Panthers rally for win

Four late runs lift Plant over Middleton.

By SCOTT PURKS
Published March 10, 2007

TAMPA - Any time Nevin Griffith is on the mound, Middleton has a chance to beat anybody, anywhere.

Friday night, the Tigers had a couple of good chances to beat Plant, one of the best teams in the state, if not the country.

But in the sixth and seventh innings, two Tiger threats fell short.

And, after Griffith was pulled after the sixth inning with a high-pitch count, Plant's loaded batting order finally took advantage.

In the eighth, the Panthers strung together three hits, including a 400-foot homer by Preston Tucker, scored four runs and took the victory, 6-3.

"After Nevin left the game, I felt that it was a matter of time before we got to somebody," Plant coach Dennis Braun said.

"We have a strong hitting lineup, especially in the middle (with Lashbrook, Tucker and Jarod Womack).

"The fact we (got only four singles and one earned run against Griffith) is a testament to how tough Griffith is."

Middleton (6-2) put a scare into Plant (7-1) in the sixth inning as it scored two runs.

It would have had runners on first and second base if not for the Tigers' first-base coach getting called for an out for touching a runner as he ran down the first base line.

In the seventh, Middleton had a runner reach third before the final hitter grounded out to the pitcher.

"It was good for us to get through that and make some good plays after we made so many errors (in Tuesday's 17-10 loss to Hillsborough)," Braun said. "I think tonight we learned something.

"They learned that just because some things don't go their way doesn't mean it's the end of the world.

They need to understand that they're a good team and there's no need to panic."

Plant 6, Middleton 3

[Last modified March 10, 2007, 00:22:53]