Nature Coast adjusts, sees results in shutout

Dropped in batting order, Nature Coast junior Mike Adams lifts team to 11-0 rout of Hernando.

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published March 12, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - He tweaked his on-deck superstition, altered his swing mechanics and accepted a demotion in the batting order.

Tuesday night, in a district game his team had to have, Nature Coast junior Mike Adams watched those adjustments pay staggering dividends.

Dropped from fifth to eighth in the Sharks' order, Adams went 3-for-3 with two doubles and six RBIs to lift his team to a five-inning, 11-0 rout of Hernando (4-4, 4-3), keeping it tied with Springstead for second place in the Class 4A, District 8 standings.

Adams' three hits were only two shy of his season hit total entering the game, which came six nights after the Leopards homered twice in a 6-5 victory against the Sharks (6-2, 5-2).

"I moved him down to give him a chance to see some better pitches maybe," Nature Coast coach Bob Shepard said. "And he responded."

The response was similar throughout the Sharks' lineup.

No. 9 hitter Anthony DeMeo hit a two-run home run to leftfield, third baseman Joe Silvestri emerged from an 0-for-8 slump with two singles, and starter Brandon Derespiris tossed a three-hitter as catcher Travis Murray - also the staff ace - called all the pitches.

"He was hitting his spots," said Murray, who called for a succession of inside fastballs and splitters. "I barely called any curveballs."

Adams, hitting .238 entering the game, said he changed one of the two bats he swings in the on-deck circle before each plate appearance, and took to heart his dad's suggestion that he was pulling out of his stance prematurely.

"I'm not really surprised (by the performance). I hit over 100 balls a day at least," Adams said. "I practice hard, and so far this season it just hadn't been working for me. ... It's about time."

Nature Coast 11, Hernando 0

[Last modified March 11, 2008, 23:57:57]