Pitching seals Alonso win

Alonso 3, Plant 0

By SCOTT PURKS
Published March 22, 2007

BRANDON - This kid from Alonso is only a sophomore, but he can bring it. And not only does he throw it around 90 mph, but he hits his spots. High, low, in, out.

"He throws like a senior," said umpire Willie Larkin, who was behind the plate for the Alonso-Plant quarterfinal at Brandon High. "A really good senior."

Ray Delphey, 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, limited Plant to four hits in a complete-game victory.

"I felt good before the game, and I felt good during the game," Delphey said. "When we got our runs (all in the fifth inning), I became extremely confident that we were going to get it done."

Nathan Hardin led off the fifth with a single, and after a single by Eric Collins, an RBI double by Adam Pendleton and a passed ball, the Ravens had all the runs needed.

"I'd say we played pretty well today," Alonso coach Landy Faedo said. "And we've been pretty solid all year."

Delphey was as strong at the end of the game as when he started. "I never felt like I was losing anything," he said. "When I heard we were playing Plant in this game I was excited because I know what a good team they have."

In today's 4:30 p.m. semifinal, Alonso meets Gaither, the only team to give Delphey (2-1) a loss this season.

"I love second chances," he said. "I can't wait."

Scott Purks, Times staff writer

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 23:31:35]