01-03-2025
Douglas starting pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery leads Eagles to BCAA title
It's been 18 months since senior right-handed pitcher Chase Wildroudt had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Friday he was the starting pitcher for Stoneman Douglas against West Broward in the BCAA Tier 1 baseball championship game. With one start already this season, Wildroudt made his second start of the season since his injury on October 24, 2023.
He went 5 2/3 innings allowing five hits, while striking out four to lead the Eagles to a 3-0 victory over the Bobcats at Nova High. It was also the Eagles third title in the third year of the tournament.
The victory was the 12th consecutive over West Broward, while holding them to 23 consecutive scoreless innings. Douglas (7-1) has shut out the Bobcats six times during their winning streak.
'He's about 18 months from Tommy John surgery and this was his third outing getting better and better each week,' said Douglas coach Todd Fitz-Gerald. 'He did great tonight. He was outstanding managing his pitches. He got some big strikeouts when we needed it.'
Backed by a stellar defensive effort, the Eagles allowed one base runner to get into scoring position, while Wildroudt was on the mound. Four times West Broward baserunners were called out trying to steal and advanced on a baseball hit.
Junior Jake Rizzo had a pair of RBI, one in the bottom of the second inning and another two innings later. The third run came on a Bobcats (4-4) error in the bottom of the fourth inning.
'This feels great as I was struggling earlier in the season,' Rizzo said. 'I've turned it up a notch and I feel like I've been able to help the team a lot.'
West Broward will host Douglas next Friday at 4 p.m.
'It's baseball and right now we got it rolling pretty good,' Fitz-Gerald said. 'We got to go against them next Friday and it could be a different situation. Couldn't be happier on how our guys handled themselves tonight.'
With the victory the Eagles haven't suffered a second loss in the first eight games of a regular season since the 2019 season.
Senior left-hand pitcher Andrew Sarro was credited with the save.
▪ Teir 2 Championship result: Pembroke Pines Charter 3, Nova 2.
