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Saladino Tournament: Lowe lifts Plant

By ADAM ADKINS

aadkins@tampatrib.com

Published: April 9, 2009

BRANDON - Plant senior Jake Lowe called his performance in Wednesday's quarterfinals of the 29th annual Saladino Tournament the best since he was 10 years old.

It was certainly one that was worth the wait.

Lowe scattered four hits and struck out 10 in a complete game, and his double in the fifth brought home both runs in a 2-0 victory over defending champion Brandon.

It was the third consecutive win by shutout for the Panthers, whose tourney hopes were in doubt after dropping their opening game to Plant City.

"I'm not going to lie. After that game, I said to a few of my teammates, 'Saladino: It never fails,'" said Lowe, referring to the Panthers' misfortunes the past few years. "It wasn't looking good. But Mychal Givens came out and threw a shutout against Durant, and Sergio Pita came out and threw a shutout over Riverview, and the other teams gave up more runs. Here we are."

Lowe allowed a single in each of the first three innings (two to Spencer Dewey), but yielded just one - a double to Chris Toney that the right fielder lost in the sun - through the final four. He allowed two hitters to reach base in an inning only once, that happening after Plant committed its only error.

"I was just trying to get ahead and let my sinker work, let my defense play in the field," Lowe said. "It's what I basically always try to do, because that's the kind of pitcher I am."

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Saladino Tournament: Lowe lifts Plant