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Plant Panthers headed for final four

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 16, 2009

PUNTA GORDA - In a stellar showing of strong hitting and solid defense, the Plant baseball team defeated Charlotte, 11-1, in five innings to advance to the Class 5A state final four.

The Panthers (24-7) will play South Fork in the state semifinals Monday, May 25 at 8 p.m. in Port St. Lucie.

Senior Jake Lowe went 2-for-2 with a home run, two runs and a RBI to lead the Panthers. Senior shortstop Mychal Givens hit a one-run home run and scored two runs while Dylan Henderson had two hits with two runs and a RBI.

Pitcher Sergio Pita allowed five hits and struck out four in the win.

"We finally got to do it like we planned," Givens said. "Having been on great teams as a freshman, sophomore and last year, I finally do it my senior year."

Plant last won a state title in 1988, its only state title.

"We have to two most important games of our lives (ahead)," Lowe said.

Plant scored three runs in the first inning and two more in the third to take a 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, they scored six runs on five hits.

"They've worked their butts off," Plant coach Dennis Bruan said. "Last year, we were the team that should have (gone to states)."

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