Perfect Harmony? By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com Published: Apr 29, 2008
Appropriately, a school named Harmony has brought balance to Class 4A, Region II.
The Longhorns pulled off quite possibly the biggest upset in the state, taking down defending state champion and No. 1 ranked Orlando-Bishop Moore Catholic in the District 7 semifinals.
Somehow, the four-time defending region champion Hornets didn't earn a regional berth that previously felt like an annual birth rite. That hasn't happened since 1994.
Suddenly, the region seems full of new possibilities for every team, including 4A-8 runner-up Nature Coast. The Sharks (20-6) travel to Harmony (17-7) for tonight's quarterfinal at 7 p.m.
“I think its wide open now,” Nature Coast Head Coach Bob Shepard said. “If you get on a roll, I think you can make a serious run. The quality of competition, it's going to be real good baseball.”
The Sharks saw their first regional action last year, losing at Bishop Moore in a shockingly competitive contest, 8-4.
On Friday night at Springstead High, Nature Coast fell to eighth-ranked Dade City-Pasco High in the district final for the second year in a row, 3-1.
Still, that close performance showed the Sharks they could hang with some of the state's elite programs.
“We weren't looking past Pasco,” Shepard said. “We just wanted to play real well in the title game. We know we didn't play real well last time (an 8-1 regular-season loss at Pasco). We wanted to come out and battle and they did.
“We believe we can compete with anybody. It takes quality pitching this time of year. I'm very confident in the pitchers we have. I like our chances. We've just got to come out and hit the ball. We haven't found that consistency yet.”
Shepard indicated he would likely start senior right-hander Travis Murray on the mound, though he had yet to receive any sort of scouting information on Harmony.
Murray, the 2007 Hernando Today Player of the Year and a third-team all-state selection, represents a handful of key seniors trying to keep their final prep season alive.
That includes shortstop Brandon DeRespiris, who could also pitch today having not thrown in districts, third baseman/pitcher Joe Silvestri and second baseman Kenny Treverton, a four-year varsity player.
“I really believe they want to see how far they can go,” Shepard said. “I don't gauge them to be satisfied. I think they still have a lot to prove. It's just getting out there and making plays and not being anxious. If you play the game the way you know how to play it, play it 110 percent, usually you're successful.
“I think they're extremely ready for this. They want the chance to prove themselves.”
HCA hosts Lighthouse Christian
At 4:30 p.m., Hernando Christian Academy (15-9) will host Deltona-Lighthouse Christian (10-10) in a Class 1A, Region II quarterfinal.
The Lions are the 1A-6 champs, making the fourth regional appearance in the program's fifth year of Florida High School Athletic Association eligibility. This is the second time HCA has hosted a regional game.
Lighthouse Christian, the 1A-5 runner-up, will play the first regional contest in team history.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Class 1A, Region II quarterfinal
WHO: Deltona-Lighthouse Christian Academy Crusaders (10-10, 1A-5 runners-up) at Hernando Christian Academy Lions (15-9, 1A-6 champions).
WHEN: 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: HCA baseball field.
AT STAKE: Spot in Friday’s regional semifinal versus the winner of Deltona-Trinity Christian/Ocala-Shores Christian.
WHAT: Class 4A, Region II quarterfinal
WHO: Nature Coast Technical Sharks (20-6, 4A-8 runners-up) at Harmony Longhorns (17-7, 4A-7 champions).
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Harmony baseball field.
AT STAKE: Spot in Friday’s regional semifinal versus the winner of Pasco/St. Cloud.
DIRECTIONS: Take State Road 50 east to Florida Turnpike. Take exit 240/Kissimmee Park Road toward St. Cloud. Turn right on Old Canoe Creek Road. Turn right on Canoe Creek Road. Bear left on Deer Run Road. Turn right on Hickory Tree Road. Bear right on E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (U.S. Highway 192). Turn right on Arthur J. Gallagher Boulevard. The school is located at 3601 Arthur J. Gallagher Blvd.
