It seems that Senior Night brings out the best out in those players who are playing in their final home game of the regular season.
Jaxson Rivera, Bryan Santiago, Martin Calhoun and Reilly Perez were joined by their families and were honored before the game. They played key roles in the Bulldogs 10-0 win over Hudson Tuesday night in a game shortened by the 10-run rule.
You could say some of them had a senior moment.
Rivera, the Bulldogs’ leadoff hitter, set the tone for the game when he sent the second pitch of the game over the left-centerfield fence to put the Bulldogs up 1-0. He ultimately went 3-for-3 on the night with a single, double and the home. He was at bat with a chance to hit for the cycle, but was walked. He scored three runs for the Bulldogs.
“I was swinging for it,” Rivera said. “Go big or go home. I was trying to push the ball to the right field in that last at bat for a triple for the cycle, but I took the walk.”
Santiago was the man for six innings picking up the win on the mound tossing a six-hit shutout with seven strikeouts and no walks. He went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI.
“I think it’s pretty cool to get a win like this on senior night,” said Santiago. “We hope this isn’t the last game we play on this field. We win the district and we’re right back here playing.”
Calhoun’s moment came from his solid play behind the plate. Not only did he hand Santiago’s pitching, he was deadly against base runners trying to steal with two put outs. He also registered an RBI with a sacrifice fly.
“This has been such a great year where everything is coming together,” Calhoun said. “This is a great season and we don’t want it to end.”
Perez, who was a fan favorite of the ZHS girls’ softball players in attendance, served as the designated hitter and was in the bullpen ready to relieve Santiago if needed.
The Bulldogs played spoiler to Mulberry’s Senior Night Monday handing the Panthers a 17-0 defeat. Zephyrhills put up 17 runs on eight hits and Mark Santiago, the younger brother if Bryan pitched a four-inning shutout.
“This offense is coming at the right time as we head into districts,” said Perez. “This is good timing for us.”