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All-star experience prepares Pirates

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published February 16, 2007

If faced with a bases-loaded situation while protecting a one-run lead in a win-or-go-home situation, it will be nothing pitcher Aaron Brandt hasn't seen in the past, oh, six months.

In that same situation, if a ground ball comes rolling towards shortstop Dustin Brown, victory just one clutch throw away, it will be old hat.

In fact, for at least six of the players on Pasco's roster this season, there is no amount of pressure that may arise this spring that they didn't already face down last summer while playing for Dade City's state championship Little League All-Star team.

"I'd say it's a little more pressure during All-Stars because they put together the team and then it's lose one game and its over," said Brown.

"In high school, you have 20 games to get ready for that."

Brandt and Brown, the Pirates' Nos. 1 and 2 pitchers this season, think good things are in store for their high school team, hoping that the summer experience rubs off.

Coach Ricky Giles thinks it does. He has already noticed a more confident team as the Pirates set out to repeat as the district champion in Class 4A, District 8.

"Summer time is when a lot of baseball teams are made," said Giles.

If you look at any great high school baseball team in Tampa Bay in the past decade, whether Seminole, Dunedin or Hillsborough, the common denominator always seems to be a champion Little League team somewhere in its past.

The better the Little League program, the better the high school team. Which is why Giles has been able to field contenders almost every year at Pasco and why this year's team holds so much promise.

"We've been fortunate," he said. "We've had a lot of good kids that have come up through the Little League program and play on some really good teams. It's good to know we have that arsenal we can always go to."

This year, that arsenal includes Zach Maggard, an all-county catcher who headed for Florida Southern, a solid outfield led by Quentin Jones and an infield that includes powerful Reyes Perez.

Both players were key contributors this summer as well.

And the Pirates have nine pitchers, led by Brown, a shortstop when he's not pitching, and Brandt.

"The key with all those pitchers is we have Zach behind the plate," Giles said. "He works the pitchers really good. I think he'll be the big difference for us."

John C. Cotey can be reached at cotey@sptimes.com or 727-869-6261.

[Last modified February 16, 2007, 00:24:19]