Dunedin cleanup hitter's production key

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
In print: Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Dunedin third baseman Jamison Sweat transferred from Palm Harbor University and is tasting playoff success at last.
	[MICHAEL C. WEIMAR | Special to the Times]

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DUNEDIN — An exuberant group of Dunedin Falcons rushed off the field, loaded up their equipment and ran to the crowd dispensing high-fives.

The celebration began minutes before on the final out of Friday's region final against North Port that gave Dunedin its first state semifinal spot in six seasons.

Jamison Sweat basked in the glow.

"This is what I came here for," Sweat said.

For three seasons, Sweat played at Palm Harbor University. He made the postseason once and never won a playoff game.

With the Hurricanes decimated by graduation, Sweat didn't think he would ever get a chance to make a run at a title.

So he switched schools.

"I wanted to come to Dunedin and play with these guys," Sweat said. "I thought we'd have a good shot at winning states."

Sweat, considered one of the county's top cleanup hitters, is having a monster season for the Falcons with a team-leading .431 batting average and 41 runs scored.

In Game 1 of last week's region final, he brought home the tying run in a nail-biting, come-from-behind victory.

"When Jamison was at PHU, he was always the guy we had to worry about," Dunedin coach Tom Hilbert said. "And he's been very productive for us."

Sweat already is accustomed to titles — in soccer. He won one state championship and lost another with the Hurricanes.

"It helps me because I already what to know what to expect in this type of atmosphere," Sweat said.

Now Sweat is after another prize — a baseball trophy and the ring that comes with it.

"I didn't expect anything less," Sweat said."