Aces spur Vikings, Warhawks

Two dominant pitching performances propelled Northeast and Seminole into Friday's championship.

By CHRIS GIRANDOLA
Published April 26, 2007

SEMINOLE - Two dominant pitching performances propelled Northeast and Seminole into Friday's championship.

In the first semifinal at Brinker Field, Northeast senior Josh Bowman allowed four runs, one earned, on four hits over seven innings as the Vikings won 9-4 over Boca Ciega.

The Pirates beat the Vikings less than two weeks ago behind the pitching of Donnie Albro, who had pulled the muscle near the rib cage on his right side in March. It was Albro's first game back and the Pirates (17-9) hoped he would be strong enough to go again on Wednesday.

But it was apparent early on he wasn't himself when the Vikings (13-13) posted two runs in the first inning and one in the third before they exploded for four in the fourth. After recording one out in the pivotal fourth inning, Albro stretched his body too much on a pitch, re-injuring himself and ending his night.

Bowman, meanwhile, recovered from a three-run fourth inning and finished the game strong. The right-hander had 12 strikeouts and only one walk.

Northeast was led offensively by Nick Gaines (2-for-4, four RBIs) and Austin Gaines (2-for-4, two runs).

In the nightcap, Seminole senior right-hander Billy Falasco (5-2) proved his worth on the mound and at the plate as the Warhawks (20-5) beat Dixie Hollins 10-0 in five innings.

Falasco went all five innings and gave up four hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts. He helped himself at the plate with three RBIs and two runs on a 2-for-3 night that included a triple during a five-run inning in the fourth.

[Last modified April 26, 2007, 00:34:06]