Note : Apparently there was an incident in the Strawberry Crest/Freedom game where a parent and a coach engaged in a confrontation that involved inappropriate language and behavior. I am not using this forum to badmouth or denigrate either of the parties there because I wasn't there myself, but I implore EVERYONE who is involved with youth sports of ANY KIND, to be mindful that these are KIDS we are dealing with and at the end of the day, we need to all do our best to set a good example for them with our actions. Baseball is a great sport to use as an analogy for life because it is a game of failure. You must learn how to deal with circumstances when things don't go your way and push through those failures and take another swing at it. The importance of sportsmanship and being a good teammate are vital traits that these kids can all use as they grow into their adulthood. Just remember the lessons they learn on a daily basis are more than JUST about the game of baseball.
Take a look at a tweet my buddy Jarrett Guthrie had earlier today :
That IS what it's all about.
Let's get to the scores from Thursday's action around Hillsborough county
BASEBALL
Plant 5, Sickles 4
TAMPA – Plant (13-2) looked like it was going to cruise as the Panthers put up a four-run third inning at home against Class 8A-District 5 opponent Sickles at home. The Gryphons though didn’t go easy as Sickles capitalized on an error, a wild pitch and some solid work at the plate to answer the Panthers with four runs in the fourth.
However, Plant junior Connor Scott moved in from centerfield to the mound and locked things down with three-plus innings of work, striking out three and allowing just a single hit.
“Coming in, I had to help out my team, throw strikes and trust my defense,” Scott said. “They do awesome and I love pitching for them.”
A Matt Coker (2-for-3) double and an AJ Hubbard opposite field, RBI single in the sixth proved the difference as the Panthers move to 3-0 in the three-team district.
In the third inning, Mike Haydak led things off with a double down the third base line. After a pop out, John Shields singled and Haydak and Plant coach Dennis Braun made a solid read on a slight hesitation in the outfield to score the game’s opening run. The Panthers added two more on a double by Brock Fagler and a Chase Sanguinetti single.
Sickles (4-10) answered the next half-inning as Danny Bernstein (2-for-3) singled and eventually scored on an error. The Gryphons added another on a wild pitch before Chase Centala singled in a run and Josh Luther put down an RBI sac bunt to tie the game.
Sickles got some solid defense from Dylan Eskew at third base, where he started a pair of double plays. Gryphons starter Cole Cooper worked 5.1 innings on the mound striking out three, including a big strike out to end the fifth leaving the bases loaded. Plant starter Ethan Richards had five strikeouts in 3.2 innings of a no-decision.
Haydak made a solid back-handed dig and throw for an out for Plant in the sixth, and catcher Zach Koch made a great throw to erase a runner trying to steal second in the third.
Wharton 7, Wiregrass Ranch 2
Wharton (7-6, 3-1 in Class 8A-4) senior Drew Ehrhard and junior Leo Alfonzo were both 3-for-4 with an RBI as the Wildcats won a district tilt with Wiregrass Ranch. Ehrhard, Clayton Coringrato and Ricky Nieves each doubled for the Wildcats, and Ricky Viloria hit a triple. Austin Appel worked six innings to earn the win allowing two runs on six hits, with seven strikeouts.
Leto 9, Tampa Bay Tech 3
Felix Rosario earned the win on the mound for the Falcons tossing five innings, allowing four hits. Rosario also chipped in at the plate going 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
Strawberry Crest 6, Freedom 4
Strawberry Crest (11-2) junior Damien Torres worked his third complete-game of the season and improved to 6-0 on the season as the Chargers defeated Freedom on the road. Tanner Kelley got things started for Crest in the third driving in a run with a single. Joey Parillo had a sac fly and Derek Barone drove in another run on a fielder’s choice. Freedom rallied late with a two-run home run from David Trujeque in the seventh. Senior Khalil Al’mutasim worked 6.1 innings on the mound for the Patriots and also had a double in the loss.
Brandon 8, Durant 0
BJ Carter was a man on a mission as the Eagles defeated the Cougars in a non-district matchup on Thursday night in Brandon. Carter scattered five hits over 6 2/3 innings and struck out 12. He had an RBI groundout in the 1st to get the Brandon scoring started, walked twice and roped a single to right in the 6th.
Zach Pommier and Gabriel Rosado each had two-RBI singles. Pommier hit his after Carter's RBI groundout in the 1st and Rosado added his in the 5th. Jermaine White and Nico Saldino both scored twice.
Durant had trouble stringing together much offense against the Eagles righthander, but Jared Mejia did have two hits, including a sweet, two-out bunt in the 5th.
Jesuit 14, Spoto 0 (five innings)
McGuire Weaver had a home run and drove in a pair as Jesuit (16-1) won a district game over Spoto. Jake Jones (3-for-4) drove in four runs, Mitchell Thrower doubled and drove in three, and Thomas Bencivenga doubled and scored twice in the win. Price Sartor (W, 2 ip, 2 K’s) Jack Anderson (2 ip, one hit, five strikeouts), and Everett Lee (1 ip, 2 K’s) combined for the win.
Cambridge Christian 11, Sarasota Christian 0 (five innings)
The Lancers (11-3) got five strong innings from Michael McCarty, who allowed two hits and struck out two in a shutout win. Sevas Cardona had a pair of doubles for Cambridge, and Tilden Agee doubled in the win as well.
Tampa Catholic 7, Brooks DeBartolo 4
Jonathan Rodrigues doubled twice in a 4-for-4 showing with two runs scored for Tampa Catholic (5-9). Prairie View signee Calvin Rucker was 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI, and Devin Parmet also homered in the win. Sebastian Figga doubled for the Crusaders and Conor Grady was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Jefferson 29, Blake 1 (three innings)
Jack Rodriguez and Robby Martin homered as seven Dragons hitters had multi-hit games and seven others had at least one hit in the mercy rule win.
Alonso 5, Newsome 0
Alonso (12-4) earned a shutout, district win as Jordan Butler worked a complete game allowing three hits and striking out nine. Nick Gonzalez singled, had a stolen base, scored twice and had two RBI for the Ravens.
East Bay 12, Armwood 4
King 5, Plant City 2
Keswick Christian 8, Bayshore Christian 0
SOFTBALL
East Bay 12, Armwood 0 (five innings)
East Bay (13-6) pitcher Haley Murphy walked a pair, but was otherwise outstanding, as the junior hurler struck out 15 batters in a five-inning no-hit performance. Murphy also had a home run in the win.
Berkeley Prep 9, Tampa Prep 1
Katie Hoover was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored and also earned the win on the mound for Berkeley Prep (5-7). Kristian Foreman and Elyssa Wilder each doubled for the Bucs.
Tampa Catholic 2, Bradenton Bayshore 0
Caitlyn Curry and Grace Burleigh each had solo home runs to push the Crusaders over Bayshore at home on Tuesday. Freshman Olivia Mendez struck out eight in a complete-game, shutout win.
Plant City 16, King 2 (five innings)
Beka Schulte (double), Tori Garrison, Abbie DeWeese, Taylor Bennett, Ashley Blessin and Edmilly Molina each had two RBI in the Raiders’ mercy-rule win. Blessin struck out six in two innings of work, and Emily Longoria worked three innings of relief striking out five.
Sickles 9, Plant 1
Sickles (11-9, 2-2 in 8A-5) earned a district win behind big nights at the plate from Kamryn Jackson (3-for-4, double, three RBI), Lauren Lightbody (3-for-4, three runs scored), Sophia Miller (4-for-5, run, RBI), and doubles from Stephanie Perez and Molly Reid. Natalie Zweig earned the win with five innings of work and four strikeouts.
Wharton 8, Wiregrass Ranch 1
Senior Mackenzie Allen went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI, Ysabella Dominguez went 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Emma Poole plated a pair in the Wildcats district win. Hana Schwindler worked a complete-game with four strikeouts for Wharton (8-4, 3-1 in 8A-4).
Alonso 3, Newsome 2 (eight innings)
Alonso (11-5, 3-1 in 9A-8) junior Jodi Handler worked eight innings and earned the win, allowing two runs and striking out six. Veronica Diaz and Kristin Kopp each had two hits for the Ravens, while Scarlett Montalvo had an RBI in the win. Bailee Liestl was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI for Newsome (9-7, 1-3).
Freedom 7, Strawberry Crest 3
Hillsborough 17, Spoto 4 (five innings)
Leto 14, Tampa Bay tech 0
Clearwater Central Catholic 16, Citrus Park Christian 11
Calvary Christian 12, Brooks DeBartolo 0 (five innings)
AS ALWAYS a big shoutout to my man Jarrett Guthrie for his contributions!!