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Plant Bats Come Alive

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 1, 2009

TAMPA - Plant's offense had gotten off to an uncharacteristically slow start this season, but the Panthers finally got things rolling Saturday.

Plant managed a season-high run total, aided by a nine-run outburst in the third inning, and rolled to a 13-1 road victory over Jefferson in a game shortened to five innings because of the mercy rule.

"We've been struggling with the bats a little bit, but they've been working hard and you could kind of see that it was maybe a matter of time," said Plant coach Dennis Braun, whose team managed 16 total runs through its first four games.

Senior Graham Ramos provided two of the Panthers' biggest hits, and both came in the big third inning that helped Plant jump out to an 11-0 lead. Ramos twice lined shots off the center-field wall, with the first going for a double that scored junior Conner Mitchell (2-for-2, two doubles, two RBIs, three runs scored) and the second for a three-run triple.

Plant also got a solid pitching performance from senior right-hander Jake Lowe, who scattered five hits and struck out five in going the distance to help the Panthers win their fourth game in a row after a season-opening loss.

Jefferson senior Chad Taylor had two hits, and junior Alex Rivera brought home the Dragons' only run with a single in the fifth.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 259-7616.

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