Austins augment Vikings' success

They all have the same first name and play the same tough game for Northeast.

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published May 9, 2006

	[Times photo: Willie J. Allen Jr.]
	Northeast's Austin Yee, left, Austin Smith, center, and Austin Gaines all pitch, play top-notch defense and hit over .300.

ST. PETERSBURG - Tamra Yee had it suggested to her by a girlfriend, and even better, it was the same name as one of her favorite designers.

Staci Gaines liked the sound of it and thought it a unique name.

And Don Smith?

"It sounded like it would be a great name for a governor," he said.

So they all made the same choice, on different days in different years:

Austin it would be for their boys.

"We thought it was different, but we quickly learned that it was common for his generation and were like, "awww man,' " said Tamra Yee.

Who knew that years later the boys would all come together and lead Northeast to its best baseball season since 1962.

Tonight at Northeast, first baseman Austin Yee, third baseman Austin Gaines and rightfielder Austin Smith all will play pivotal roles in trying to lead the Vikings to the state semifinals.

"All three guys have been a huge part of our success this year," said coach Eric Wagman, who in his first season learned quickly it is best to call his best players by their nicknames.

For Yee, that would be China (his father is Chinese). Gaines is Gainer (given to him by an AAU coach). Smith is Smitty.

Each player has had the best year of his high school career, pacing Northeast to an 18-game win streak and a district title.

Need more?

Consider the first inning of last week's victory over Robinson. Gaines, batting second, reached base. Smith, batting fourth, homered to score him and his namesake. No. 5 hitter Yee doubled and came around to score on two wild pitches. A 1-0 deficit became a 3-1 lead.

That's the way it has been all year. Even after a late-season slide that included losing the Pinellas County Athletic Conference title game and getting shut out by Palm Harbor University and Boca Ciega, the Austin Trio have helped point the Vikings back in the right direction.

"We are in straight-out ready to play mode," said Gaines, who Wagman says is the best third baseman in the county. "We had some injuries and some people not ready to play. We got lackadaisical. And we got a little big-headed. I think all the attention got to us."

Yee agrees.

"We were getting a little too cocky," he said. "But that's behind us now."

Smith said the Vikings realized they had too much talent not to win. Northeast returned every starter but one from a team that won 16 games a year ago.

The Vikings have breezed to four straight playoff victories (including districts). A fifth postseason win will require another solid pitching effort, airtight defense and some hot bats.

Chances are, some guy named Austin will play a part in delivering each.

HILLSBOROUGH (28-4) AT NORTHEAST (24-5), 7 p.m.: The Vikings will start either Jacob Wilder, who has been slowed by a sore shoulder, or quarterfinal winner Austin Gaines. But you can bet coach Eric Wagman will go to Josh Bowman or Austin Smith at the first sign of trouble against a Terrier offense that might be the best in Tampa Bay. The Vikings are looking to get back to state for the first time since 1962. They'll have to beat Matt Schurig (14-0, 0.59 ERA) to do so.

[Last modified May 9, 2006, 00:42:06]