Cougars come up short in semis

Alonso and Gaither advanced with one-run wins Wednesday in the semifinals.

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published April 26, 2007

CLEARWATER - A pair of seasons ended while two more extended into next week's postseason as Alonso and Gaither advanced with one-run wins Wednesday in the semifinals.

Alonso's Alex Panteliodis' two-run homer in the first provided all the runs starter Tommy Toledo needed as the Ravens beat host Countryside 2-1.

"I didn't know it was out at first," Panteliodis said. "But I looked up and the (rightfielder) didn't move so I knew it was out."

Brandon Pedersen's sacrifice fly in the fourth trimmed the lead to one, but Toledo (8-1, 10 strikeouts) fanned three in the fifth, got an inning-ending double play in the sixth and retired the side to end the game.

The Ravens' (23-3) win overshadowed a sparkling performance by Cougars starter JD Hunter (4-3). The junior lefty went the distance, giving up two hits while striking out eight. Hunter retired 12 straight at one point and didn't allow a runner past second after the first.

"He's going to be the heart and soul of this staff next season," Countryside coach Jeff Davis said.

The Ravens play Gaither, a 2-1 winner over Sickles, Friday at 7 p.m. The Cowboys' Brady North singled in the winning run in the sixth but the play of the game came on the final out.

Trailing 2-1 with runners on second and third and one out, Gaither's (20-6) Sergio Delgado fielded a chopper from Blake Turner. Delgado looked back the runner on third and fired to first for the out.

Craig Plastic, Sickles' (15-8) fastest runner, then broke for the plate. Catcher Josh Graham caught the throw from first baseman Drew Malley up the line and his swipe tag got Plastic.

[Last modified April 26, 2007, 00:16:26]