The two teams will meet Thursday in the district title game
Pine Ridge head baseball coach John New said his goal since taking over the baseball team has been to bring respect back to the program.
On Wednesday, New and the Panthers did just that.
Gabriel Ramos scattered eight hits and three runs over five innings, and added a pair of hits and three more RBIs at the plate as the Panthers upset No. 2 Father Lopez, 11-4, in a District 5-7A semifinal.
With the win, the Panthers not only earned a spot into Thursday’s district title game, but also clinched a postseason berth in the FHSAA state playoffs, which begin next week.
“We’ve been working hard as a program, and our big thing has been bringing respect back to Pine Ridge,” New said. “Whether it’s academically, athletically, Pine Ridge has always had a bad rap, and our mission has been to make sure people respect us.”
Trailing 2-1 in the third inning, Chris Ramos and Tyler Gregory each plated two with a pair of singles, and then the Panthers broke things open in the fifth when Gabriel Ramos cleared the bases with a double.
Mitch Nathan led the Green Wave with three hits, while Dominic Flacco added a pair of hits and an RBI.
Father Lopez finished the season 19-7.
New Smyrna Beach 6, Deltona 2
Shortly after the Panthers clinched a spot in the postseason, NSB did the same, defeating Deltona, 6-2, to advance to Thursday's title game.
The two teams will meet at 5 p.m. at Daytona State College to decide a district champion.
The Barracudas scored all six runs in the third inning, courtesy of three straight doubles by Adam Smith, Joe Becker and Logan Clayton. Bobby Minotti followed with a triple, and Nate Palmer capped the scoring with a two-run home run.
Dylan Delucia gave up two runs over four innings.
NSB and Pine Ridge split the season series this year, with the Panthers winning, 9-4, and NSB responding with a 10-0 shutout.