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Baseball: Springstead Keeps 4A-8 Battle Interesting

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By RICK HARMON

Tribune correspondent

Published: April 1, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - After a 2-6 start, Springstead coach Frank Vitale it would have been easy to doubt this year's Eagles squad. But he didn't and his players have responded by winning eight of their last 11. And after Tuesday's 10-0, five inning shutout at Zephyrhills, the Eagles are in a tie for second place in the always-changing Class 4A-District 8 standings.

"We're playing really good baseball," Vitale said. "We're getting good pitching and timely hitting and our defense has been playing really well too."

Springstead (11-7, 9-4 4A-8) beat district leader Pasco 6-5 on March 24 and held the Pirates to no home runs – the first time that had happen this year. On Tuesday, the Eagles took advantage of some costly Zephyrhills errors with timely hitting.

The Eagles pounded out 12 hits, only one for extra bases, and sent 13 men to the plate in the top of the fifth, scoring 8 runs on 7 hits. Mike Speakman had the big hit in the inning, a bases-loaded double with two outs and the Eagles in front 5-0. Sean Dicesare went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Derek Wohlfiel had 2 hits and 3 RBI. Winning pitcher Patrick Dwyer and Julian Perez also had 2 hits each.

As for Zephyrhills (11-6, 10-4), its bats were once again non-existent. The Bulldogs managed only 4 hits off Dwyer (2-2) and only had two runners reach third base.

"If we don't swing the bat, it's not going to be much of a district [tournament]," said Zephyrhills coach Bruce Cimorelli, " It will be one and go home, I guess. We had bases loaded and 3-4-5 coming up and don't get it done. We had a big win Friday night [8-2 at Sunlake in 9 innings] and we controlled our own destiny in the district. I can't figure this out what so ever. This is probably the worst we've played this year."

Dwyer struggled with control early as he threw 66 pitches in the first three innings and faced the Bulldogs Tyler Guy with the bases loaded and none out in the bottom of the third. But he got Guy and cleanup hitter Cole Miragula to strike out and Josh Debyah to foul out to first to end the threat.

"[Dwyer] struggled a little early with his change-up," Vitale said. "They had bases loaded in the third inning with none out and he got a big strikeout on Tyler Guy, who the last time we played them, we were up 2-0 and he hit a grand slam. I think the team got a little uplift when we got that strikeout."

The Eagles have district games remaining with Hudson (3-10) on Friday, Wiregrass Ranch (7-6) on April 14 and Hernando (2-12) on April 17. They already have wins against all three.

"The district is wide open," Vitale said. "Everybody has a good pitcher and we're just jockeying for position right now."

Springstead 200 08 — 10 12 1
Zephyrhills 000 00 — 0 4 3

W — Dwyer (2-2). L — Miragula (4-1). 2B — Speakman (S); Mitchell (Z). Records — S 11-7, Z 11-6.

Correspondent Rick Harmon can be reached at tampabaystringer@gmail.com.

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