TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Durant swings to top in nail-biter semifinal

ADVERTISEMENT

By DAREK SHARP

dsharp@tampatrib.com

Published: May 6, 2009

PLANT CITY - Sarasota had the rich history, but Durant had recent history.

The Cougars put forth what was undoubtedly the biggest district tournament win ever for the baseball program, knocking off Sarasota 7-5 in the 6A-8 semifinals. It was Durant's second win in a row against the Sailors, though this one was far greater in significance - it put Durant in the playoffs.

In so doing, the Cougars kept Sarasota out of the postseason for the first time since 1992. Only Westminster Christian (Miami) and Jesuit had longer postseason streaks going. Sarasota had won the district championship the past four seasons, taking the state title in 2007.

Durant went on to challenge top-seed Lakeland in the title game Thursday before losing 4-1, meaning the Cougars were set to start the playoffs Tuesday night at Gaither. The Gaither-Durant winner will meet either Lakeland or Alonso in the regional semifinals this Friday.

Alonso was expected to win 6A-7 and led Gaither 3-0 in the last inning before the Cowboys won it on a grand slam. Durant would get to host a second-round game if the opponent is Alonso.

The April 28 win against Sarasota was a monumental achievement.

First the Cougars had to get by Plant City in the first round, ending the Raiders season with a 6-5 defeat. Plant City came back from a 5-2 margin in its last two at-bats, only to have Durant win it with a run in the bottom of the seventh.

Then came the semifinal against Sarasota, a team that had in its regular-season finale beat Jesuit, then 23-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country. Eric Williams, the same pitcher who limited Jesuit to one hit while shutting out the Tigers, pitched against Durant.

But Durant had beaten Sarasota in their earlier meeting on April 1.

"That really did help us. Sarasota was not invincible to Durant," Cougars head coach Butch Valdes said.

It showed as Durant came out swinging, and running, and scored in the first inning with two hits off Williams. Sophomore Brett Jones singled and stole second, and came home when freshman Trey Oest beat out a potential double play.

But the third inning was the one that ultimately put the Cougars on their way to the playoffs. Christian Lopez singled and Adam Albers walked, leading to an Oest bunt that made the score 2-0. Then Brad Sabourin belted a three-run homer that put the Cougars ahead 5-0, and chased Williams from the game.

Sarasota naturally did not quit, but Durant starter Austin Buck gutted out a complete-game victory. Buck allowed 12 hits but got out of several jams, sometimes with the help of his defense. Albers snagged a line drive to end the fifth inning after Sarasota had gotten to within 6-5.

Oest came up with some much-needed insurance, an RBI single in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for a heart-stopping conclusion. Sarasota drew a walk and then a single, followed by a one-out bunt that moved the tying run over to second base. Sailors designated hitter Sean Hurley hit a ball that looked like it was headed up the middle for a single, but second baseman Lopez dove to his right, made the stop and threw to first to end the game.

"The defense played great," Valdes said. "There was no way I was taking Austin out, he's been one of our big horses and I was standing behind him all the way. It was a gutsy performance."

Nationally-ranked Lakeland eliminated Sarasota Riverview in the other 6A-8 semifinal at East Bay.

The Durant-Lakeland winner had home-field advantage for Tuesday's regional opener. Tuesday's winners play next in the regional semifinal this Friday.

Alonso and Gaither are the other teams in Durant's early part of the playoff draw. Gaither ended Mitchell High pitcher Patrick Schuster's no-hit streak with a 9-4 win April 28 in the 6A-7 tourney; Schuster had tossed four straight no-hitters.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT