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District baseball preview: Can a local team go the distance?

 
Entering districts, Jesuit looks to defend its state title with a strong pitching staff which includes No. 2 starter Bobby Hearn (4-3, 1.56 ERA).
Entering districts, Jesuit looks to defend its state title with a strong pitching staff which includes No. 2 starter Bobby Hearn (4-3, 1.56 ERA).
Published April 19, 2015

This time last year, Jesuit limped into the Class 5A playoffs, losers of three of its last five games with nine players suspended for violating a school policy. Of course, the Tigers went on to win seven straight and a state championship.

Do they have another run in them this season? Does any team in Tampa Bay have a chance to be this year's Jesuit? Tampa Bay has had several state champions in the past decade, including Alonso (2011, 2009), Dunedin (2008) and Clearwater Central Catholic (2007). And though there are many teams that have the potential to make a run this year, predicting just who that will be could be a challenge thanks to extreme parity.

With district tournaments just around the corner, now is the time to see just who has the chops to bring a second straight state title back to Tampa Bay.

Streaking

Steinbrenner: The Warriors (16-6) had a rough start, losing four of their first eight games. But since the Saladino Tournament in mid March, Steinbrenner has won 10 of 11, while outscoring those opponents 85-12. Starters Drew Burkhart and Brandon Johnson are both hitting above .400, and ace Ryan Fatzinger has posted a 1.09 ERA, striking out 60 in 511/3 innings pitched.

Jesuit: Under new coach Miguel Menendez, the reigning state champion Tigers (17-8) began the season 0-4, but since then Jesuit has lost a total of four games and won six of its past seven heading into the district tournament. Kennie Taylor (.455, 16 RBIs) is leading the way at the plate, while the 1-2 punch of Drew Martin (1.62, 6-2) and Bobby Hearn (1.56 ERA, 4-3) has carried the Tigers on the mound.

Osceola: The Warriors (17-8) were supposed to be down a bit after graduating several players from a talented senior class. But they won 10 of the past 12 games, and notched three quality wins in the IMG tournament as well as wins against Mitchell and Dunedin during that streak. Osceola went 5-0 in Class 6A, District 10, so anything short of a repeat trip to regions would be a disappointment.

Indian Rocks Christian: The Golden Eagles (20-5) have won six of their past seven, including a big win over Calvary Christian that helped seal the top seed in Class 3A, District 9. They also defeated Class 7A Northeast, and appear to have the pitching and offense to go far.

Something to prove

Hillsborough: The Terriers (14-8) do have a baseball tradition, but it's one that has been in the shadows for the past eight years. The Terriers fell in the 5A state championship game in 2006 and haven't made the playoffs since. Though the Terriers are in a tough district, timely hitting like they've had this season could push them through.

Plant: The Panthers (15-7) have two potential Major League Baseball draft picks on their roster, but haven't necessarily performed up to expectations. Now that the postseason has rolled around, Plant has a chance to change that. The Panthers are competing in one of the toughest districts around, but with arguably the best hitter, Kyle Tucker, and pitcher, Jake Woodford, in the area.

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Leto: Leto (15-8) has already had its most successful season under coach J.J. Pizzio, winning its milestone 15th game against Robinson. Can they continue that streak into the playoffs? The Falcons were district runnersup two years ago before losing in the first round to Osceola, but this time around they have a championship on their minds.

East Lake: A return to state in Class 7A seems unlikely … or does it? The Eagles (18-7) do not have a dominant pitcher like last season's Brad Deppermann, or a Division I player like Keegan Maronpot. But East Lake shouldn't be taken lightly. The Eagles earned the top seed in Class 7A, District 9 and have won 12 of 14 games. The offense can be hit or miss, but Sawyer Wirth (.447. 24 RBIs), Jakob Sessa (.413), Andrew Monahan (.371) and J.J. Yergey (.349) have been consistent. On the mound, Ryan Wall returns from last season. He is 4-2 with a 1.57 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 40 innings. Kyle Caldwell is also 4-2 with a 1.13 ERA in 43 innings.

Bishop McLaughlin: Hurricanes' coach Jeff Swymer has said all season that the goal of this year's team is to get to the Class 3A state tournament, and they have done mostly all the right things so far. They are 21-3 and have the top seed in the 3A-10 tournament at Tampa Prep. Bishop McLaughlin did lose two district games, to Carrollwood Day and Seffner Christian. The Hurricanes have two aces: Nate Pearson is 6-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 52 innings and Carson Ragsdale is 6-2 with a 1.02 ERA. Throw in Franklin German and Dominic Diaz and the Hurricanes have some tough arms to deal with. Ragsdale, a junior who recently committed to USF, leads the team with a .468 average.

Palm Harbor University: There is not much postseason tradition for the Hurricanes (19-7). Their last region tournament win was in 2000, and they haven't made it past the district tournament since 2008. But this year's team is improved after just 11 wins last season. They are the top seed in the four-team Class 8A, District 8. An opening-round win over No. 4 Sarasota Riverview would put them in the regions. Clayton Moran, Riley Degnan, Adam Jurco, John Pichman and Dan Hollander have been some of the contributors on a team with no real superstar.

Dunedin: Talk about something to prove. The Falcons (20-5) were supposed to play in Thursday's Pinellas County Athletic Conference championship game against Northeast. But they scheduled too many games and were declared ineligible. While they won't have a chance to claim a PCAC title, it's a safe bet they'll be motivated for a district title and beyond. This is a talented team, with Colton Widdows, Tim Luth and Chris Hunter leading the pitching staff. Trevor Jensen (.474) and Justin Glover (.382) have been tough outs all season.