Scores And Recaps From Thursday's Action in Hillsborough County
BASEBALL
Durant 8, Jefferson 0
Looking to shake off a sluggish start at the plate to begin the season where Durant had plated just 5 runs total in its previous four games, the Cougars traveled cross-county to take on the previously unbeaten Jefferson Dragons.
Durant’s offense finally got going, pounding out 12 hits and defeating the Dragons 8-0, Thursday night.
The start was a meeting of top arms as Durant senior, lefty Jonah Scolaro and Jefferson junior, right-hander Robby Martin (both Florida State commits) were each tabbed to start, although both pitchers were set for light duty with the week-long Saladino Tournament set to begin Saturday.
Things got out of control for Martin and the Dragons quickly.
The ever-faithful Steven Witchoskey walked to lead off the second for Durant (3-3), then moved to second base on an error, to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a balk. The Cougars added to the total as Braden Runey singled to center field to drive in a run, followed by an RBI single from Jarred Mejia, and an RBI sac fly from Scolaro.
Scolaro worked fast on the mound striking out six in his three innings of work to earn the win and improve to 1-1 on the season.
Maybe no Cougar hitter was looking for things to pick up at the plate more than junior Hayden Coglianese (3-for-4), who was hitless in his first 14 at-bats this season.
Coglianese started the fifth off with a single up the middle, followed by a single from Alex Molinelli, an RBI double by Witchoskey, a two-run triple by Runey, and an RBI sac fly by Matthew Byars.
“It was a good day for the whole family,” Coglianese said. “We had a good day at the plate, made things happen … we made them make plays and it worked out for us.”
The Cougars got solid relief pitching from Tom Woodmansee (2 ip, 2 K), Trey Brown (1 ip, fielded position to start a 1-6-3 double-play), and finally Wyatt Hickey (1 ip, 2 K).
Scolaro and Reed Toney doubled in the win, while Luke Cadwallader go a pinch-hit single.
Andrew Mathis, Jack Rodriguez and Jordan Perez all had hits for Jefferson (5-1) - Jarrett Guthrie
Lennard 4, Tampa Bay Tech 3
Eli Wilborn came through with an RBI single to lead Lennard over TBT.
Coach Kennedy Duran said, "GREAT team win, great pitching By Edward Tarrant and Victor Shilling. TIMELY hitting by Wilborn, Keith Harden, Xavier Montañez and Bubba Herrick ."
Leto 4, King 0
Leto improves to 5-2 and 3-1 in Class 7A-8 with a shutout win over the Lions. Jakob Ryley worked all seven innings striking out four, while allowing just two hits. Andreas Morales got things started offensively driving in the Falcons first run in the fifth, Jose Martinez followed with a two-run single, and Brandon Parry tripled in a run in the sixth. King got hits from Anthony Azpeitia and Danny Terp.
Wharton 6, Freedom 2
Clayton Coringrato hit his first home run of the season and Drew Ehrhard went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI in the Wharton (4-2) win. Senior Austin Appel earned the win allowing two runs across six innings, with eight strikeouts.
Brandon 1, Braden River 0
Junior righty BJ Carter came up big for Brandon (5-1) as the Eagles picked up a 1-0 win at home over district opponent Braden River. Carter went the distance allowing just two hits, while striking out seven. Jermaine White’s RBI sac fly in the sixth got Carter all he would need for the win.
Hillsborough 4, Steinbrenner 3
Jarrod Cande got things started for Hillsborough with a homer to center in the first. Cande also earned the save, sealing the win for Patrick Puentes who struck out six in three innings of work. Nick Romano went 3-for-4 with an RBI double. Noah Luke doubled in a pair of runs for Steinbrenner.
Plant 3, Robinson 2
Plant (6-1) tallied just five hits, including an RBI single from AJ Hubbard. However, they got solid pitching from Bobby Gough (who got his first start and win for the Panthers), and Leo Oshinski earned his first save of the year.
Gaither 16, Chamberlain 1 (5 innings)
Cowboys sophomore Chipper Holland hit his 3rd triple of the season in a 3-for-3, 3 RBI night, also adding a double in a district win for Gaither (5-1). Danny Gutcher was 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Jose Cadenas went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, a double and scored four times.
Strawberry Crest 5, Wiregrass Ranch 4
Strawberry Crest (6-0) remains the last Hillsborough County unbeaten as the Chargers scraped out a 5-4 win. Alex Marshall came through with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to plate the decider. Damien Torres pitched six solid innings for Strawberry Crest allowing just one earned run, and Brent May earned the save. Antonio Mussenden had a pair of hits in the win.
Armwood 14, Blake 11
The Hawks won a slugfest as Armwood (2-5) got RBIs from nine different hitters. Senior David Rodrigues was 3-for-3, with a pair of runs scored and an RBI, while Trevor Finan (two runs, RBI), Jacob Cordell (double, RBI) and Yadiel Cordova (two runs) each recorded two hits for the Hawks. Elijah West had a 2-run home run for Blake (1-5).
Alonso 9, Palm Harbor 1
Jordan Butler went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and triple, while driving in a run, while also striking out 10 in four innings of work on the mound. Seniors Jose Ciccarello and Christian German each had three hits in the Ravens win.
Riverview 3, Bloomingdale 2
Lakeland Christian 6, Tampa Prep 5
East Bay 3, Plant City 0
Sickles 11, Spoto 0 (5 innings)
Sarasota Riverview 3, Newsome 1
Clearwater Central Catholic 3, Brooks DeBartolo 1
SOFTBALL
Berkeley Prep 12, Brooks DeBartolo 2 (6 innings)
Junior Kristina Foreman was 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBI to lead Berkeley Prep (3-5) to a mercy-rule, district win. Marissa Maddalon went 3-for-4, driving in three, while Katie Hoover and Elyssa Wilder each had two doubles in the Buccaneers win. Hoover also struck out seven to earn the win on the mound.
Newsome 16, Sarasota Riverview 6 (6 innings)
Wolves freshman Jada Smallwood had a triple and a home run, driving in three and scoring four times for Newsome. Maggie Trgo and Lindsey harper each scored three times, while Leah Zatkiewicz, Morgan Waltral and Mary Beth Feldman each drove in two.
Plant City 3, East Bay 0
Plant City senior Edmilly Molina went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI, while pitcher Ashley Blessin struck out nine, allowing just one hit.
Strawberry Crest 13, Wiregrass Ranch 0
Kacey Fultz tossed a 1-hit shutout as the Chargers cruised to a big win. Celia Higgins scored the decider after being hit by a pitch and eventually scoring on a wild pitch in the first inning. Higgins added a two-run double in the second. Taylor Finney had an RBI triple as well in the win.
Robinson 4, Plant 0
Robinson got its first win over South Tampa rival Plant since 1984. Alexis Smith was 2-for-4 and scored the eventual game winner in the first, and Tara White also had two hits, scored one and drove in one. The Lady Knights defense backed up pitcher Cassidy Renninger, who struck out one, and allowed one hit, as Robinson committed no errors.
Leto 15, King 0
Freedom 5, Wharton 3
Steinbrenner 16, Hillsborough 3
Riverview 15, Bloomingdale 6
Chamberlain 10, Gaither 0
Durant 11, Jefferson 0
Palm Harbor 8, Alonso 0