'A Game Of Inches' By JIM REDMILEHernando Today correspondent Published: Apr 27, 2008
SPRING HILL – In a seven-inning heartbreaker, the defending champion Dade City-Pasco Pirates defeated host Springstead, 5-4, advancing them to the final where they faced the Nature Coast Sharks for the second year in a row in the Class 4A, District 8 final played Friday night.
“It was a breath-taker,” said Pasco Head Coach Ricky Giles. “At one time, I wondered if it was going to ever happen. Hats off to them, they played a great ballgame. The coach (SHS Head Coach Frank Vitale) did a great job coaching. Their kids executed when they needed to.
“You know, the ball just rolled our way,” Giles continued. “I wonder if I can get used to something like that. I don’t think I can. It was tight, but the kids played well though.”
Giles went on. “We had two missed plays in the middle, then I’m wondering what’s going on. Aaron (Brandt) did a great job. Jacob (Schrader) hit the ball very well tonight.
“These kids played for me. They made boo-boos here and there. It could have easily been their (Springstead’s) game.”
No score early
Scoreless through three, Eagle starting pitcher Bryan Nicolini started the top of the fourth with a base hit. James Adams then singled. Nicolini scored on a Mitch Jacobs sacrifice fly to center field to take the lead.
But the Pirates would answer with two of their own when Pirate pitcher Aaron Brandt helped himself with a base knock and ended up on third after a wild pitch and a passed ball.
Josh Johnson walked and then stole a base setting up catcher Jorge Jaramillo, who worked a two-and-two count, fouling off numerous times until he lined one over first base and into the right-field corner, scoring both runners, 2-1 Pirates.
With two outs in the top of the fifth, Springstead’s ninth batter, James Desmond, drew a walk. Tom Dwyer, sick with the flu, running a fever and could barely speak, crushed a first-pitch homer over left-center field, 3-2 Eagles.
“He left a change–up a little bit high,” said Dwyer. “I stayed back, turned my hips, and it just went.”
Nicolini, who pitched 6 1/3 innings giving up eight hits, with one strikeout and two walks, gave the ball up to Chris Ambrosio, who inherited two base runners after a single and an intentional walk.
Pasco second baseman Thomas Harris laid down a perfect bunt for an infield single, loading the bases for Schrader, who would break the Eagles’ back with a triple to the center-field wall, scoring three and making the score 5-3.
Springstead, however, would get one more chance and made a valiant effort to tie the game with a walk, a hit and two errors by Pasco in the top of the seventh. But in the end, it could only manage one run.
“I was proud of the way they played,” said Vitale. “They battled right to the end. With a little break here and there, we would have won the game.
“They saved their best for last. I thought this was the best game we played all year long against a very, very good team, one of the top teams in the state. We battled them, and that’s what I wanted.
“I wanted these guys to remember it,” continued Vitale. “Some of the older guys will always remember this game, even 20, 25 years from now. And I want the underclassmen to understand that this is what it’s all about.
“It’s a game of inches,” Vitale smiled. “Just a great high school game.”
Pasco 5, Springstead 4
123 456 7 R H E
SPG 000 120 1 -- 4 6 0
PAS 000 203 X -- 5 10 2
SPG – Nicolini and Ambrosio. Ambrosio (6) and Clark.
PAS – Brandt and Jaramillo.
W - Brandt. L - Ambrosio.
3B - Schrader (PAS).
HR – Dwyer (SPG).
Records – Springstead (16-11), Pasco (22-5).
