Make It Two In A Row By JIM REDMILEHernando Today correspondent Published: Apr 26, 2008
SPRING HILL – The Nature Coast Sharks (20-5) met the Zephyrhills Bulldogs (15-12) in a semifinal match-up Thursday night at Springstead to decide who would be moving on to Friday's Class 4A, District 8 championship game.
In a pitcher's duel, with only three hits for each team, the Sharks were able to capitalize, scoring one run in the second and fourth innings, giving them a 2-0 edge, and allowing them to meet defending champion Pasco on Friday.
Nature Coast right-hander Joey Silvestri went the distance throwing 126 pitches, with 11 strikeouts and five walks.
“Joe did fabulous tonight,” said Shark Head Coach Bob Shepard. “These seniors stepped up all year. He wanted it bad tonight, he went out and got it. Nothing fazed him. He kept his composure, he attacked on the mound. He did a great job. We did what we had to do to win a tough ball game.”
But it wasn't all smooth sailing.
Although Silvestri struck out three in the first inning, his defense committed two errors. Then in the second inning, with two outs, he walked two batters, but eventually got the final ground out.
“I did not come into this game thinking I was going to strike out 11 people,” said Silvestri. “I was counting on my defense. I got a little nervous in the first inning, with two bad hops, but they told me they got it, so I trusted them and we got a (W).
“I didn't have my curveball working early on,” Silvestri continued. “I think I was slowing down my arm motion. Travis (Murray) and I had a talk in the dugout, and he said to just throw it like my fastball and just break it off at the end.
“I normally don't walk people, I get upset when I walk people,” he mused. “We just had a talk and I calmed down.”
When asked, Coach Shepard didn't have an opinion about who he'd like to face in the final.
“It doesn't matter to me to be honest with you,” insisted Shepard. “We've had tough games with Springstead, and I've got a lot of respect for Frank (Vitale).
“Pasco, obviously they're the champs, and we'd like to have another shot at them. They beat us last year. Right now, I'm just happy to be in the game. It really doesn't matter, we have another opportunity to get it done.”
Nature Coast 2, Zephyrhills 0
123 456 7 R H E
ZHS 000 010 0 -- 0 3 1
NCT 010 100 - -- 2 3 3
ZHS – Adams and Debyah.
NCT – Silvestri and Murray.
W - Silvestri (5-0). L – Adams (1-4).
2B - Adams (ZHS); Adams (NCT).
Records - Zephyrhills (15-12), Nature Coast (20-5).
