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Saladino final: Gaither-Alonso

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By ADAM ADKINS

aadkins@tampatrib.com

Published: April 9, 2009

BRANDON - Odd years in the Saladino Tournament this decade have been very good for the Gaither Cowboys.

Tonight, they'll get a chance to make 2009 a special one.

Gaither earned a spot in the 29th annual Saladino Tournament championship game with a 6-3 victory over Armwood on Thursday. The Cowboys will face Alonso at Brandon tonight at 7.

The Cowboys had advanced to at least the tournament semifinals in each odd year this decade. With Thursday's win, they'll have a chance at their fourth Saladino title and third this decade after winning the tournament in 2003 and 2005.

"I don't know why that is," Gaither coach Frank Permuy said of the odd-year success. "I think we've had better teams in even years, but it just didn't happen. I think you've got to get a break. You've got to get a game pitched like Wednesday from Michael DeFranco.

"We're very happy to be coming back today. That was big. The kids really came through. I've been saying all along, resiliency. These kids are resilient. We've got a chance."

Mike Danner had a big game for the Cowboys, going 3-for-3 with three doubles, two RBIs and a run scored. He scored the Cowboys' first run on a Brady North double in the first, gave the Cowboys a 3-2 lead with an RBI double in the second and scored the Cowboys' final run of the game in the sixth, coming home on a passed ball.

Gaither starter Austen Thrailkill was solid, allowing two runs on six hits in 52/3 innings.

"He came clutch," Danner said of Thrailkill.

Armwood mounted a rally in the seventh and loaded the bases, putting the tying run on first, with one out. However, Dylan Hathcock settled down to strike out the next two hitters to help Gaither advance.

Zack Powers went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Kristian Calibuso went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the Hawks.

Alonso continues offensive fireworks

There doesn't seem to be any stopping Alonso, which in five Saladino Tournament games has scored 53 runs.

The latest beating came in Thursday's semifinal as the Ravens rapped out nine hits (six for extra bases) in a 9-4 victory over Plant.

"I wouldn't have thought we would have scored that many runs in this tournament," Alonso coach Landy Faedo said. "But at the same time it doesn't surprise me."

The Ravens (18-2) have averaged about eight runs a game for the season, a stat that didn't bode well for Plant (14-6), which had to dip rather deep into its bullpen Thursday night.

When starter Sergio Pita left the game after the fourth inning, Alonso's lead stood at just 3-1. The Ravens still appeared in command, however, with sophomore starter Jose Fernandez continuing to throw fastballs in the 90-mph range.

Offensively for the Ravens, shortstop Tito Martinez led off the game with a triple and scored the game's first run, second baseman Tyler Ding went 3-for-4 with three doubles, and designated hitter Thomas Dorminy hit a solo homer.

Scott Purks

Keyword: Prep Sports, for Adam Adkins' live blog during tonight's Saladino championship game.

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