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Three Homers Propel Gators Past Bulldogs

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By BART O’CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 24, 2009

LAND O’ LAKES - For the first time in more than a week, Land O' Lakes' lineup started to show its potential against Zephyrhills, thanks to the return of a key player and the emergence of a potential star.

Sophomore David Perez belted his first two homers as a varsity player to lead off the third and fourth innings, and leading hitter Curt Hilgenberg returned from a week's absence to drive in four as the Gators easily dispatched the Bulldogs 13-1 in five innings. It is Land O' Lakes' second consecutive win since a three-game losing streak.

Overshadowed by the hitting, starter Jason Garcia surrendered hits to the first two Zephyrhills players, but none the rest of the game, striking out eight for his fifth win.

"Jason threw pretty well once he settled down," Gators coach Calvin Baisley said.

Perez turned on two fastballs, crushing the first down the right field line, and lining the second over the wall in right center. He had entered the game just 2-for-27 as a varsity hitter.

"The only thing that surprises me is that it took so long," Baisley said of Perez's breakout performance.

The Gators (10-4) took advantage of an uncharacteristic seven Zephyrhills (10-4) errors, scoring four runs in the second, third and fourth innings. The score was tied at 1 after the first.

Nick Pardo broke the game open with his first homer of the year, a three-run shot in the second that made it 5-1. J.J. Downum was 2-for-3 and Austin Costa had three runs scored.

Trying to preserve the arm of top pitcher Tyler Guy, Zephyrhills pitching gave up 11 hits in all. Jason Wilcox took the loss (1-2).

LAND O' LAKES 13, ZEPHYRHILLS 1 (Five Inn.)
Zephyrhills 1 0 0 0 0 = 1 2 7
Land O' Lakes 1 4 4 4 x = 13 11 2
Wilcox, Masartis (3), Debyah (4) and Debyah, Whitworth (4); Garcia and Carrier. W – Garcia (5-1). L – Wilcox (1-2). 2B – Monbarren (Z); Downum (LOL). HR – Perez 2, Pardo (LOL). Records – Z 10-4, LOL 10-4.

Correspondent Bart O'Connell can be reached at tampasport@gmail.com.

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