Sharks Shine on the Diamond

Peyton Blythe Sports Editor

e Spanish River Boys Baseball team is taking over Boca. With a record of 9-3, the boys have de ed the odds and have improved by a landslide thanks to the addition of Coach Patrick Abbondandolo and the outstanding e ort of the whole team. e team is now up to seventh place of all baseball teams in Palm Beach County.

behind almost all game to come back in the 6th to seal the deal and win 5-4. A er not beating Boca High in four years, this win boosted the whole team morale and proved to many how talented the roster is for the 2023 season.

e Sharks also scored a huge win over rival, Olympic Heights, in extra innings where senior Jonathan Guardascione hit a walk-o single securing the game for the Sharks. Guardascione says that he goes by e girls team has done extremely well, with a record of 9-2 so far this season. e girls have picked up right where they le o from last year and have continued their winning record into this year. Unfortunately they lost last year in the regional semi nals, but this year they are going for gold. Sophomore Giselle Portanova, the main pitcher for the Sharks, has helped secure wins for the sharks on multiple occasions. With her partner Emma Iovene as catcher, the duo form the backbone that holds the team together. Playing together for two years now, the chemistry these two have is an incredible sight. this team as well, as she has hit a home run in almost every single game she has played in! Despite being injured for a couple games, she has bounced back in great fashion.

So far this year, the Spanish River Girls So ball team is ranked sixth in the Palm Beach County rankings, and is expected to only improve over the remaining course of the season.

Santos said, “Getting to play for our so ball team is something i’ll forever be grateful for. I get to surround myself with the best girls amd coaches for 3 months straight.” “I cannot wait to see how far we make it this year!” e girls team has a bunch of talent this year and they have had their share of comebacks this season, including a 9-8 win over Seminole Ridge, one of the best teams in the county this year. e comeback started late in the 7th inning when they were down 2 runs, where Emma Iovene hit a double to secure 2 runs. e rst year varsity coach, Coach Abbondandolo says, “My favorite thing about the boys is their ght, they never give up. e boys are truly amazing and awe-inspiring”. One of the biggest accomplishments for the team thus far is beating their cross town rivals, Boca High. On March 8th, the Sharks came from one quote, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” He also said “ e team is amazing, and we work together and are like brothers in a family. Beating Olympic Heights in the Shark Pit felt so good.” e team has a long road ahead of them but, once the playo s begin, the Sharks have a real chance of winning it all. Hopefully they will bring back a title to Shark Country by the end of the season.

Last year the team’s season ended too soon with a loss to Santaluces in the District Quarter nal. On March 14th, the teams faced o again, and this time the Sharks pulled away with the victory, showing true perseverance from the squad. Better yet, with the Sharks only being halfway through the season, they already have a higher record than last year, and it’s only looking up from here.

“ is year the team is full of talent, and I think we can make it far in the playo s this year,” says Junior Joseph Santone.

Two of the seniors on the team, Jonothan Guardascione and Marco Fernandes will be continuing their academic and athletic careers while playing baseball in college. ey are hoping to win a title for the Sharks before they graduate this spring.

Junior Emma Iovene says,“ e team goes through everything together, whether it’s a win or a loss. e team is always there for each other and I cannot wait to see what happens at the end of the season.”

One standout this season is Isabella Santos, the third baseman who is committed to play college so ball at Auburn University at Montgomery. Santos has been a key player for

Junior Taigen Callahan also hit a sacri ce pop y to secure the W for the Sharks.

With that, the team is ranked one of the best in the county and continues to prove their worth throughout regular season play. At the end of the season, the girls are looking to secure a District Championship this year!