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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/3/2023

Padres Prevail Against Mother Nature

Hannah Jo Groves     
The San Diego Padres Scout Team 15U took the 9-0 win over Southern Squeeze 2025 Orlando in five innings. 

Everyone at Cypress Lake High School was waiting for the three-siren wails that signified the "all-clear" after lightning in the area delayed the game's start by an hour. During the game's second mid-game delay due to the inclement weather, both teams agreed to call it. 



Squeeze's right-handed pitcher Bryce Francher started the game off strong getting both of his strikeouts in the first inning. Through the next three innings he pitched, his pitch count got up to 86 with his fastballs staying in the mid-70s range and his curveballs consistently in the mid-60s. 

Center fielder Luis Ayala showed his defensive strength by using his speed to cover the field and make excellent catches for four outs. 

However, nothing could stop the Padres' strong hitting from getting runs on the board. 

Right fielder Yodelkis Quevedo contributed two singles and two RBIs. Jonathan Matos also got two RBIs and a single. Jacob Lombard and Codey Gauff each added an RBI, with Lombard getting a single and a triple. 

On the mound for the Padres, right-handed pitcher Luca Candella and Joshua Cardoso each split with two innings apiece - with Candella getting the start. Candella threw 25 pitches with his fastball averaging in the high-70s and his curveball in the mid-60s.

Cardoso got two strikeouts in the last two innings - only getting his pitch count to 23. His fastball worked around the mid-70s range but got up to 81 mph. 

Head coach for the Padres, Cameron Maybin, attributed his team's success to their selflessness. 

"It's easy to get selfish in the game that we play, but we have a lot of guys who really are buying in to what we're trying to do and the platform that we're trying to give these guys right now," Maybin said.

Since the two teams and both teams' fans had already waited for a combined two hours due to lightning in the area, when the siren sounded for another 30-minute delay, the coaches on each side spoke and decided to end the game as it stood. 

The Padres won their game against the South Florida Copperhead Vipers 9-7 on Saturday morning in another game wrought with lightning delays.