Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Hudson's defense improving through repetition

By FRANK PASTOR
Published March 18, 2005

Hudson coach Vince Ferlita calls it the "stars drill."

Coaches hit fungoes to fielders. The second baseman and shortstop practice the turn at second. The third baseman charges balls. The first baseman fields short hops. Then, more fungoes.

It was part of Ferlita's plan to improve his defense after Hudson committed 20 errors while going 1-2 at the Tom Varn Invitational Feb. 21-25 in Hernando County.

"We've spent countless blocks of time just repping defense," Ferlita said.

Practice hasn't made perfect, necessarily, but it's made for significant progress.

Hudson committed a total of three errors in its past three games, winning two to even its record at 3-3, including 2-1 in district play.

"At the Tom Varn, we didn't look very good, and what I loved about it is they didn't go away, they didn't stay away," Ferlita said. "They responded to the efforts defensively, and I knew we were better than the way we played."

Pitching, defense and timely hitting have helped Hudson win close games it might have lost in previous seasons.

Senior Tommy Snow pitched a complete game, and sophomore first baseman Sam Donataccio hit a three-run home run to lead the Cobras past Zephyrhills, 4-3, on March 4.

Donataccio homered again four days later, but it was not enough to prevent a 9-4 loss to Tarpon Springs. On Friday, Snow pitched another complete game and drove in the tying run during a 3-2 victory over Gulf.

With games coming up against Wesley Chapel today, Ridgewood March 29 and Land O'Lakes on March 31, Ferlita knows his team will have to continue to build on its successes.

"I like what talent we have hitting-wise," Ferlita said. "We just haven't busted out yet. If we keep winning close games, we'll keep getting better."

NO SLOWING DOWN: When many county teams will be idle, Pasco will play in the Dunedin Spring Break Tournament March 21-26. Coach Ricky Giles views the tournament as a chance for his unbeaten squad to test itself against quality teams outside the county.

Pasco (5-0) is guaranteed three games. If the Pirates beat West Palm Beach Dwyer on Monday, they will play the Bradenton Southeast-Dunedin winner in their second game.

"That week can be a learning process to our ballclub," Giles said. "Like any other coach, I think we're good enough to compete with these people. But our kids do have a little learning to do, and I think if we're going to learn now, I'd rather learn by going out there and playing good programs."

Though rain postponed its past two games, Pasco will enter the tournament with momentum from a 3-0 victory over Mitchell on March 10. Winning pitcher Dominic Brown struck out eight and hit a two-run homer in the late innings to break open a 1-0 game.

"I thought we had good defense," Giles said. "The only thing was, we were still struggling at the plate as far as handling offspeed stuff. We've been working on a lot of drills to stay there. Once we get it all down, I think we'll be a lot better."

FULFILLING EXPECTATIONS: As the season nears the halfway point, Mitchell (6-3) has played much as coach Phil Bell expected. The Mustangs' pitching and defense has been solid, and they have been in almost every game.

"Of nine ballgames, I thought eight we played okay," Bell said. "If we can be consistent throughout the season like that, at the end I think we'll look back and think we had a pretty good year."

Mitchell has won consecutive games since the loss to Pasco, in which Derek Shaw struck out nine before allowing Brown's two-run blast. The Mustangs bounced back to beat River Ridge 4-1 on Friday and Gulf 10-7 on Tuesday.

Neele Neelen struck out nine while allowing two hits in 52/3 innings, and Ryan Garton pitched the final 11/3 to pick up the save against River Ridge. Zack Weber went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and run batted in, and C.J. Hanson had a hit, a run and a stolen base.

Against Gulf, Garton went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, Cody Bracy tripled and scored two runs and Shaw had a double and two RBIs as Mitchell built an early 9-1 lead. Shaw struck out six while allowing one earned run in four innings before turning the game over to the bullpen.

POWER SURGE: Caz Piurowski, Anthony Santa and Jonathan Brewster each homered during a seven-run seventh as Land O'Lakes (2-1) thumped Tampa Catholic 10-0 on March 10. The loss was the first of the season for the Crusaders after five wins.

SCHEDULE CHANGES: The Mitchell-Hudson game postponed Thursday because of rain will be played Wednesday at Hudson. Dates have not yet been set for the Hernando at Pasco or Pasco at Land O'Lakes games originally scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.

[Last modified March 18, 2005, 00:43:17]