Bears seemingly can't hit broadside of a ball

Coach Gary Buel doesn't know what to do about it other than try to build their confidence.

By BRANT JAMES

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 10, 2000

BROOKSVILLE -- If Gary Buel knew what the problem was, he would try to fix it. The Central High baseball coach is oblivious to why his team's lineup has been so anemic this season and he's just hoping things fix themselves soon.

Central has averaged 5.2 runs per game, but 21 of those came in blowout wins against Crystal River and South Sumter. A lack of run production in the Bears' other six games has had much to do with their 3-5 start.

"We're just not swinging right now," Buel said. "Not the way we're capable of. I don't know if it's pitch selection, or we're just not seeing the ball right now. Usually, you've got one or two guys swinging decent and they switch around."

Buel said besides normal batting practice, he is using mental reinforcement to foil the funk.

"Basically we're trying to build their confidence and tell them it will come around," Buel said. "We tell them they've got to plug away, it's part of the game."

Central's only hot hitter lately has been Phil Steele, who was 3-for-3 with two doubles and a single in a 5-2 loss to Ridgewood (7-4) Wednesday.

Steele's mini-tear raised his batting average to a team-leading .444.

Central's main bright spot continues to be junior pitcher Patrick Ryan, who led the team with a 2-1 record and 1.40 earned-run average entering his start against Pasco on Thursday night. Ryan, who pitched most of last season on the junior varsity, but earned the win in the Bears' district championship last season, had struck out 20 batters and walked just five in 20 innings.

"He's thrown some pretty good games," Buel said. "He throws a fastball, curveball, change, but you'd have to say his curveball is his out pitch."

Buel slotted Ryan for the Pasco game as it was the Bears' first in Class 3A, District 8.

.500 FINALLY: Hernando High took a three-game winning streak into its first-ever game with 3A-8 rival Wesley Chapel (1-8) on Thursday, giving the Leopards (5-5) their first break-even record since 0-0.

"We feel a lot better now," Hernando coach Tim Sims said. "Things are coming together slowly but surely. We're finally starting to get some hits in bunches now."

And for distance. Hernando won its first district game on March 2 when catcher Chris Cole thumped a three-run homer in a 3-1 win over Pasco. Centerfielder Dee Brown's two-run homer against Crystal River the next night tied the game at 5-5 in the seventh and sparked a five-run inning in an 8-7 victory.

Clean-up hitter Steve Blanton homered on Tuesday in a 15-3 rout of South Sumter.

Shortstop Denis Hernandez has been leading the offense from the top of the order with more minuscule hits, but continues to grind toward the school's all-time single-season hit record. With three hits against both Crystal River and South Sumter, Hernandez has 24 in 10 games, and with 15 games left is on pace for 60 hits. That would shatter the late Jerome Brown's record of 49, set in 1982.

Sims has steadfastly contended throughout the first month of the season that his team would hit, so the week-long power binge did not especially hearten him -- not like the first solid start of the season by pitcher Wes Radacky (1-1). He allowed three hits and five walks and struck out seven in a complete-game win over Crystal River.

"Hopefully, that game we can all look back on and say it was a coming out for Wes," Sims said. "The first three or four outings for him were not sharp. It was like he was in a constant state of adjustment."

Sims said Radacky's effort was made possible by following the new team edict for pitchers: be aggressive.

"We told them we want them challenging folks, not nipping and tucking," Sims said. "Being aggressive helps everyone on the team on offense and defense, so you're not standing around."

JUST REWARD: Sims rewarded Greg Shaw for good play and a good work ethic with a start in leftfield Thursday. Shaw, who had just 10 at-bats after five games, pinch-hit against South Sumter and finished with two doubles and three runs batted in.

"He comes to practice on time and keeps his mouth shut, and we're going to put him out there," Sims said. "We're very pleased with his performance, and we want him to keep up the good work."

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