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Blue Streaks Ready To Go

SEBRING SHAKES OFF EUPHORIA TO PREPARE FOR BARTOW

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

The Blue Streaks are hoping to be celebrating again after tonight’s Class 4A regional semifinals against Bartow at Firemen’s Field.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: May 2, 2008

CLASS 4A REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
WHO: Sebring vs. Bartow
WHEN: Tonight at 7
WHERE: Firemen's Field
COST: $6

Take a look at photos from Tuesday night's Class 4A regional quarterfinal game. Sebring defeated Lake Wales 11-10.
Sebring at Regional Quarterfinals Photo Gallery

BUY THESE PHOTOS

SEBRING — The euphoria of beating the No. 7 ranked Lake Wales team lasted the bus ride home according to pitcher Steven Fortner, who had the focus of a veteran when asked about taking the mound against Bartow in the Class 4A regional semifinals tonight at Firemen's Field.

"I'm ready to go," Fortner said. "This team is focused on what we've got to do. I've been doing it so long and I know that all I do is go out and pitch. I know my role on this team and I live in that state of mind and I'm looking forward to battling against Bartow."

Fortner was warming up on Tuesday, hoping to relieve starter Adam Simmons late in the game, but the decision was to go with Cody Higgins, which seemed to work out for Streaks head coach Hoppy Rewis.

"Cody was closer to being loose I thought after playing in the game at third," Rewis said. "It worked out for us and we can come back with Steven fresh against Bartow."

Sebring and Bartow did battle earlier in the season, with the Streaks coming out on top 5-1 in a close game that came down to extra innings.

"We were tied 1-1 and we scored four in the ninth to win," Rewis said. "[Bartow] just ran out of pitching and we capitalized on that.
"We, as a team, were at a point in the season that we had to make a statement. We had to show we could beat a quality team."

The final inning against Lake Wales watched the Streaks hold on for dear life, but a game that some coaches actually enjoy.

"I loved coaching that game against Lake Wales," Rewis said. "I knew that if we didn't make any mistakes that they weren't going to score."

But for the players, it was a game they just as soon move past and get ready for the next.

"I think we were all really nervous in that game," Sebring's Tony Vazquez said. "We were all hoping and praying for that last out. Everyone gave 100 percent of themselves to win that game and we have to come out and play even better against Bartow.
"That win meant everything to us to prove that we're this year's team and we're focused on the state championship."

Shaking off the memories of last year's final four team is something that Rewis believes has been unfairly placed on the doorstep of this year's team.

"This team is a continuation of last year's team," Rewis said. "Most of these players were a part of that team and we couldn't have went as far as we did last year without them. I'm proud of them but they're always going to live under a blanket of pressure as long as I'm coach and my goal is to make it a habit of a long playoff run each year."

Vazquez, who started at first base in '07, understands that last year's team was special but that the comparisons should end.

"It was amazing what we accomplished last year," said the SHS senior. "But this team is ready to write it's own chapter in the history books."

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