Tocoi Creek Continues Historic Season With 14th Straight Win

The Toros have proven up to every challenge this season, as the program continues to thrive in only its third season.

The Tocoi Creek Toros have arrived this season.

It was only a few years ago that baseball fans first heard of this team, after the school opened its doors at the start of the 2022 school year. But in that short time the Toros have grown quickly to emerge as a baseball force. Monday night they kept that momentum rolling by earning their 14th consecutive victory with a 6-1 decision over the Ponte Vedra Sharks.

“We are such a close-knit group. We are a family,” Tocoi Creek Manager Phil Wisser said. “This group is special. To be three years old and the team to be this tight to one another is amazing.”

Teams that are close like that off the field will reflect that on the field. The Toros (15-2) have earned their reputation for fundamentally clean and highly-competitive play. The majority of the teams they have faced have winning records and are recognized in the HSBN Power Rankings, and they have been in every game all season long.

Monday night was just another example. Tocoi Creek took control early on and played to their strengths from there. Ben Robinson, Chase Pate and Carsson Zepp worked three straight walks to start the second inning, and Nate Wade broke the scoreless game open with an RBI single to right. Ayden Ramos then also worked the count for an RBI walk and a 2-0 lead.

‘To be three years old and the team to be this tight to one another is amazing.’

The Toros were right back at it an inning later. Andy Lemaster led off with a base hit to left, Pate drew another free pass, and Zepp delivered an RBI single to right. Wade then executed a squeeze bunt that allowed Pate to come home.

The momentum continued to produce two more runs in the fourth. Jackson Sizemore got it started with a lead-off single, and then Lemaster and Pate both walked to load the bases. Zepp drew an RBI walk, before Wade delivered again with an RBI single on a liner to left.

“Offensively, we have taken advantage of our opponent’s free bases and mistakes. It’s not just one guy. It’s someone else every night,” Wisser said.

The Toros overcame two errors on the night, a trend that has existed all season. In 18 games they have committed only 17 errors total, and limiting their mistakes has proven the rewards.

“Our pitching and defense have been superb,” Wisser said.

The pitching also continued to do its part, allowing just one unearned run on the night. Zepp tossed five scoreless frames, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out four. He improved to 3-0 on the season after earning the win, while lowering his team-leading ERA to a minuscule 0.58 in 24.1 innings.

The Toros prepare for their next rodeo.

Brayden Harris has emerged as the team ace, going 5-0 with 31 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.

Ponte Vedra (4-13) managed to avoid the shutout by getting to the bullpen for a run in the sixth. Caden Eidam laced a triple on a fly ball deep to center with one out, and Austin O’Hara put the ball in play with two outs and reached on an error that allowed Eidam to cross the plate.

Eidam is also having a great 2024 campaign to lead the Sharks’ offense. The senior infielder has already collected 21 hits in 51 at bats for a .412 batting average, with four doubles, nine stolen bases and 13 runs.

Leave a comment using your facebook account!