Riverview spoils district perfection of West Tampa
By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published June 19, 2004
Riverview's Xavier Malave and Tyler Nessmith combined to no-hit West Tampa Post 248 (5-1) on Thursday in a 4-0 win, handing the team its first district loss.
Malave started and threw four innings, then Nessmith came on in relief.
"I don't think it mattered who was throwing," West Tampa 248 coach Pop Cuesta said. "It was just one of those games."
It was Riverview's (2-4) second district win of the year. The first came Tuesday with a 7-5 victory against Freedom.
RAVENS REMAIN PERFECT: The Ravens baseball club stayed undefeated in district play (5-0) and ran its overall record to 10-0 by capturing last weekend's John Marriotti Tournament in Winter Haven. The Ravens scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat West Tampa 6-5 in the semifinals. Matt Stephenson was credited with the win.
The Ravens then blanked Bradenton Post 24 6-0 in a game shortened by rain. Charles Cleveland had a pair of home runs, and Gus Fernandez and T.J. Alonzo each hit one as the Ravens beat Wharton 8-1 Thursday.
RAIN DELAYS: Most games Tuesday were canceled because of heavy rain. One of the anticipated matchups would have been West Tampa 248 and the Ravens, with both undefeated in districts at the time.
After the Ravens' come-from-behind semifinal tournament victory against West Tampa 248, the teams were slated for a rematch, this time with district implications, Tuesday. But rain spoiled the potential meeting, then Riverview upset West Tampa 248 on Thursday. The game was rescheduled for June 26 at Alonso.
SICKLES SWEEPS THE WEEK: Sickles improved to 6-3 in the district with wins against Tampa Catholic and Hillsborough. Jeff Heriot picked up the victory and Ryan Roberts the save in a 5-4 win against Tampa Catholic on Tuesday. David Bedore was credited with the win against Hillsborough in a wild 13-8 victory on Thursday. Sickles fell behind 8-2 before scoring 11 unanswered runs.
"Our hitting is really starting to come around," Sickles coach Bob Pagano said. "We hit a ton of doubles and just kept finding the gaps."
