “win the week.”

Since most of the time, West Broward played three games in a week, taking at least two of three was the goal.

That has actually proven to be the case in the regional playoffs as well.

On Saturday, West Broward not only “won the week,” the Bobcats claimed the series with a 14-4 mercy-rule victory over Columbus in the Region 4-7A semifinals.

The Bobcats’ path to the regional finals wasn’t an easy one, since they lost Game 1, 4-3, at Columbus. But on the road in Game 2, they recovered and took a 3-0 victory, keeping their hopes alive.

Under the new format, the first two games of the regionals are being hosted by the higher seeded team. If a third game is necessary, the lower-seed gets home field advantage.

In the regional, Columbus is seeded second, and West Broward is third.

“We’ve talked all year about just winning the week,” Stein said. “That’s been our mantra all year. Win the week. We lost the first week of the season, and we haven’t lost a week since.”

West Broward (21-12) eliminated Columbus (27-7) for the second straight season in the regional semifinals.

The task ahead doesn’t get any easier, with top-seed Stoneman Douglas next on the slate beginning on Wednesday at Douglas.

“These guys are gamers,” Stein said. “They’re true gamers. Once the game starts, no matter how we practiced. How we take IO [infield/outfield drills pregame], they play. They’re not scared, and no moment is too big for them.”

West Broward was clearly focused on Saturday for the 10 a.m. winner-take-all showdown with Columbus.

The Explorers started off quickly, pushing across two runs in the first inning off Adrian Bermudez.

With two-outs, Aquiles Arzeno and Max Alvarez delivered RBI singles.

West Broward responded with three runs in the first inning.

Explorers starter Mike Say recorded one out, and was charged with three runs (two earned). Columbus repeatedly went to the bullpen, using seven pitchers.

In the first inning, the Bobcats scored three runs.

Columbus pushed across two more runs in the second, ending Bermudez’s day on the mound. Bermudez worked 1 2/3 innings, being charged with four runs.

Again, West Broward came back, and led 7-4, after two innings, which took nearly 90 minutes to complete.

“Our kids really competed,” Stein said. “We got down. But there was never panic. We really played with grit. We work hard, and no matter what the score is, these guys fight to the last out.”

West Broward scored at least one run in every inning, and Figueroa, who came in with two outs in the second inning, didn’t allow another run.

The Bobcats’ offense racked up 15 hits, including three doubles and a two-run homer from Ethan Lindor.

Lindor belted a two-run homer for West Board. Lindor also had a double, as did Manuel Sarcos and Anthony Sanchez.

“We really grinded every at-bat, and we got pitchers out of there,” Stein said. “We just keep grinding, and grinding and grinding.

“Once Angel came in. He really calmed everything down, and it was a ball game again. And then, we just kept tacking on, tacking on, tacking on. We had good approaches. Put the bat on the ball and put a lot of pressure on them.”

West Broward ended it with two outs in the sixth inning on Bermudez’s RBI single.

Columbus wasn’t able to manufacture much off Figueroa.

Rene Ramirez had a terrific day at the plate for the Explorers, collecting three hits, including a double, and he scored a run. Mario Magana went 1-for-4, and scored a run. Jose Correa had a run batted in, and scored a run.

In both of West Broward’s regional series wins, the Bobcats lost their first game, but went on to win the next two games. In the quarterfinals, they rallied from a game down to beat Southwest.

Now, the challenge to get past Stoneman Douglas is ahead. These rivals met twice in the regular season, with Douglas winning both times.

A year ago, Douglas defeated West Broward in the single-elimination regional finals.

Now, these two 7A powers meet again with a trip to the state finals in Fort Myers is on the line.

“That’s where we want to be,” Stein said. “To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. We’re excited about it.”