HUDSON - Erik Bua had just pitched the only perfect game in Ridgewood history, putting the Rams in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, but he had to smile at one small imperfection he had in the five-inning, 12-0 win against Zephyrhills.
"I forgot to cover first base on the one ground ball to (Kevin) Johnson," said Bua, who had watched as his first baseman tagged the base after a sharp defensive play in the fourth. "So I guess it really wasn't perfect."
Aside from that, Bua really was, putting the Rams in Friday's district championship against top-seeded Tarpon Springs, which beat Wesley Chapel 2-0. Bua struck out eight and allowed three balls out of the infield. He threw 46 pitches to complete the gem.
"I was just hoping to keep it going," said Bua, a right-hander who improved to 10-0 and lowered his ERA to 0.74. "We wanted to win to make it four years in the playoffs. We came out strong and hopefully it can continue for us."
And though Ridgewood (21-5) didn't need much offense, they had it, with big hits from seniors John Servidio and Aaron McLamar. They hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, and Servidio added a second two-run shot in the second.
"I told the seniors: This is yours," Rams coach Larry Beets said. "There's no Knute Rockne (speech). You've heard me for four years, for 120 ballgames. I can't do cartwheels. I could, but I don't want to. But I'm saying it's time to take charge, take the game in your control and whatever happens, happens. They came through."
Zephyrhills (12-13) didn't get effective work from any of the five pitchers it used. Starter Mike Davis (1-2) allowed five of six batters to reach base, leaving after giving up his fourth consecutive hit.
"We're not hanging our heads - we had a good season," Bulldogs coach Bruce Cimorelli said. "Bua pitched a great game. He was overpowering us and had great control, but he usually does. The pitching wasn't there for us, but they're young kids and they have some growing up to do."
While Ridgewood is in its fourth straight district championship game, the Rams haven't won a title since 2001, a streak Beets hopes to end.
"Four years being there and winning one, you get tired of being a bridesmaid," said Beets, who will start junior Jon Koenigsfeld on Friday.
TARPON SPRINGS 2, WESLEY CHAPEL 0: Senior Matt Klimis threw a two-hitter and drove in the game's first run, leading the Spongers to their first playoff berth since 1998.
"We knew going into this game we were going to win it, I thought," said Klimis (9-2), who gave up singles in the first and second innings and struck out nine. "We just had to make sure we did it."
Tarpon Springs (19-7) was held to five singles by Wesley Chapel's Kevin Holmes and David Stafford.
The Spongers scored in the first when Tim Gayson walked, stole second and took third as the catcher's throw wound up in centerfield. Klimis followed with a two-out single for a 1-0 lead.
Gayson scored the Spongers' other run in the third, sparking a two-out rally with an infield single. Karl Midget singled and Klimis walked to load the bases. Holmes walked Bobby Hartman with the bases loaded to score.
The Wildcats (9-16), who earned their first postseason win Tuesday, were unable to find an offense to match their sterling pitching and defense. They played the Spongers close in both regular-season meetings, losing in 10 innings and winning in eight, but close wasn't enough Wednesday.
"Two-nothing gives you a good chance to win the game," Wesley Chapel coach Steve Mumaw said. "You have to give their pitcher all the credit in the world. We've swung the bat pretty well this year, but he kept us off-balance. Our pitching and defense kept us in it, but we struggled with the bat."
