North Suncoast baseball: State of the season so far

By Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
Published March 8, 2008

Roughly a month into the 2008 prep baseball season, we've learned how well the local fields take on water. Now we find out how area pitching staffs take on a deluge of extra innings. The recent series of rainouts (including Friday's) could force teams to cram three games in a week from this point on, making pitching depth even more precious than normal. And is there really a better gauge of a team's postseason hopes than its arm count? With that in mind, we take a look - in meteorological terms - at the teams with the brightest playoff forecasts.

Clear and bright

Pasco (7-1): No team, with the possible exception of Land O'Lakes, is better equipped to handle a three-game week than the Pirates. Four players have already thrown at least nine innings each, and none has an ERA more than 1.27. Coach Ricky Giles has power throughout his batting order, as evidenced by the fact No. 9 hitter Josh Johnson has three home runs.

Land O'Lakes (6-1): In 30 innings, left-hander Trey Dahl and right-hander Matt Fuglesang have combined to allow one earned run. In a pinch, there's promising sophomore Austin Aubuchon (five IP, two hits) as well. So far, the Gators are hitting .281 as a team with only two homers, but one has to think the bats will heat up with the weather.

Bishop McLaughlin (6-1): The Hurricanes validated themselves in February with wins against traditional powers St. Petersburg Catholic and Berkeley Prep. Coach Nick Rodriguez's club possesses ample arms - four pitchers have made starts - and offensive potency (17 doubles). As members of a four-team district (2A-9), the Hurricanes need only one tournament victory to reach the playoffs. Barring a fluke, that should be no problem.
Partly sunny

Nature Coast (5-2): Our pick to earn the second playoff spot in Class 4A, District 8 behind Pasco. Pitchers Brandon Derespiris (12 IP, 1.75 ERA), Joe Silvestri (13 IP, 1.62 ERA) and Travis Murray (16 IP, 2.63 ERA) have performed solidly so far, and the team is batting a collective .324. Granted, the Sharks got knocked around in losses to Hernando and Pasco, but we see their pitching depth paying off in the long term.

Wesley Chapel (3-3): With annual district heavyweight Ridgewood in a rebuilding phase, the second playoff spot in 5A-7 behind Land O'Lakes is anyone's to grasp. We like the Wildcats, who earned a pivotal 8-6 win against district opponent River Ridge this week. So far, Wesley Chapel hasn't flexed any muscle at the plate, and its pitching won't frighten anyone, but the team has a veteran coach in Chuck Yingling, who won a pair of state titles at Tampa Catholic.

Some cloud cover

Zephyrhills (4-3): The Bulldogs, losers of three in a row, get a pass because their lineup was recently ravaged by the flu. Still, their outfield has proven a liability, and their hitting has been average at best. Pitching depth - they could have four quality arms when Austin Adams is cleared - will give them a chance at districts, but inconsistency elsewhere could be their downfall.

Mitchell (3-4): If the Mustangs were a 5A team, we'd like their playoff chances. As it stands, they're mired in tough Class 6A, District 7 (see Alonso, Gaither, Sickles). Mitchell has lost to its three Hillsborough County district rivals and likely will need at least two district tournament upsets to make the playoffs.

Springstead (7-2): The Eagles have been the feel-good story of the year so far. Question is, can they sustain their success? If they can, they could still struggle to emerge from a loaded district that includes Nature Coast and Pasco, the teams that have accounted for Springstead's two losses.

Hernando (4-3): If Springstead is the area's feel-good story, Hernando - winner of four in a row - is feel-good story 1A. The Leopards have proven they can beat anyone on a given night. We're just not totally sold on their pitching depth outside Morgan Rogers (3-0, 2.13 ERA) or their offense. Sluggers George Fribley and Andrew McNeal have combined for five homers and 16 RBIs. The rest of the team has totaled zero and seven, respectively.

[Last modified March 7, 2008, 22:53:53]