TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Notes: Loss may benefit Jesuit in long run

ADVERTISEMENT

By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 24, 2009

Updated: 04/24/2009 01:05 pm

Clyde Metcalf understands what the Jesuit High baseball team is going through this season.

Sarasota's longtime coach, who has built the Sailors into a nationally-recognized program during his 28-year tenure, has had plenty of highly-regarded teams, including his 1989 and 1994 squads, which each were crowned national champions by both USA Today and Baseball America.

Following Sarasota's 7-0 victory Wednesday over the Tigers, who were undefeated and ranked No. 1 in five different national polls entering the game, Metcalf offered some insight into why he believes Jesuit's loss might not have been a bad thing with postseason baseball starting next week.

"Our coaches were talking after the game, and most of us have been here a long time together. It's hard to go undefeated in Florida baseball," said Metcalf, who has led the Sailors to six state titles and earlier this season earned his 700th career win. "Sometimes, and I'm sure Jesuit wouldn't want to hear this, but sometimes it's better to go ahead and get that loss out of your way and then the kids can kind of re-energize and re-focus because the district tournament is when it counts."

Metcalf's 2005 Sarasota squad never got the chance to re-energize after its first loss. The Sailors, ranked No. 1 nationally at the time, had a perfect regular season and carried a 28-0 record into a regional semifinal against Wellington Palm Beach Central. Metcalf certainly remembers is the immense pressure on the Sailors that season, especially as the season progressed and an early loss never came.

"I saw it wearing on the kids," Metcalf said.

Sarasota ultimately lost that regional semifinal matchup, 6-2, ending its season.

Metcalf saw some similarities in Jesuit during the Sailors' matchup Wednesday night, especially after Sarasota took a 3-0 lead after one inning.

"You could almost sense as the game went on that they were pressing," he said.

Now, perhaps Jesuit won't. And Metcalf believes the loss the Sailors dealt Jesuit could be a positive for the Tigers.

"In looking at the grand picture … losing can be a positive thing. You can learn as much from a loss as you can from a win," he said. "When you're undefeated, there is a lot of pressure on you. When you're No. 1 in four or five different national polls, there's a lot of pressure on those kids.

"They're very good. Now they can sit back and go out and win their district and just play ball."

The lone goal for the Tigers (23-1) is to end the season as state champions. A national title would be nice, but it's not important in the grand scheme of things.

However, Metcalf believes if the Tigers ultimately go on to win the Class 5A state title this season, they'll still end up being recognized as the nation's best.

"If they win the state title in their classification, I would be willing to bet you that they will be national champions with one loss," Metcalf said.

FACA HONORS: The Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 13 players and coaches of the year in each of the state's six classifications were recently selected by Hillsborough County's head coaches who are FACA members.

The players of the year selected were: Alonso senior RHP Ray Delphey (Class 6A), Plant senior RHP/SS Mychal Givens (Class 5A), Spoto senior C Arley Benton (Class 4A), Tampa Catholic senior OF/RHP Ryan Henry (Class 3A), Tampa Prep junior IF Joey Bobo (Class 2A) and Cambridge Christian senior IF Trent Tagliarini.

The coaches of the year were: Alonso's Landy Faedo (Class 6A), Jesuit's Richie Warren (Class 5A), Spoto's Larry Benton (Class 4A), Tampa Catholic's Rich Arena (Class 3A), Tampa Prep's A.J. Hendrix (Class 2A) and Cambridge Christian's Rick Shears (Class 1A).

The players and coaches of the year selected will be placed on the ballot as the District 13 representatives for the state's overall player and coach of the year. Those awards, sponsored by the Florida Dairy Farmers, will be selected following the season.

HITTING THE BOOKS: Gaither junior OF Drew Doty tied the program record for home runs in a season with his ninth during the Cowboys' 2-0 victory Wednesday night over Chamberlain.

The record-tying homer – a solo shot in his first at-bat that put him even with Julian Colson's mark in 1996 – also carried some added significance. It marked a streak of hitting a home run in four consecutive at-bats after Doty homered in each of his final three at-bats in a loss to King on Tuesday.

According to the National High School Sports Record Book, Doty's streak of home runs in four consecutive at-bats was two shy of the national record of six. Doty's streak ended when he was hit by a pitch in his second at-bat against the Chiefs.

Doty isn't the only Gaither player leaving his mark in the team record books, however.

Junior LHP Dylan Hathcock has set a record for appearances in a season with 18, breaking the old mark of 16 held by Rene Cejas in 1992. Hathcock also set a Saladino Tournament record for appearances in a tournament with five during the Cowboys' run to the title game.

Hathcock, who has eight saves on the season, also is one shy of tying the program mark set by Cejas in 1992 in that category as well.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT