Serra rallies to give coach milestone victory

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

Serra Catholic baseball coach Brian Dzurenda will always remember career win No. 350. It was a tough victory over a tough team, and a game in which the Eagles found themselves trailing late.

Serra (10-0) scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Saturday to top visiting Avonworth, 4-2, at Boston Field in a non-section game.

Max Rocco started things off with a one-out single to left and moved to second on Matt Bisceglia’s single.

When Nico Eremic flied out to left for the second out of the inning, Rocco and Bisceglia both tagged up to advance into scoring position.

Zack Miklos delivered the big blow for Serra Catholic, roping a two-run single to center to make it 3-2 and put the Eagles in front.

Isaiah Petty came in to run for Miklos and stole second after a couple of pick-off attempts. After Eli Kite walked, Ethan Coddington reached on an infield single to load the bases.

Jack Hustwit relieved Kamden Otstot and issued a walk to Jordan Mastalerz to plate the Eagles’ fourth run.

Otstot took the loss for the Antelopes (6-4), throwing 2 2/3 innings and allowing all four runs on seven hits.  

Rocco got the win, tossing the final two innings and allowing only a lone hit. He struck out a pair.

Dzurenda gave all the credit to his players for reaching the milestone win.

“It’s not something you set out to do,” Dzurenda said. “I guess it’s a testament to my longevity and being able to coach. This is my second decade working with Serra kids and I look at that and it’s amazing that happened.

“I just feel like I’ve been the right guy in the right place. The Serra family has been great to me; 350 doesn’t happen without the right kids, families and the right athletic director.”

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