REGIONAL BASEBALL

By Compiled by SCOTT PURKS

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 30, 2000

CLASS 6A

Region 2: Sarasota Riverview (15-15) at Gaither (21-3); Bloomingdale (5-18) at Venice (23-6).

THE SKINNY: Gaither, with its combination of pitching and hitting, has one of the area's best shots at making the final four. If the Cowboys play to their ability on Tuesday, they should have little trouble advancing. Bloomingdale, meanwhile, may be the best 5-18 team in the state. The Bulls simply haven't gotten a break this season. No. 4 ranked Venice, which lost 6-4 in last season's Class 5A state final to Merritt Island, better not take Bloomingdale lightly.

CLASS 5A

Region 2: Durant (18-8) at Kissimmee Osceola (NA)

Region 3: East Lake (19-10) at Brandon (21-2); Plant (20-7) at Land O'Lakes (24-4).

THE SKINNY: Brandon and Plant are in one of the state's toughest brackets, and Tuesday, both get a difficult task. Land O'Lakes is loaded with pitching and hitting while East Lake, despite allowing 10 runs in Friday's 5A-10 final loss to Land O'Lakes, has some great pitching of its own. Land O'Lakes is ranked third in the state while Plant is unranked. The Panthers, however, have a "murderer's row" lineup. If the Panthers' bats heat up, watch out. Durant will try to bounce back after a disappointing 10-6 loss to Lakeland Jenkins in the 5A-8 final.

CLASS 4A

Region 3: Lakewood (16-11) at Jesuit (16-13); Armwood (14-11) at Dunedin (24-4); Naples Barron Collier (14-16) at Riverview (15-10).

THE SKINNY: Jesuit struggled this season like few times in its history. But the Tigers still managed to win their sixth consecutive district title. They also appear to be playing much better than earlier in the season. Armwood is facing third-ranked Dunedin, but the Hawks still have a legitimate chance with Mike Pete on the mound. Pete (9-3, 1.03 ERA) has averaged two strikeouts an inning, and he struck out 19 in a game against Bloomingdale earlier this season. Riverview, in only its second year of existence, won its first district baseball title Friday and now has a legitimate shot at winning its first regional game.

CLASS 3A

Region 3: Jefferson (12-13) at Bartow (16-11).

THE SKINNY: The Dragons have struggled, but don't count them out. Jefferson proved it can be dangerous as it made the semifinals of the Steve Georgiadis Tournament in Seminole. Jefferson didn't play too well in its 10-5 loss to Clearwater Central Catholic in the 3A-9 final, so the Dragons are due for a better showing.

CLASS 2A

Region 3: Berkeley Prep (17-12) at Bradenton Lakewood Ranch (15-14).

THE SKINNY: Berkeley struggled in an 8-1 loss to No. 6 ranked Northside Christian in the district final. But Lakewood Ranch is not Northside. Look for the Bucs, led by catcher Kris Courier (.423 average, 35 RBI, 7 home runs), to advance to the regional semifinals.

CLASS A

Region 3: Tampa Baptist (11-9) at Winter Haven All Saints (15-10), 4 p.m.; Lakeland Evangel Christian (NA) at Seminole Presbyterian (20-6).

THE SKINNY: Adam Rogers, Adam Rogers, Adam Rogers. Seminole Presbyterian's Adam Rogers is hitting .740 for the season. That's right, .740. He also has a 0.98 ERA. But this is not to say Rogers is the only reason the Lancers are ranked No. 3 in Class A. The Lancers also have Josh Coney, Tommy Salemy and Chris Phethean, all of whom are hitting above .450. These statistics do not bode well for visiting Lakeland Evangel Christian, which no doubt will get beat handily Tuesday. Tampa Baptist lost 13-3 to the Lancers in Friday's A-10 final, but it might have a chance to beat All Saints.

All games at 7:30 on Tuesday unless otherwise noted.

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