On the day that the Stoneman Douglas baseball team played their first game of the season, Pompano Beach and Cardinal Gibbons would play in the evening, kicking off the Chris Hixon Scholarship fund. Joe Giummule, the head coach from Pompano Beach, worked under Hixon during his time at South Broward and helped kick-start the idea thanks in big part to the Hixon family.

The Hixon family kicked off the evening, throwing out the first pitch and in a way not only starting a scholarship in their late father and husband's name, but continuing the healing process for the community.

The turnout was as even greater than expected, with parents and students not only from the two schools on the field, but from all over the community. Coach Gimmule and Coach Hamilton from Cardinal Gibbons know the matchup well and knew it would be a game that would live up to big evening surrounding it.

“Whenever we play Gibbons it doesn’t matter how good either team is, it is always a nail biter. It’s a true cross-town rivalry” said Coach Giummule. “Coach Hamilton and I both come from the same coaching pedigree, as we both played for the great Coach Hysell at Coconut Creek.“

The game did not disappoint either, as Pompano Beach started Pepperdine recruit Trevor Kniskern and Cardinal Gibbons would started Florida recruit TImothy Manning. Both pitchers dominated as the game remained scoreless until Pompano took the 1-0 lead on a throwing error in the bottom of the fourth. Kniskern would go 5+ innings, working 87-89 mph with his fastball from a loose athletic frame, while striking out several on a 71-73 mph slider. He would exit though with the bases loaded in the 6th inning, replaced by Michael Schuler. Thanks to a pair of strikeouts and a groundout, Schuler would hold the 1-0 lead for Pompano heading into the seventh.

Manning was equally, if not more impressive on the mound for the night. The sophomore worked a complete game, despite earning the loss, showed why he is a top sophomore in the state. He has filled out a large, projectable frame. He worked mostly 87-89 touching 90 mph on the fastball and showed a a swing and miss slider at 73-77 mph. (Check out full scout noes below)

Cardinal Gibbons tied the game up in the top of the seventh thanks to a  line drive single from Ty Crittenberger. Despite the mostly dominate performance from Manning, he lost some command in the seventh inning and ended up with the bases loaded against Jake Nord. Nord would come through with the walk-off single for Pompano in a big win in their home opener and first district game.

 

Not only were they celebrating  the win, but as Coach Giummule said, “We were also celebrating the lives of 17 victims from Stoneman Douglas and kicking off the Chris Hixon Scholarship Foundation fun. Having his wife Debbie and son Cory throw out the first pitch, that just added to the emotions running through me”

Indeed a great night, a great game and the start of a great foundation.

For more information or to donate to the Chris Hixon Scholarship Foundation please contact Joe Giummule at [email protected].

Scout Notes- Login to see scout notes and video

Trevor Kniskern, RHP/INF, Pompano Beach (2018)

Timothy Manning, LHP, Cardinal Gibbons (2020)

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