Cardinal Newman dethrones Benjamin in extra-innings to reclaim district champion status

WEST PALM BEACH — Cardinal Newman High is going to have to make some space in the trophy case.

Crusader baseball joined Newman's march of district champions on Friday, but dethroning rival Benjamin didn't come easy.

Buccaneer freshman Brandon Owens came in clutch once again this week with an RBI single to get Benjamin on the board in the top of the seventh, tying Newman's one-run lead. Then, fans in the stands were treated to two extra innings of nail-biting action before the Crusaders walked it off, 2-1.

Once again, Newman's pitchers prevailed. It didn't matter if they were on the mound, at the plate, or behind it.

Florida commit Sam Lovitz leads way to championship

The dueling arms of Newman's Sam Lovitz, a Florida commit, and Benjamin's Cannon Baughman, a Tampa commit, put on quite the show on Thursday. Endurance was key as the two battled for eight innings, each nearing 100 pitches by the time relievers took over.

Walking away with 11 strikeouts, Lovitz gave up four hits, one earned run, and one walk. Baughman gave up four hits and walked three with four strikeouts.

"I really felt like my curveball and my changeup was the key for me tonight," Lovitz said. "I was able to throw the curveball for strike to start off some at-bats and it really put me in a good position. My changeup really helped me set up some lefty batters as well."

"I give a lot of credit to Coach [Zach] Miner, most of the time he's calling what I wanted to throw in the situation.

Lovitz knows Newman couldn't have gotten the job done without junior Alex Thompson, who emerged from the bullpen to be the night's winning pitcher.

"I was able to keep my composure because I trusted myself, our offense, and defense," Lovitz said.

Uncommitted Alex Thompson changes game for Crusaders

"The coaches told me that I was first in relief. The convo I had before I went in was to just do what I do and that's close games," Thompson said.

One inning. Three up. Three down. Three strikeouts. Thompson had made the impact to reclaim the title.

Not to forget the 2025 prospect's leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth to put him on base and score Newman's first run.

Put on second base thanks to a sac bunt by Carl Calixte, Thompson crossed home after Blake Anderson, another member of Newman's arsenal of arms, reached on a dropped third strike.

Thompson's efforts at third base were just as critical.

In the seventh inning, Tennessee commit Griffin Miller made the chase for home − and what could've been a 2-1 walk-off for the Bucs to remain district champs − only to be denied by Thompson's smart move, what Lovitz called "one of the best plays to keep the game going."

"I saw that the hitter was going to lay down a bunt and the guy on third was creeping, so when he showed bunt I charged the glove, flipped the ball to home," Thompson said. "I believe that big plays always change the momentum since the other team doesn't expect it."

And hopefully, big games like Thursday will put Thompson, a natural catcher, in front of more college coaches.

"I think I'm flying under the radar because of my size and height," he said, knowing outings like that against Benjamin show that "he can play when it really matters." Thompson stands at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, but it hasn't stopped programs like the University of Rhode Island, Bryant, Delaware, and Binghamton from showing interest.

"Not being projectable doesn't help, but it also motivates me more," Thompson said.

What's next for Newman?

Unlike last spring, Newman's trip to the postseason is guaranteed. Advancing? That's tricky.

Benjamin eliminated the Crusaders with an 8-3 defeat in quarterfinals last spring. Things look a little different this time around, though.

Then, Benjamin was the three-seed, hosting the six-seed Crusaders, who finished that year 14-12. Now, Newman is 21-5-1, ranked No. 25 in the state, and the Bucs are 15-10 after going 24-3 last season.

One thing that never changes in this private school showdown is the heated rivalry. Between Benjamin and Newman, the need for bragging rights will (almost) always be more important than who hoists the trophy, wins hosting duties, or fields the most college prospects.

"It's five more wins to win the whole thing and that's the only thing we're going for," Lovitz said.

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Newman dethrones Benjamin in extra-innings to reclaim district championship