Orlando nightmares are over, at least, and did help Tampa Prep bond.
By MIKE READLING
Published May 18, 2004
TAMPA - Though thousands flock there from around the world to go to the supposed "Happiest Place on Earth," for Tampa Prep, Orlando has been no fun at all.
Not on the surface, at least.
When the Terrapins think of Orlando this season, they recall failure after failure.
During spring break they limped home from the Lake Highland Prep Tournament after winning one of four. The only thing that hurt worse than their egos was their bodies.
Brad Welsh broke his leg. Will Wiand pulled a hamstring. Dylan Johnson sustained a deep shin bruise, and Robbie Goldsberry also came away injured.
When Tampa Prep traveled to Orlando on Friday for its region semifinal game against Trinity Prep, the bus broke down and left the team stranded on the side of State Road 417 for about an hour. Coaches and players were forced to flag down parents and fans, hitching rides to the game, which was pushed back a half-hour.
Coach A.J. Hendrix said it best Monday: "We're fine as long as we don't have to go that way any more," as he motioned east with both arms.
But maybe Orlando hasn't been all bad for the Terrapins, who host Fort Meade in tonight's Class 2A region final at 7.
Some might argue that Orlando was one of the key elements in leading the Terrapins to the region championship game for the first time in school history.
Every good coach knows a team has to go through some adversity in order to get better and, maybe, Orlando was just the thing the Terrapins needed.
"They grew up a lot that week," Hendrix said of the Lake Highland tournament. "They spent the week together, away from their parents, and they became close as a team. They were a little disappointed, but the camaraderie of the team really grew. They learned to fight for each other."
During the tournament the Terrapins played Central Florida Christian (their only win) along with Dr. Phillips, a Class 6A team, and two teams from Tennessee. Their 5-2 record heading into the tournament turned to a nasty-looking 6-5, and the players are still not happy about it.
"The only good thing about Orlando is that we got to play in a stadium," J.P. Goldsberry said of Tinker Field, where the tournament was held. "That will get us ready for Legends Field (site of the state tournament)."
Added shortstop Peter George: "Truthfully, we should have been 3-1."
Since their return the Terrapins (18-10) have been playing like they want to prove George right.
Tampa Prep won its district and advanced somewhat easily in its first two region games, 6-2 over Fort Myers Canterbury and 9-3 over Trinity Prep. The tough schedule Hendrix put in front of his players at the beginning of the season is paying off, and the team filled with juniors is playing like a group of seasoned veterans.
Goldsberry and Matt Palombo have alternated starts since the district semifinal and have pitched complete games each time out. That, Hendrix said, is a big bonus this time of year.
"That's pretty surprising and amazing for a high school staff," he said. "The good thing is everybody's ready to go."
While Goldsberry and Palombo were keeping things intact on the mound, the Terrapin defense stiffened and the bats came alive.
Goldsberry has hit in his past seven at-bats, and brother Robbie is four for his last seven. The team's average has risen from .296 to .312 since the district tournament began.
Add to that the pop Tampa Prep has in the middle of its lineup - Brad Buchman leads the county with 10 home runs and Craig Federer has six - and teams have to worry about more than one aspect of the Terrapins squad.
The only thing that could be considered a downside is that the Terrapins are young. At least they entered the season young.
They are a junior-dominated team, playing in a game no Terrapin baseball team has qualified for. They say that doesn't matter.
"We're trying to do it both years," Palombo said of winning the state title. "We're going to take advantage of what we have now then try to do it again next year."
