By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
A month into the prep baseball season, Tampa Sickles was looking at a 4-3 record and coming off a stretch of two losses in three games. Any thoughts of a high seed in the Class 6A, District 7 tournament race had been tempered by rival Tampa Alonso’s hot start.
Fast forward another month and boy things have changed.
The Gryphons have won six of seven games and have clinched the second seed in the district tournament. Along the way, Sickles has swept district foes St. Petersburg and Tampa Gaither and is sitting at 11-4.
“Our season kind of turned around with the St. Petersburg wins," said Sickles coach Bob Pagano of his team’s back-to-back 6-5 and 9-5 wins against St. Petersburg last week. “We set a goal to get the first or second seed and its nice to achieve those goals. The kids feel like they can play and we feel like we got quality wins against St. Petersburg and Gaither.’’
More Baseball
Tampa Cambridge Christian pitcher Matt Fishman hurled a no-hitter last week against Citrus Park Christian.
A sophomore, Fishman struck out seven batters while facing just 15 in a 20-0 five-inning win. Fishman is 4-1 on the season for the 14-1 Lancers.
Clearwater Central Catholic continues to dominate. In three victories last week, the Marauders (14-1) outscored Tampa Lennard, Tampa Catholic and Palm Harbor University 35-5. And two of the wins came by shutout…The hottest team in Hillsborough County got cooled off a bit March 28 as Lithia Newsome saw its 12-game winning streak come to an end. When Newsome (12-4) lost 5-2 to Tampa Freedom, it was the Wolves' first loss since February 19.
Check out the line on Land O’ Lakes senior pitchers Trey Dahl and Matt Fuglesang. Dahl, a left-hander is 6-0 on the season with 37 innings pitched. Dahl has a 1.30 ERA and has struck out 59 batters. A right-handed pitcher, Fuglesang is 5-1 in 33 innings of work. He has a 1.27 ERA and struck out 61…Meanwhile, other pitchers with impressive lines are Clearwater’s Tim Younger and Craig Goodman. The duo has combined to give up just one run in the Tornadoes last six games…And Tampa Alonso’s Alex Panteliodis extended his personal winning streak to 19 games. Panteliodis (7-0) this season allowed two hits and struck out three in the Ravens 9-0 win against New Port Richey Mitchell on March 25.
Tournament Time
As Spring Break arrives it's baseball tournament time on both sides of Tampa Bay.
Tampa Jesuit (17-2) topped Seattle Prep (Wash.) 2-1 to win its inaugural Spring Break Invitational Wooden Bat Tournament. In Pinellas County this week, three tournaments take place. Dunedin hosts the Dunedin Spring Invitational while the Steve Georgiadis Tournament takes place at Seminole. Also, Osceola hosts its Osceola Tournament.
But the biggest event takes place this week in Tampa with the 28th Annual Tony Saladino Tournament. The event runs April 5-11 with games spread out at four venues across Hillsborough County.
All 25 public Hillsborough County schools are participating, along with two private schools and one Pasco County team.
All-Star Hoops
Tampa Gaither’s Kornilous Donnell scored 15 points in the second half to lead the West to a 103-99 win against the East team in the Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association senior All Star Game.
Donnell hit two three-pointers during the game’s final minutes and nailed two late free throws to help seal the victory. Donnell earned MVP honors. Brandon forward Marcus Morrison led the East team with 19 points while Tampa Hillsborough’s Wesley Lewis dropped in 22 points for the West team.
In other basketball news, standout Tampa Prep forward David Waller has committed to Amherst (Mass.) College. The 6-foot-7 Waller led Tampa Prep to the Class 2A region semifinals. He averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds per game.