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Durant's second in command

The starting pitcher delivers but doesn't always get attention for it. That's okay, he says.

By BRYAN BURNS
Published April 21, 2006

Durant starting pitcher Tony Garcia hasn't received the attention that fellow starter Carmine Giardina got this season.

And that's just fine for the 18-year-old right-hander.

"I would much rather not have to deal with what Carmine has to go through," Garcia said.

What Carmine goes through is having every pitch tracked and recorded by the dozen or so major league scouts who watch his every move. They're gunning for the left-handed hurler because of his reputation as one of the county's best.

Such is life for Giardina, the 23rd best high school prospect in the country, according to Perfect Game USA.

"I told Carmine that he has the toughest job because he's expected to win every time he steps on the mound," Durant coach Ron Fussell said. "That's not the case with Tony."

Garcia is the overlooked man on Durant's team. Yet his numbers have been equally impressive.

Garcia leads Durant in wins (7) and innings pitched (50.2), and has the lowest ERA among Hillsborough County starters (0.53).

"We knew Carmine was going to have a good year, but Tony has been phenomenal," Fussell said.

But because his fastball doesn't have quite the velocity of Giardina's, Garcia pitches in relative obscurity.

"I'm not a power pitcher like Carmine is," Garcia said. "I have to be able to locate my curveball and slider. I rely more on location than velocity."

Garcia, who's 5 feet 10 and 165 pounds, knows what it's like to have the target on his back. He was Durant's top starter in his 10th-grade year, collecting seven wins in the process. But with Giardina's emergence last season, Garcia hasn't had to shoulder the weight of the team's fortunes.

"It's nice being the man, but it's rough also," Garcia said. "I can do my thing now without worrying about all the added pressure."

In Durant's 4-3 victory over Riverview on April 4, Garcia collected his seventh win, and more importantly, set the school record for most career wins at 22.

"He's not overpowering, but he's a heck of a competitor and has no fear," Fussell said of Garcia. "He has a great fastball, and, when he's throwing it well, his slider is unhittable."

Durant's nine seniors make up the bulk of a team that is currently 18-4 and one of the top teams in Class 6A. As district tournament play begins Monday, Durant will be one of the favorites, thanks in large part to the 1-2 combination that Garcia and Giardina provide for the Cougars.

Garcia will attend Daytona Beach Community College on a full athletic scholarship next year.

"I really want our team to go into the state playoffs and put together a good run," he said. "People don't think of Durant - this school out in the country - as being able to compete. But I want to put Durant on the map."

[Last modified April 20, 2006, 13:14:17]