Baseball: Calhoon's HR late lift for Seminole

The Vikings tie it in the 7th, then Warhawks get a boost from a senior.

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Published March 6, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Seminole, faltering and seemingly fading, regrouped and defeated Northeast 7-6, when Chris Calhoon smashed a homer in the eighth inning Wednesday.

Calhoon's drive, over the wall in right-centerfield, helped the Warhawks 9-0 keep their perfect record intact.

"He's a senior, and he stepped up with the big hit," Seminole coach Greg Olsen said.

The Warhawks seemed to be in control after scoring four in the fifth to go up 6-3. Jay Taylor, who was serving as the designated hitter after straining his hamstring this week, had two key singles in the third and fifth innings.

But the Vikings (6-3) rallied, scoring a run each in the fifth, sixth and seventh to tie the game. The big hits came from Jake Wilder and Nick Gaines, who each had home runs. Gaines' homer came in the seventh to send the game into extra innings.

That's when Calhoon led off with his solo shot.

"It's always a battle when we play Northeast," Olsen said. "We knew that going into the game. They're an extremely well-coached team."

Tim Lamoureux, who came on in relief of Patrick Ecklebarger, struck out the side in the eighth.

"We weren't scared at all playing Seminole," coach Eric Wagman said. "We came expecting to win. We'll expect the same thing the next time we see them."

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4169.

Seminole 7 Northeast 6

8 INNINGS

[Last modified March 6, 2008, 00:44:19]