Four consecutive one-run wins have King one step from the state tournament.
By MIKE READLING
Published May 13, 2003
TAMPA - King wasn't supposed to be the topic of conversation one week before the start of the state baseball tournament. Maybe in 1987, when future major-leaguer Derek Bell graced the outfield. Or 1992, when coach Jim Macaluso was able to pick and choose from a roster with 10 seniors headed to college on scholarships that fall.
But this year?
By this time, the Lions were supposed to be a footnote on some other team's trip to the final four.
Tell that to Deltona, which has to face a squad that's turning into one of the state's most compelling stories. It meets King tonight at 7:30 in the Class 5A region final, with the winner advancing to next week's state semifinal.
There are no future major-league draft choices on King (20-4-1). There aren't even any NCAA Division-I signees yet.
The realistic result at the beginning of the season was a .500 record and the hopes that maybe the Lions would challenge for a berth in the district title game.
The reality was a 10-1 district record and third straight championship. Now the chance to secure its first state tourney appearance awaits King.
Don't worry, even Macaluso can't figure it out.
"I don't know what's going on out here," the longtime coach said. "We just keep getting it done."
That's the biggest difference between this squad and all the other players who have donned Lions jerseys. The only other time King was this close to state was the sectional in 1987, Bell's senior year. But, with the winning run on second base, he popped up to end the game helping pave Sarasota's road to the title.
Despite numerous opportunities for such a dismal end this season, King has fought to keep from folding. In fact, it has relished the stressful situations. The Lions won their district semifinal 1-0 over Alonso when Chris Schweitzer hit a single and scored in a rundown. The championship was a 3-2 victory over Leto in which Schweitzer again was the hero, ripping a two-run single in the sixth inning.
The region quarterfinal was another nail-biter as King beat Plant City 1-0. Jeff Bromley scored on an error with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
Then there is Friday's semifinal, which belongs in a class of its own.
That was when, in the bottom of the 14th and almost five hours after the game began, Macaluso called for a play he hoped would force the Spruce Creek pitcher to balk.
It worked.
Zack Surmiak couldn't decide whether to throw to first base or home and didn't step off the rubber as he reacted to two runners moving at the same time.
Zach Livingston scored, and the Lions escaped with another one-run victory, 6-5.
The longest game Macaluso has coached in 28 years at King put him a step closer to a spot he never has been. It seems everything may be falling into place on the corner of 56th Street and Sligh Avenue.
"We looked at the bracket and told the kids that this was the perfect scenario for us," Macaluso said. "We just need to take advantage of it."
