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Isn't that a surprise
By BOB PUTNAM AND BRYAN BURNS
Published March 5, 2008
Northeast in the baseball playoffs? Tarpon Springs a softball district champion? Largo a winning baseball team after years of losing? ¶ All these developments or none of them could unfold this baseball and softball season, but these teams have played well enough to put themselves in position to make something happen. There also have been other surprises through the first three weeks. Here are just a few:
Baseball
Surprising teams
Largo (7-1):The Packers are off to one of their best starts in years. Big district tests loom this week against Tarpon Springs and Clearwater.
Northeast (8-2):Some dropoff was expected after the Vikings lost key starters, including ace Josh Bowman, to graduation. But Northeast is in the thick of the Class 5A, District 11 race.
Tarpon Springs (4-4): The Spongers are rebounding from a slow start with wins against Osceola and Northeast. Three of Tarpon's four losses came against teams that are a combined 20-4.
Northside Christian (5-4):After starting 1-3, the Mustangs have won three of their past four for new coach Raul Hernandez, who won a state title with Miami Christian.
Clearwater (8-2): The Tornadoes' only losses came against Dunedin and Seminole.
Surprising performances
Jeremy Lopez, Northeast:The sophomore is showing he can hit the long ball with a county-best four home runs.
Seminole's offense:The Warhawks' strength is pitching. They can also hit with four players (Jay Taylor, Chris Calhoon, Joe Lamoureux and Bryant Gibson) batting over .400.
Tim Younger, Clearwater: One of the Tornadoes' top players is among the county's best. He's in the top three in batting average and ERA.
Robby Thigpen (above), Shorecrest:The son of former major-league closer Bobby Thigpen is tearing it up on the mound and at the plate.
Zack Olsen, CC Catholic: The junior leads the team in shutouts with three. He gives the Marauders another arm to go along with ace Ryan Weber.
Surprising games
St. Petersburg 5, Alonso 3: The Green Devils shocked the Ravens, whom many considered to be the top team in the bay area.
Northeast 10, American Senior 5: The Vikings started the season by knocking off a team that reached the Class 6A playoffs last season.
Seminole 7, Pendleton School 0: The Warhawks won their own tournament with a shutout against the IMG-affiliated school from Bradenton.
CC Catholic 16, Berkeley Prep 0: Ryan Weber throws a no-hitter as the Marauders cruise in a game against usually strong Berkeley.
Miami Christian 7, NorthsideChristian 6: Okay, the Mustangs lost. But they had a powerful Miami Christian team on the ropes with a late rally.
Softball
Surprising teams
Dixie Hollins (6-2):The Rebels remain an enigma. One day they're beating district leader Osceola by two runs. A week later they lose by 15 to Seminole. Would the real Dixie Hollins please stand up?
Lakewood (3-3):The Spartans started the season on fire with wins in their first three games, including victories over district foes Dixie Hollins and Northeast. Three straight losses since have brought Lakewood temporarily back to earth.
Osceola (5-1): We'll see how good the Warriors really are after today's game with East Lake and Thursday's rematch with Seminole.
St. Petersburg Catholic (8-0):Many looked at this as a rebuilding year for SPC, but the Barons are again the team to beat in Class 3A, District 11.
Tarpon Springs (7-1): After battling to stay above .500 the past few seasons, Tarpon is suddenly the team to beat in Class 5A, District 9.
Five surprising players
Alyssa Bache, Countryside: A freshman, Bache (5-0) threw a no-hitter in just her fifth high school start against county power East Lake.
Daniella Labella, Tarpon Springs:After starting the season batting in the nine hole, Labella, now batting leadoff, is the Spongers' top hitter and the early county home run leader (three).
Jenna Lee, Clearwater Central Catholic: Just a sophomore, Lee leads the county with a .619 batting average.
Tatum McDowell, Pinellas Park:Hitting cleanup for the Patriots, the freshman catcher is second on Pinellas Park and fourth in the county with a .538 batting average.
Chloe Saganowich, St. Petersburg Catholic:Undefeated at 8-0, the sophomore right-hander stepped right in where the graduated Deanna Henriott left off.
Surprising games
Tarpon Springs 10, East Lake 6: Holding a 10-0 lead in the fifth inning, Tarpon came within a couple outs of inflicting the mercy rule on East Lake.
Tarpon Springs 5, PHU 1: Tarpon's victory over four-time defending district champ Palm Harbor proved the Spongers' win over East Lake was no fluke.
St. Petersburg Catholic 13, Tampa Catholic 3:Tampa Catholic was the preseason favorite in 3A-11 until the Barons dismantled the Crusaders in six innings.
Osceola 8, Seminole 6:There were rumblings before the season the Warriors could be a sleeper. The victory over Seminole confirmed it.
Gaither 4, Countryside 2: The way the Cougars had been playing of late, any loss, even to 9-2 Gaither, has to be considered a mild upset.
[Last modified March 5, 2008, 00:22:25]
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by Spell Your Name Right
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03/10/08 01:03 PM
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Who spells Robbie like that anyways
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by baseball
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03/09/08 10:50 AM
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and if he threw 8 innings against northside and only gave up one run he must not be doin that bad..
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by baseball
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03/09/08 10:44 AM
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umm last time i checked the thigpen kid threw a 1 hitter against lakewood and a no hitter against largo who is on the "rising teams" list above. Hes already hit 4 homeruns and leads the county in strikeouts and is hitting above .450.
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by Sem
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03/06/08 12:45 PM
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Seminole has more than 4 players hitting over 400 they have 5. Craig Smith is hitting 430 going into last nights game against NE.
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by baseball
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03/05/08 10:45 PM
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hey could you post the rest of the stats like strikeout leaders and such
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by Robbie
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03/05/08 09:39 PM
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Northside Christian is a rising team in @A baseball, after a slow start they are picking up momentum and should be watched out for, they have a young squad but have great chemistry
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by Robbie
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03/05/08 09:38 PM
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Okay, please give me a break on Robby Thigpen, who has he even pitched against worth looking at? and this monday against northside he was on the losing squad after throwing 8 innings, and if i'm correct had 1 or no hits in probably 7 at bats! thans
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by dixie
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03/05/08 08:24 AM
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I think its great to see Dixie whipping some but GO Dixie show down tonight at Dixie with Palm Harbor come support Dixie Free Beer!!!!!!!!
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