Scores, Videos and Recaps From Tuesday Night's Action
Tampa Catholic 3, Jesuit 1
What can I say? An unbelievable night of baseball at Hyer Field between two teams that mean an awful lot to me.
Jesuit has two of my favorite players that I've ever coached and the Tigers have a tremendous family culture that always makes me feel welcome. I always enjoy my time with the guys on Himes.
Tampa Catholic will always have a special place in my heart because Peter J. Mulry Field was the site of our first Hit the Cut broadcast and Pete has become a dear friend in the last year. All 9 starters for the Crusaders on Tuesday night I either coached or coached against. I always want to see them do well.
I know the night didn't end the way the Tigers wanted it to, but Senior Night was pulled off in such a classy way that it'll always be something I remember about this night. I don't think Cindy Baldor stood still for thirty seconds all night. She and the rest of the great parents worked so hard to make this night special and they did a fantastic job.
The best pitching performance I saw all year was Jeff Hakanson in the Saladino Tournament Final against Alonso. The way he took the ball and just absolutely DEALT for five innings was just masterful.
If that was #1, you might have to call tonight, #1A.
This game meant a lot to Jesuit, yes..... every TC/Jesuit game does. But Tampa Catholic REALLLLLY wanted (and maybe needed) this game.
It's been an up-and-down year for the fellas on Rome, but there are games when it comes together and great things happen.
Enter Conor Grady.
The kid goes on the road against one of the better teams around and pitches an absolute gem.
Yes, he only gave up one run. Yes, he only gave up two hits and struck out eight. But the thing that really stood out to me was the presence on the mound as the game moved on. The confidence and trust in his pitches, and in his teammates, was uncanny. Whether it was fielding a bunt cleanly and throwing to first, or just kinda sweeping the ball over to Big Ruck, Conor found a way to get the job done. He retired the last ELEVEN batters that stepped to the plate for Jesuit.
I know the Crusaders came out on top tonight (And for the full breakdown of the game, CLICK HERE for the great article written by the folks at Spectrum/Bay News 9) but the real winners tonight were all the people who enjoyed the great game of baseball tonight. Whether they watched it on Channel 1147 on their couch at home, or were part of the 200+ in attendance, we all saw how the power of baseball can bring us all together to enjoy a sporting event played by players we all know and love.
I'm lucky to be a part of it.
Durant 11, Chamberlain 0 (five innings)
Durant righty Brien Johnston made the most of his senior night start tossing a five-inning, perfect game with 10 strikeouts for the Cougars. Johnston, a Florida Southern signee was only slated to toss three innings, but his teammate supported him staying in and he finished things off. Coleton Brogden was 2-for-2 with a double and three RBI, Steven Withchoskey doubled, scored twice and made a hit-saving catch in the outfield, and Jonah Scolaro added two hits, an RBI and some defense in support of Johnston’s efforts.
Newsome 9, Brandon 3
Both Newsome and Brandon put up trio of runs each early, but it would be the Wolves patience at the plate and making the most of at-bats that proved the difference as senior Joey Raffaele’s 3-for-4, two double, two RBI night keyed the win. Newsome (15-7) has won seven in a row, and Tuesday night got to a quick start loading the bases before Auston Spires walked to plate the first run. Spires added an RBI single and a run-scoring groundout to the win, while Dan Neely had two hits and a RBI, and Zach Benson scored three times. Junior Will Ohme earned the win on the mound tossing five innings, allowing three runs and striking out four, before Zach Louden worked two scoreless innings in relief. For Brandon, Zach Pommier had three hits with a double and a run scored, and Gabriel Rosado drove in a pair.
Hillsborough 6, Carrollwood Day 2
Hillsborough’s Tim Elko and Nick Romano provided some power each slugging home runs in an afternoon game against CDS for the Terriers 12th win. Elko’s was a two-run shot and Romano’s was his fifth of the season. Terrence Doston went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a double, and Jarrod Cande tripled twice and added a single in the win. Patrick Puentes struck out five in five innings of work to earn the win for the Terriers. For Carrollwood Day, Frank Furey had a double and an RBI and Grant Walford drove in the Patriots other run.
Wharton 2, Plant 1
Wharton’s Austin Appel worked five innings holding Plant to one run, while striking out seven before Duncan Pastore worked two shutout innings and earned the win helping out his own cause at the plate with an RBI double.
Out-of-Door Academy 3, Cambridge Christian 2
The Lancers played a tough Out-of-Door on Tuesday loading the bases in the seventh but came up just short. Austin Carter was 2-for-3, with a double and stolen base, Alex Smith took the loss for Cambridge Christian (18-5) going five innings, allowing all three runs and striking out three, and Jacob Krueger worked one scoreless inning on the mound.
Jefferson 3, Alonso 2
Jefferson made the most of just two hits, scoring three runs highlighted by a two-run home run by Robby Martin (his eight of the season) and held off a late Alonso rally to take home the victory. Jordan Butler struck out 11 for Alonso but Jack Rodriguez went toe-to-toe with one of the best pitchers in the country to pick up the W for the Dragons.
East Bay 8, Blake 2
East Bay got doubles from Sean Vega (two RBI), Jorge Collado (two runs), and Tristan Garcia (three runs, two RBI) to top Blake on the road Tuesday. Jake Gilbert had a two hit night for the Indians, and Bryce Visscher earned the win pitching four innings and striking out four.
Sickles 17, Middleton 2
Eight different players tallied hits as the Gryphons defeated Middleton in four innings. Dylan Eskew doubled, had two RBI and scored three times, Trey Bacon was 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI, and Michael Lojocano had a double in the win.
Plant City 5, Spoto 4
A two-run home run to right started things for Plant City and the Raiders held on to top Spoto on Tuesday. Robinson also earned a three inning save, striking out five and sealing the win for starter Jonathan Simpson (4 innings, five strikeouts, one earned run). Austin Eldridge drove in a pair in the win, and Dalton Wingo and Cade Shissler each scored twice. For Spoto, Adrian Rodriguez, Juan Lopez and Nicolas Ariezaga each doubled in the loss.
Bloomingdale 6, King 1
Bloomingdale answered a King run in the third with a pair of runs and added some late insurance to pick up the win. Nate Chevalier started the Bulls scoring with a single, and Bryce Hazzard added two on a home run to right in the sixth.
Berkeley Prep 3, Steinbrenner 0
Six strong from Julian Bosnic (one hit allowed, eight strikeouts) and a lockdown save from Khalib Bayona (no hits, one strikeout) led the Buccaneers to a win against Steinbrenner. Spencer Myers and Bayona each drove in runs, and Bosnic was 2-for-3 at the plate.
Bell Creek Academy 4, Academy at the Lakes 2
Seffner Christian 10, Admiral Farragut 0
I can't do all of this without my buddy Jarrett Guthrie. Did you guys know Jarrett has a new site with ALL of the great prep news from around Hillsborough county? Head on over to 813preps.com , bookmark it as a favorite on your computer or your phone, and get all the great news about players in the Bay Area.
For the SOFTBALL scores from today, CLICK HERE to get a glimpse of what Jarrett is doing!
ENJOY!!