One more win would be legendary for Mustangs

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 9, 2000

The motto is on the cover of the Northside Christian media guide and on the players' practice T-shirts: "Working towards LEGENDS status." It's a coy reference to Legends Field in Tampa, where the state tournament is held. It's also about to change from a motto to a reality. Northside Christian has worked its way to the region final. The Mustangs are one game away from the state final four and "Legends" status.

At 7:30 p.m. today, No. 7-ranked Northside Christian (24-7) will play a familiar opponent, district rival Berkeley Prep (19-13), in the Class 2A, Region 3 final. The Mustangs have won two of three games from the Buccaneers this season, including an 8-1 win for the district title. The winner today will play Monday, May 15, against the winner of Miami Northwest Christian (25-5) vs. Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (25-7) in a state semifinal.

"I'm just trying to keep my nerves under control," said Northside Christian coach Darrell Don. "I've been sitting around all weekend waiting to play. I just want to play."

Don is taking little comfort in knowing his opponent well or having beaten Berkeley Prep soundly in their last meeting.

"They scare me," said Don, who has led Northside Christian to its second region final in school history. "You play someone over and over and you know what they're capable of. They can beat us."

Senior Rob McNeal (7-2, 2.15 ERA, 67 strikeouts, 58 2/3 innings), who pitched the region quarterfinal win over Bradenton Christian, will start for Northside Christian. Don has given McNeal the ball for most of the Mustangs' big games the past two years.

Matt Winn (5-3, 2.59 ERA) will start for Berkeley.

Freshman Todd Redmond (7-2, 1.92 ERA), who went six strong innings against Berkeley Prep in their last meeting, and sophomore Andy Park (4-1, 1.15 ERA) are ready in relief for the Mustangs.

Mustangs freshman centerfielder Lastings Milledge returned to the lineup last game after a two-game absence. Milledge, who leads Northside in batting (.600), extra-base hits (27) and RBI (50), was suspended for two games after being ejected from the 14-12 district semifinal win over St. Petersburg Catholic for not sliding into third base and running into the third baseman.

"Without Lastings, the team stepped up and hit the ball, but obviously we're glad to have him back in the lineup," Don said.

Since the shoddy win -- Northside committed eight errors against SPC -- the Mustangs have allowed just five runs in three games -- wins over Berkeley Prep, Bradenton Christian (12-2) and Orlando First Academy (9-2).

"The last three games we've gotten good defense and we're hitting the ball, but the pitching's been the key," Don said. "We're really excited. I figure we're going to have a packed house."

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