Belen defeats Jensen Beach to advance to regional-finals
5/5/2007
 Region 4-4A semifinal -- Belen 13, Jensen Beach 12: He wasn't in attendance, but Dick Gossit was still a major factor in Belen Jesuit's inspiring 13-12 come back win against Jensen Beach in the Region 4-4A Semifinals.

Gossit, the grandfather of right fielder Eric Cos and one of the program's biggest supporters, was the inspiration behind his grandson's game winning walk-off home run that catapulted the Wolverines into their first regional final in four years.

''That one was for him, I've been thinking of him all day,'' Cos said of his grandfather, who has been hospitalized for several days.

Trailing 9-3, the Wolverines rallied to score eight runs, taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Belen's key at-bat came with two outs in the inning when Chris De Goti, facing an 0-2 count, fouled off seven straight pitches before singling to right and scoring Eric Cos for the tying run.

''He battled and battled,'' said Wolverine coach Tony Meilan. ``[De Goti's] not a home run hitter, but he's a good hitter, and he came through huge.''

The Wolverines added two more runs before the top of the seventh, when Falcon shortstop Joe Sclafani took the air out of the comeback -- and nearly the entire season -- with a two-run blast that traveled more than 425 feet before landing.

Belen will host Cardinal Gibbons on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

 

 

Jensen Beach 300 006 3 --12 11 2 Belen Jesuit 001 028 2 --13 16 2

WP: Mauricio Rodriguez (9-4). LP: Lou Schilling. Record: Belen 20-10.