The Dragons receive all the free passes they need in a 3-1 win over Armwood in District 11.
By TERRY JONES
Published May 8, 2004
SEFFNER - Jefferson picked up only one hit, but took advantage of seven walks to defeat Armwood 3-1 and capture the Class 4A, District 11 championship Friday night.
The Dragons host Lake Wales Tuesday night in the region quarterfinals and Armwood will travel to Winter Haven.
Freshman right-hander Joey Delgado (6-0) was the winner, scattering three hits and striking out four. Derek Bolock pitched a complete game to take the loss.
"I knew we could do it if we all worked hard together," Delgado said. "My fastball, locations and movement were all working fine for me tonight. But the whole team worked hard for the win."
Jefferson scored early with the help of two walks.
In the bottom of the first inning, Fred Freeman led off with a base on balls and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Peter Millan. Josh Collazo singled deep to leftfield, allowing Freeman, a speedy sophomore, time to make it home and give the Dragons the lead.
Victor Zamora and Joey Rivera walked to start the third. Zamora moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Millan's sacrifice fly to deep center.
Armwood came back in the top of the fourth to get within 2-1, using a walk by Jefferson's pitcher. With one out, Tyler Scott walked to first and moved to second on a wild pitch. A throw high over the outstretched glove of the Dragons first baseman allowed Scott to score.
"For being as young as we are, we played well tonight," Jefferson's 34-year-veteran coach Pop Cuesta said. "We are still getting experience. Any time you can beat Armwood on their field in a big game like this you've done something. Anything beyond this game is just gravy for us."
