Destin Sharks hammer Lions on senior night, after injury

Not only did the Destin High Shark baseball team walk off the field with a 15-1 victory over the visiting L.E.A.D. Academy Lions on senior night, but the team came away with a night to remember. 

 “The senior night was definitely my most memorable senior night so far,” said Destin Coach Juan Bonilla. 

Just minutes after the Sharks recognized their seniors, Patrick Vaccarro, Shane Hoffpauir, Ethan Ramsey, Damian Brazzell, Price Bowen, Adrien DeJesus and Tucker Gentry, one of the freshmen, Chas Bollinger, took a hit from a baseball to the face during warmups that resulted in him being taken by helicopter to a hospital in Pensacola. 

“It was a very emotional night for all of us,” Bonilla said. 

“It’s not every day that you see one of your brothers getting taken away on a helicopter for something that could have easily happened to any one of them. I’m proud of the way that they all bonded together and kept each other up after such a traumatic event and were able to handle business after all was said and done,” Bonilla said. 

“Every player stepped up and kept the energy level up all evening. I’m so proud of this group of seniors for all of the efforts that they have made, all the sacrifices, all the sweat and all the emotions that they have experienced over the past years, and I am thankful to be a part of it,” Bonilla said. 

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After a 50-minute delay, the game got underway. 

Destin put the Lions away in short order. 

After shutting them out in the top of the first, Destin batted through the lineup almost twice in the bottom half, connecting for eight hits and 12 runs. Bowen and Brody Ray hit back-to-back standup doubles, twice in the inning. Brazzell hit two singles, while Hoffpauir and Ramsey each hit one single. 

In the top of the third, the Lions picked up one run on one hit. 

In the bottom half, Destin scored three last runs on two hits. Ramsey singled to right and Vaccarro doubled to centerfield for two RBIs. Destin led 15-1. 

In the top of the fourth, Destin shut the Lions down for the win. 

“Regardless of the outcome, it was a tremendous win for the city and community of Destin,” Bonilla said. 

“To see everyone come together, from the lowest level to the highest, everyone came together to help out in such a tough and emotional time,” he said. 

Parents of fellow players stepped up to help, and the Destin Fire and Rescue was on hand to help with the situation. 

“If there is one thing I’ve noticed from this community, it is the resounding support and love they all have for one another. I am proud and honored to be a part of it,” Bonilla said. 

Coach also thanked the players and coaches of the Lions for the well wishes for Bollinger. 

“He is a strong and resilient young man and is already chomping at the bit to get back out there with his brothers,” Bonilla said Friday morning. 

“Again, I want to thank everyone for coming together before and after the game. It will truly be a memory that not only the seniors will take with them,” he said.