Around the horn

By Times staff

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 16, 2000

Monday's heroes

• DONALD BRICKLE, Arlington Country Day: The junior first baseman went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

• CHRIS PILLSBURY, Arlington Country Day: The senior threw a five-inning two-hit shutout with nine strikeouts.

• MICHAEL GIRO, Miami Brito: The junior rightfielder went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.

• TIM MATTISON, Trinity Christian: The senior (15-0) threw a complete-game two-hitter, striking out five.

• BRANDON JOMINY, Fort Lauderdale Westminster: The senior shortstop went 3-for-4 with three RBI.

• DANE ARTMAN, Fort Lauderdale Westminster: The senior left-hander struck out 10 and allowed just three hits.

Today's finals

Class A, 4 p.m.

• Miami Brito (30-6) vs. Arlington Country Day (25-9)

• THE SKINNY: This is a rematch of last year's Class A title game, which Brito won 7-5. Brito is expected to start Denny Hernandez, who is 7-2 with a 0.98 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 51 innings. Arlington likely will start Josh Deel or Jeremy Simmons, who have each thrown about 50 innings and have ERAs under 2.00. Brito, ranked No. 1 in the state and in the top 20 of some national polls, again is favored.

Class 2A, 7 p.m.

• Fort Lauderdale Westminster (27-7) vs. Jacksonville Trinity Christian (29-5)

• THE SKINNY: Westminster is bidding for back-to-back state titles, while Trinity is going for its first state title. Westminster most likely will start senior Scot Drucker (8-2 with a 1.37 ERA). Should Drucker get in any trouble, the Lions can turn to senior Ryan Gitzen (4-0 with a 1.30 ERA). Trinity coach Bobby Forsyth said he is starting Justin Fisher (6-0 with a 3.26 ERA).

Getting to Legends Field

From Interstate 275 west of downtown Tampa: Exit northbound on Dale Mabry Highway and travel a couple of miles. Legends Field is on Dale Mabry directly across from Raymond James Stadium.

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