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Big third lifts Lancers

TAMPA -- One time through the lineup was all Seminole Presbyterian needed until it struck. William Long led off the third with a single to rightfield, advanced to third when Warren Garrison's pickoff attempt sailed into rightfield and scored on a wild pitch.

It was Seminole Presbyterian's first run. And it kicked off a rally that didn't stop until 15 players had batted, everyone in the lineup had scored at least once, Indian Rocks Christian used three pitchers and the Lancers assured themselves of their third consecutive district title.

The only formality left was the final score, which was Seminole Presbyterian 12, IRC 2 in five innings. Seminole Presbyterian hosts Lakeland Christian on Tuesday, and IRC travels to Winter Haven All Saints' for regional quarterfinals. "We put the ball in play and did what we needed to do," Lancers coach J.J. Pizzio said. "We forced them to make mistakes. It was time for us to wake up and play like the type of team we're supposed to be."

The type of team the Lancers are supposed to be centers around a reputation built during the past five years.

Seminole Presbyterian (26-5) has advanced one round further each year, beginning with the regional quarterfinals five years ago and progressing to the state semifinals last season.

A continuation of that would lead the Lancers to the state final for the first time. And if they play like they did in the third inning Friday, that is not out of the realm of possibility.

The Lancers scored 11 runs on seven hits and three IRC errors.

Six players picked up RBIs. Long scored twice and drove in two despite a fever. And Eric Perez scored once and drove in two less than three weeks after surgery for a broken nose.

But IRC fought back, scoring twice in the fifth to cut the lead to nine and forcing the Lancers to bat in the bottom of the inning. Tommy Salemy led off with a double to the leftfield wall, moved to third on Chris Phethean's grounder to second and scored on a wild pitch.

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