Baseball Notebook: Eagles Respond Well After 2 Key Injuries

It didn't take long for adversity to strike the Brandon High baseball team. However, it also didn't take long for the Eagles to respond.

After losing outfielder James Ramsay (torn ACL) and first baseman Roderick Shoulders (torn labrum) to injury, Brandon put together consecutive Class 5A-District 8 victories against Newsome and Armwood to remain unbeaten, a statement that, if nothing else, shows the Eagles won't pack it in under trying times.

The loss of the two junior standouts unquestionably impacts the Eagles' makeup, but Brandon coach Matt Stallbaumer believes it won't impact the most important characteristic in his club: Attitude.

"I think the toughest thing that any coach tries to find within a program isn't necessarily winners as much as it is a winning attitude," Stallbaumer said. "That was instilled in us last year. ... We're all going to be fighting on the same page to get it done. With Roderick and James no longer going to be able to be out there, that winning attitude is what's still out there every day these kids take the field."

While Ramsay will undergo season-ending knee surgery, there's a chance the Eagles could get Shoulders back later this season. Shoulders' father, Rodney, said Tuesday that his son, who was scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday, definitely would return, with the latest being the start of the district tournament.

ON A ROLL

After Robinson earned its first win of the season with a seventh-inning rally Feb. 24 against Middleton, first-year coach Juan Fontela said he hoped the wins would come much easier after that. As it turns out, they have.

The Knights haven't lost since and won their fourth straight Tuesday with a 5-2 victory over Blake.

Junior IF Neal Cota (.556 average, two home runs, six RBIs) has been the offensive spark, while junior LHP Chris Lee has been very effective on the mound. Lee, who earned the win over the Tigers with three scoreless innings of relief, tossed six scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts in a start Tuesday against the Yellow Jackets.

"We've been playing good baseball," Fontela said. "Pitching, hitting, it's all coming together. We just have to stay focused on what we want to accomplish."

QUICK HITS

In his first career at-bat from the leadoff spot, Brandon senior C Michael Smith hit a solo home run. ... Jesuit set program records for home runs in a game (seven) and in one inning (five in the second) in a 21-0 rout of Blake on Saturday. Freshman IF Lance McCullers had a career day, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and seven RBIs. ... Blake's 5-4 win over Chamberlain on Feb. 20 was the Yellow Jackets' first win since April 13, 2007. It snapped a 26-game losing streak. ... Gaither junior OF Drew Doty, who didn't homer in 82 at-bats in 2008, homered in each of his first three games this season. ... Wharton senior IF Steve Christiansen, who has three doubles, three home runs, nine RBIs and seven runs scored in five games this season, already has nearly eclipsed his production from 2008, when he finished with three doubles, two homers, 12 RBIs and seven runs scored. ... Alonso senior IF Casey Smit hit a walk-off, three-run home run Tuesday to lift the Ravens to a big 6-3 win over Gaither. It was Smit's first varsity homer. ... The Saladino Tournament Golf Scramble will be held on March 15 at Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club. Cost is $75 per person. For information, contact Joe DiStefano at (813) 334-5791.