Scores, Videos and Recaps From Tuesday's Action
Cambridge Christian 3, Seffner Christian 2 (F/8)
TAMPA – There was no panic, just protection. Swing after swing, foul ball after foul ball, Cambridge Christian junior Austin Carter stayed focused at the plate with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of a tie game with district opponent Seffner Christian.
Finally, on the 11th pitch of the at-bat Carter, who was the pitcher of record at the time, drove a shot to the left-center gap that plated the walk-off winner as the Lancers topped Seffner Christian, 3-2 in extra-innings.
“I was trying to do what I could to keep our team in the game,” Carter said. “I wanted to go out there (on the mound) and shut them down and give somebody the opportunity to win it for us. I knew if I did my job, we would have a chance to win and that was all I was trying to do.”
The win marked the fifth-straight for Cambridge Christian (13-3, 5-1 in Class 3A-District 4) and also marked the third-straight home game where the Lancers walked off against an opponent.
“Our kids this year haven’t quit for a single pitch, or on a single play and I think this could be our third in a row (home) comeback victory and walk-off win,” Lancers coach Stephen Piercefield said. “Competing every pitch is something that we talk about and that’s what you got to see on display today in Austin Carter, not only on the mound, but at the plate.”
Seffner Christian (8-4, 3-3 in Class 3A-District 4) took the lead early as Jacob Beauchamp doubled to leadoff the second inning, moved to third on a bunt single by James Peeler and scored on an RBI sac fly from Drew Bassett. The Crusaders got a quality start from junior lefty Andrew Rodriguez, who worked the first five innings allowing just one hit. During that stretch, the Crusaders added a second run as John Gibbons doubled in a run to the centerfield fence in the fourth.
However, Rodriguez ran into some trouble in the sixth as the Lancers got singles from Caleb Faris and Sevas Cardona, followed by an RBI single by Jacob Krueger and an RBI fielder’s choice by Tilden Agee.
The Lancers ran themselves out of possibly taking the lead in that inning as Beauchamp at catcher for Seffner Christian made a great throw to catch a runner trying to take second base and reliever Will Gilbert (who had a double in the game) got a pop-fly out to end the sixth. Beauchamp was a key defensive asset for the Crusaders stopping or keeping five balls in the dirt in front of him with runners on.
Defensively for the Lancers, centerfielder Michael McCarty made a great diving catch to end the fifth and a nice sliding catch to start the seventh. Cambridge Christian starter Alex Smith allowed two earned on five hits, with nine strikeouts before giving way to Carter on the mound who tossed two innings and earned the win.
Jefferson 10, Spoto 0 (F/5)
The unwritten rules of baseball can sometimes seem cruel to an outsider – especially for a pitcher doing something that those rules dictate shouldn’t be discussed. In the moment where a pitcher might be desperate to take his mind off of what’s going on out on the mound, he’s usually isolated. That is until, if he’s lucky, he finds himself mobbed by those formerly-feigning disinterest in a moment that can only be described as perfect. Tuesday night, against Spoto, Jefferson junior pitcher Jack Rodriguez was just that – perfect.
Rodriguez struck out seven including the last two in the fifth inning to complete the five-inning, mercy-rule, perfect game.
“When I got through the third inning I was sitting in the dugout thinking that I’m pretty sure I have a perfect game going,” Rodriguez said. “You wonder, ‘should I tell someone, should I say something,’ but you never want to do something wrong.”
“I just stayed to myself and stayed mentally focused and it went my way.”
For Dragons coach Juan Fontela, the perfecto kind of snuck up on the coaches, but he admitted he abides by the oft-superstitious rules of the game and would have remained mum until the final pitch.
“I’m a superstitious guy, so that’s the one thing you don’t talk about,” Fontela said. “Everyone knows as soon as you say a word, here comes a hit, or there’s a walk. We didn’t realize it until the last inning, but I’m all about not talking about it.”
Fontela pointed to the hard work Rodriguez has put in on the mound and at practice this season, stating that he has really upped his game.
“I was thrilled, our coaches were so happy for him because Jack is such a great kid and works so hard,” Fontela said. “Once he finished it the whole team and all the coaches were running out to the mound, giving him a big hug and congratulating him. It was a special moment.”
Dragons junior Robby Martin was 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double and six RBI in support of his pitcher.
Jesuit 4, Robinson 1
Price Sartor threw five scoreless innings and the Jesuit offense took advantage of some Robinson defensive miscues to secure the top seed in 6A District 8 with a 4-1 win on Tuesday night. Sartor wiggled out of a bases loaded jam in the 1st and went on to strike out seven for his 4th victory of the season.
Joel Brewer got the Tigers offense started in the 2nd when he singled and eventually moved to third on an error. Carter Andersen hit a sac fly to right and Jesuit was up 1-0.
After an Andersen single to lead off the 5th, Ethan Clark bunted back to the pitcher but the attempted throw to 2nd base sailed in to center and everyone was safe. McGuire Weaver picked up an RBI on an infield single and on the next pitch, Clark came home safely on a double steal. Thomas Bencivenga stroked an RBI double to right-center to make it 4-0 and that was all the Tigers offense needed on the night.
Joey Scionti led off the bottom of the 7th with a double for the Knights and eventually came around to score on a Killian McCray sacrifice fly to make sure Robinson wouldn't be shutout.
Alonso 10, Palm Harbor University 1
Alonso’s Jordan Butler hit his fourth home run of the season highlighting his 3-for-4, four RBI afternoon as the Ravens topped district opponent Palm Harbor on the road. Butler, a University of Florida signee is now hitting .490 on the season with 19 RBI. Sophomore Connor McNair was 3-for-3, with a double and three RBI, while Scott Mietzler also doubled in a dun for Alonso (13-4, 3-1 in Class 9A-8). Junior Franco Aleman improved to 2-1 on the season with five innings pitched, allowing one run on three hits, with four strikeouts.
Leto 7, Lennard 2
Leto (10-7) got a 3-for-4 night at the plate from Daniel Irizarry, with three RBI to lead the Falcons over Lennard on the road. Sophomore Christian Suarez earned the win on the mound with five innings of work. For the Longhorns, Keith Harden was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI and Victor Schilling had a triple.
Tampa Bay Tech 13, Middleton 4
TBT’s Tre Banks drove in two on two hits, while Freddie Drayton doubled and had an RBI and two runs scored, while Jaiden Underwood was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Frederick Myers had three hits in the Titans win.
Calvary Christian 1, Berkeley Prep 0
An RBI single in the fourth by Calvary Christian’s Matheu Nelson proved the difference in a pitching duel Tuesday evening. Calvary’s Nolan Hudi allowed just one hit (a Gordon Stetson single), while striking out eight in six innings of work, while Berkeley Prep’s Julian Bosnic stuck out nine and allowed an unearned run in defeat.
Freedom 2, Wharton 1
Freedom earned its first win of the season against district opponent Wharton on Tuesday. Khalil Al’Mutasim pitched 5.2 innings to earn the win and Joshua O’Clair earned the save for the Patriots. Senior David Trujeque went 2-for-3 scoring both runs for Freedom.
Hillsborough 8, Brandon 5
Tim Elko and Nick Romano each drove in a pair as the Terriers defeated Brandon at home on Tuesday. The Terriers used aggressive base running stealing five in the win and took advantage of four Brandon errors.
Steinbrenner 5, Bloomingdale 0
The Yankees played host to Steinbrenner and Bloomingdale as the two teams took to the newly renovated George Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday. The Warriors got ahead in the first as a CJ Van Eyk double eventually came around on a Patrick Morris RBI fielder’s choice. Van Eyk got the start on the mound and earned the win going five innings, and allowing three hits with three strikeouts. Steinbrenner (12-4) added four in the fourth as Morris scored on a wild pitch, Anthony Cassos doubled in a pair and Van Eyk added an RBI single to the total. Chase Campolong worked two innings of relief with two strikeouts for the Warriors.
Plant City 8, Armwood 2
Dalton Wingo had three triples and drove in four to lead Plant City (5-9) to a non-district win over Armwood.
Brooks DeBartolo 9, Tampa Prep 1
Brooks DeBartolo senior Xavier Rodriguez had a double and a solo shot home run and Jackson Alvord drove in a pair for the Phoenix. Tyler Coffey (double), DeAndrey Mahoney and Logan Eade (two doubles) each recorded two hits and drove in a run, and Johnny Diaz also doubled in the win. Freshman Ryan Bradarich earned the win on the mound allowing just one run over 4.2 innings and striking out three.
Riverview 4, Plant 0
Riverview pitcher Manny Martinez allowed just two hits across six shutout innings against Plant, before Reagan Jorgensen came on in relief to earn the save. Garrett Thompson hit a two run offense to spark the offense, while Justin Farmer was 2-for-3 with a double, Tyler Roschfska had and RBI single and Dylan Besnier went 2-for-3 with a double for the Sharks.
King 9, Blake 0
Sarasota Riverview 3, Newsome 2
Carrollwood Day 9, Lakeland Christian 7
Wiregrass Ranch 10, Strawberry Crest 8
Sickles 3, Chamberlain 2
Gaither 6, Durant 5
Clearwater Central Catholic 7, Tampa Catholic 1
SOFTBALL
Plant City 2, Armwood 0
Raiders sophomore ace Ashley Blessin struck out 14 and allowed just one walk as she pitched a no-hitter against Armwood Tuesday night. Blessin is now 11-1 on the year, with 110 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched. Junior Beka Schulte hit a solo home run, and Edmilly Molina (1-for-3) scored on an Emily Longoria sac fly.
Chamberlain 2, Sickles 0
Chamberlain took control early as first inning hits from Alex Quinonez and Vivica Smith turned into early runs and Gabbie Vallee did her job on the mound earning the win and striking out seven. Hope Hernandez had a triple for the Chiefs in the win.
Carrollwood Day 7, Lakeland Christian 3
Patriots freshman Kylie Coffin went 3-for-4, with a double, an RBI and a run scored, while also earning the win on the mound with a complete-game effort. Coffin is now 6-3 on the mound this season. Senior Emma Frost was 3-for-5 with two runs scored, Sydney Pelaez was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and Kacey Akins drove in a pair in the Carrollwood Day (6-3, 5-0 in Class 3A-District 4) win.
Newsome 6, Sarasota Riverview 1
Jada Smallwood had a pair of doubles to lead the Wolves as the team had 13 hits against district opponent Riverview at home. Mackenzie Trgo had a pair of RBI, while Lindsey Harper doubled and Allyson Jameston earned the win with five innings pitched and five strikeouts.
Wharton 7, Freedom 3
The Wildcats had 10 hits including an RBI triple from Asia Thomas, a 3-for-5 showing and an RBI from Chloe Lee, two RBI from Ysabella Dominguez, and two hits from Emma Poole to top nearby rival Freedom.
Bloomingdale 1, Steinbrenner 0
Alexys Lawson allowed just one hit as she struck out 16 in the Bulls victory over Steinbrenner. Lexie Chevalier had the game winning RBI in the top of the first driving in Kayla Wilson, who was 2-for-4 in the win.
Seffner Christian 4, Bishop McLaughlin 2
Hillsborough 15, Brandon 8
Academy of the Holy Names 8, Berkeley Prep 3
Wiregrass Ranch 7, Strawberry Crest 2
Palm Harbor 1, Alonso 0
Plant 7, Riverview 2
Cambridge Christian 12, Clearwater Central Catholic 2