It has upset more heralded district foes, knocked off state-ranked teams and pulled off dramatic victories in the regional playoffs to make it to tonight's region final.
For all that, St. Petersburg Catholic's reward is a meeting with possibly the best pitcher any of the Barons have seen: Jesuit's Michael Branham.
The numbers, and the Barons can't be blamed for not wanting to look, are imposing: 10 wins, 150 strikeouts in 75 innings and already two impressive outings against his opponent tonight.
But instead of cowering in fear, the Barons plan on pulling off a huge upset in the Class 3A region championship game in Tampa.
"It's almost like we have a better feeling that we can beat them this time," senior Michael Tavernier said.
The Barons are 0-3 against the Tigers this year but prefer to look at the scores - 10-1, 5-1 and 2-1 - and see a gap that is narrowing.
Jesuit's win in the district final was hard fought, and Barons coach Charlie Guastella thinks he has seen enough good things to forebode a change in outcome.
"Maybe they do have the odds in their favor," Guastella said. "But we had some guys that were able to get some hits. You have to hope for a couple of guys putting the ball in play and something happening. There are a few guys that have hit in the past, and we just have to do it at the right moment. That going to be the tough part."
The biggest question, though, facing the Barons doesn't involve Jesuit's pitching as much as theirs. Guastella remains torn on a starter for tonight's game: ace right-hander Tavernier, who shut out Clearwater Central Catholic in the district semifinals and won the first regional game; or sophomore lefty David Burns, who held the Tigers in check in the district final.
Tavernier (8-3) has been the big-game pitcher for two years, but Guastella likes the idea of starting a lefty and bringing Tavernier in from the bullpen.
Then again, he likes the idea of starting Tavernier and bringing Burns (4-4) off the bench if they need him.
Then again, he's just not sure.
"We feel like we have a good combination," Guastella said. "We seem to like using our lefty first."
Regardless, Guastella knows his team will need some luck and timing, and more than one run. The margin for error is small.
"This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for us," Tavernier said. "We have nothing to lose."
CLASS 3A REGION FINAL
WHO/WHERE: St. Petersburg Catholic at Jesuit.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
OUTLOOK: The Barons (21-8) are trying to make it to the state semifinals for the first time since 1975 under Jim Vigue and for the seventh time overall (counting when the school was called Bishop Barry). They have won as many playoff games this year (two) as they have in the past 30. David Burns (4-4) or Michael Tavernier (8-3, 3 saves) will start for SPC against Michael Branham, who leads the Tampa Bay area with 150 strikeouts and averages just less than two an inning. Jesuit, the 2000 state champ, is bidding for a second straight final four appearance.
THE WINNER: Will face the Pensacola Catholic-Florida High winner May 26 at Legends Field.
