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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/19/2022

Bullsharks Weather Long Lightning Delay

Riley Sheppard     
Photo: Giancarlo Rodriguez (Perfect Game)
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- When a coach does not have any control in a moment such as a lightning delay, all they can hope to do is make sure their guys are ready whenever it ends.

“Our job as coaches is to make sure they’re calm and ready to go,” owner of the South Florida Bullsharks, Edwin Bonilla, said postgame. “Because at any moment you can get that phone call. ‘Hey, let's get ready to go.'”



The quarterfinal matchup between the South Florida Bullshark Navy and SWFL Upperclass at the City of Palms Championship was underway before lightning in the area put the game on hold in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Bullsharks leading 6-2.

To avoid the winner potentially having to play three games on Sunday, the intentions were to finish the final three innings that night, but due to the severity of the lightning, the conclusion was pushed back to 8:00 am Sunday.

When the game got back underway Saturday morning, the runs came in bunches.

SWFL notched four runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie things up at 6-6, but that would be the last time things were even.

The Bullsharks' first six batters all reached base in the top of the fifth, which contributed to their six-run outpour to end the tie and extend their lead to 12-6.

Included in this bombardment was a two-run single up the middle from outfielder Giancarlo Rodriguez to drive in Derrick Randle and Alejandro Izquierdo.

Rodriguez and Justin Miranda made their way home during Jonathan Granados' at-bat two batters later following a fielder's choice.

Those two runs for the cleanup man Granados upped his RBI total to three for the game, tied for the team-lead alongside catcher Brian Almieda.

Right-handed pitcher Jose Fonseca got the call in the top of the seventh with a comfortable 12-6 lead. While one run did come across following a Sevyn Williams triple, it was not enough.

Fonseca struck out two over his time on the mound, with both coming from his curveball and closed things out for the 12-7 victory.