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Givens helps Panthers get over first loss

By Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
In print: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

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TAMPA — The Plant bats weren't clicking Tuesday night at Leto, but the Panthers were still able to pull out a district win over the Falcons in impressive fashion.

Plant could thank pitcher Mychal Givens, who allowed just three hits over six innings, striking out 10.

The Panthers could also thank a reeling Leto team that issued seven walks, committed three errors and allowed five unearned runs in the 9-2 Plant victory.

Despite entering the final inning with just three hits, the Panthers (16-1) took a 6-1 lead with a three-run fourth inning and never looked back in their first game since suffering their first loss of the season, 2-1 to Jesuit on Thursday.

"I think our bats need to get a little more focused," Plant coach Dennis Braun said. "Some of our guys were going a little out of their realm. That happens sometimes during the course of the season."

Givens, who improved to 6-0 on the season, kept the Falcons (6-8) off balance by mixing his pitches. At one point between the fourth and sixth innings, eight of nine outs came by strikeout for Givens.

"That 14-inning game took a lot out of us," Leto coach John Pizzio said of Friday's 4½-hour marathon loss at Middleton that started the Falcons' three-game losing streak. "We can play with anyone."