CLASS 3A: The Tigers are victorious by the 10-run rule for the third straight game and end region play with 33 runs scored and zero allowed.
By MIKE READLING
Published May 14, 2003
FORT MYERS - After the second pitch of Jesuit's region final against Fort Myers Bishop Verot on Tuesday, the question wasn't whether or not the Tigers were going to the state tournament, it was a matter of by how much.
Right after Shane Robinson ripped a double off Andrew Knox, it was just a matter of time before Jesuit secured its first trip to the final four in three years.
The 200 or so Tigers fans who made the trip south didn't have to wait long to celebrate as Jesuit beat Bishop Verot 10-0 in six innings. It was Jesuit's third consecutive 10-run rule victory and moved its region tournament totals to 33 runs scored and zero allowed.
The Tigers (25-7) play in the state semifinals May 21 at Legends Field at a time to be determined. They face the winner of the game between Miami Belen Jesuit and Plantation American Heritage. Belen Jesuit led 2-0 in the sixth when the game was suspended because of rain. It resumes at 3 p.m. today.
Jesuit was as dominating on offense as pitcher Michael Branham was on the mound.
While the Tigers were tallying eight hits, including three home runs and two doubles, Branham was dazzling Viking hitters with a curveball that started behind them and ended up crossing the outside corner of the plate.
He struck out a season-high 13 and raised his season total to 99 in picking up his eighth win.
"If I had a curveball like that every night, it would be awesome," Branham said.
Added Jesuit coach John Crumbley: "When Michael throws his curveball like that, he is very, very good, and he doesn't have to be perfect with his fastball. (Tuesday), the fastball was perfect too with the location called by (pitching coach) Bob Weiner."
In a rematch of last year's region semifinal, which Bishop Verot won behind Knox's two-hitter, Jesuit scored in every inning except the fifth. The Tigers chased Knox with two outs in the fourth after he allowed eight runs on six hits.
Robinson's leadoff double left Knox, a Wake Forest recruit, scratching his head as he motioned his catcher to the mound for a conference. Brett Bentley, Wesley Jones and Bryan Menendez homered in consecutive innings, and Robinson added a two-run double in the fourth to help bring in Knox's relief.
The trip to state is the eighth in 12 years for Jesuit and will allow it the opportunity to win its fourth title. The Tigers also won in 1994, 1997 and 2000.
"We're just so dominating right now," Branham said.
