Ocoee baseball tops West Orange, continues strong start to season | Observer Preps

OCOEE — Ethan Long allowed just three hits and one run over seven innings of work and the Ocoee Knights successfully held off the visiting West Orange Warriors March 27 to earn a 2-1 win.

Including a win the next day against Evans, Ocoee has raced out to a 5-0 start to the 2018 varsity season with district play in Class 8A, District 5 set to begin next week with a pair of games against Ocala's Forest High.

"Anytime we hook up with West Orange, since I've been here, it's been a close ballgame — we know their one of the best programs in the county and the state," Ocoee head coach Bobby Brewer said. "My guy Ethan Long, he's been lights out for us three times this year already."

Long's strong work on the mound was bolstered strong days at the plate from Ryan Lattner (2-for-3, two runs scored) and Caleb Andreus (2-for-3).  Tyler Gray went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Senior Doug Nikhazy drove in the only run of the game for West Orange.

The victory against the Warriors (1-2) is the highlight of the five wins the Knights have amassed so far, including wins against nearby Windermere Prep and Wekiva.

Ocoee is fresh off of its first-ever playoff appearance in 2017, and Brewer is optimistic that the continuity and familiarity within his program will continue to be a benefit as the Knights wade into district play.

"Our guys are starting to believe," Brewer said. And when you start believing, you become pretty tough."