Gateway Rides Four-Run Third To Top Winter Park

Gateway broke open a tight game with a four-run third inning en route to a 7-0 upset win over Winter Park on Wednesday in a 9A regional quarterfinal.

The Panthers (10-8) advance to a regional semifinal Tuesday at Haines City. They grabbed an early run in the first when Jose Montoyo stole home during Carlos Soto’s at-bat.

Gateway made it a five-run lead by plating four in the top of the third. Miguel Peralta singled to lead off the inning before Mark Perez and Emil Perez walked to load the bases. Montoyo reached on an error, allowing Peralta and Perez to come home. Eric Perales doubled to center, allowing Perez to score. Two strikeouts and a lineout ended the inning.

The Panthers added a run in the fifth. With two outs, Perales singled to center before Soto followed with a base hit of his own. An error allowed Perales to score.

Gateway added another run for good measure in the top of the sixth. Juan Ramirez walked to lead off the inning before Luis Cabrera singled. Peralta reached on a fielder’s choice, and then Mark Perez singled to left to score Ramirez.

Winter Park had its best chance to score in the bottom of the first. Jaison Heard singled, Freddy Torres walked and Nick Noel singled to load the bases with two outs, but a groundout ended the inning. Heard finished 2-for-3 to lead the Wildcats, who finished the season 21-6.

Perales was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run to lead the Panthers at the plate.

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