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By JOHN C. COTEY, BRANT JAMES and SCOTT PURKS
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 15, 2001
Monday's heroes
Brooks, King's: The senior allowed just one hit, struck out five and pitched his Lions into their first state final since 1997. Luis Raffan, Miami Archbishop Carroll: The junior shortstop went 2-for-2 and hit the decisive two-run triple in the fourth inning as the Bulldogs rallied to win 4-3.
Jacksonville Arlington Country Day's lineup: All aboard -- every starter scored in the second inning as the Apaches roll.
"But I'm not superstitious." -- GATOR BROOKS, West Palm Beach King's Academy lefty after revealing he doesn't wear the new team hat, instead opting for the older one "that smells," and he didn't shine his shoes as his coach requested because he didn't want to "change anything."
Carroll coach Lazaro Llanes has been there, done that when it comes to baseball titles. He won a national title in 1992 as an assistant coach with the Miami Westminster Christian team that featured Alex Rodriguez.
The gaudy bauble on his right hand is a memento he is brandishing this week.
"I don't like wearing it," Llanes said of the large gold ring. "This is a whole different situation, and we want our own ring.
"I brought this along to show them that's what they can earn and what it takes. I never promised them we were going to states because that would be a dumb promise to make. But I did tell them I knew what it takes to get here."
The total attendance Monday was 2,838. For the morning session, 1,128 attended. Thanks to a big crowd for hometown Seminole Presbyterian, the night session drew 1,710.
All Saints' Chris Pearce broke the state record for career steals this season and swiped three more in his team's loss to finish with 182.
Of the 12 teams that made the state final last year, only one returned -- Country Day, the Class A state champion. The Apaches will get a chance to defend their title at 4 p.m today.
7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K -- Even better when you consider Carroll's Mitch Del Castillo gave up four hits and no runs after the first inning as his team rallied to erase 3-0 deficit.
2. Ryan (Justin, Daytona Beach Seabreeze): Just two strikeouts
3. Pillsbury (George, Country Day): Reportedly giggles when his tummy is tickled.
4. Costello (Jason, Clearwater): Who's on first? Not this guy, who pitches for the Tornadoes.
5. Rodriguez (Alex, Hialeah): Made about $21-million less this year than that other A-Rod.
6. Elias (Ryan, Carroll): And no stats?
7. Ali (Asgar, Miami Gulliver Prep): Rival of Damon "Sonny" Lister of Seminole ... okay, so that's a bit of a reach.
8. Story (Rodney, Tate): At 6 feet 3, almost as tall as one.
9. Cupp (Bobby, Seminole Presbyterian): Wears one when he plays catcher.
10. Schmidt (Mike, Seminole Presbyterian): First baseman is on the wrong side of the diamond.
TICKETS: $6 per two-game session and available at the gate.
-- Compiled by John C. Cotey, Brant James and Scott Purks.