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Streaks Show They Belong

CLASS 4A REGIONAL SEMIFINAL: SEBRING 2, BARTOW 0

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Sebring sophomore Josh Chavis raises his arms and looks to the stands while the rest of the Blue Streaks celebrate their 2-0 victory over Bartow on Friday during the Class 4A regional semifinals at Firemen’s Field.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: May 3, 2008

Updated: 05/05/2008 11:05 am

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SEBRING — The fans filled the stands and the waves of cheers charged the night air at Firemen's Field on Friday night, and with the season on the line, Sebring's Steven Fortner didn't disappoint.

"All night," said Fortner from the moment he stepped into the dugout. "I'm feeling it tonight."

The Blue Streak senior pitched a complete game shutout in front of some outstanding defensive plays from his teammates, as Sebring bounced the Bartow 2-0 in the Class 4A regional semifinals.

All eyes were on Fortner heading into the top of the seventh, as the Streaks clung to a two-run lead. A one-out base hit by first baseman Gage Upthegrove put the tying run at the plate, but a pair of acrobatic catches by centerfielder Kyle Long sent the fans and his teammates into a frenzy.

"I let one go earlier in the inning," Long said. "I promised myself I wasn't going to let that happen again. I got a good jump on that last ball and I knew I had to go all out for it and it fell into my glove."

Fortner pumped his fists and was immediately mobbed by teammates and coaches, as the Blue Streak faithful erupted in the stands with cheers of appreciation of the senior's gutsy performance.

"That was the best defense I think we've played all year," Fortner said. "Everybody made a play tonight, and nothing got past the infield. When Kyle made those catches to end the game, all I could say was, 'thank you.'"

"It really relaxes me when our defense is playing like that."

Sebring head coach Hoppy Rewis wasn't at a loss for words when talking about Fortner's performance on the mound.

"Steve was just awesome tonight," said the SHS skipper. "I know he was frustrated the other night when I didn't put him in the game [against Lake Wales] and I thought it really motivated him tonight. He did what we asked him to do and I thought [catcher] Mike Jones did an exceptional job behind the plate. He allowed no passed balls when a lot of those pitches were in the dirt.

"For Steve to be effective, Mike has to do that."

With the win, Sebring moves on to the Class 4A regional finals, where they'll travel to face District 11 champion Riverdale of Fort Myers (who beat Naples 1-0) in a new best-of-three-series beginning at 4 p.m. on May 9.

The change in format this season is not something Rewis has warmed up to.

"I don't like it really," Rewis said of the best-of-three series, which starts with a doubleheader on Friday. "I understand that [the FHSAA] wants to have the four best teams with the best pitching in the final four. What I'm worried about is how many kids are going to get hurt from playing three games in two days."

The Streaks will play a twin-bill at Riverdale on May 9 and, if necessary, will play the third game, also at Riverdale at 1 p.m. on May 10.

Former Blue Streak Cory Ritter — a member of last year's final four squad — thinks the new format adds undue pressure on an already pressure-filled situation for both teams.

"Can you imagine if we would've had to play Tampa Jesuit in a three-game series last year?" Ritter said. "That just adds a whole new dynamic to the playoffs, and who knows what would've happened."

Riverdale aside, Sebring showed they belong on the same field as the best teams in the state this week, dispatching the No. 7 team in the state in Lake Wales and ousting Bartow (who pounded District 10 champion Braden River) to advance for a chance at a return trip to the state final four.

"That's all we're thinking about right now," Long said. "We want to get back [to the state final four]. I believe we have some unfinished business."

Sebring made sure to take care of business against Bartow.

Offensive was at a premium for both sides, as a total of 12 hits were amassed by the two offensive-minded squads.

Sebring struck first in the opening frame, when Long drove in Cody Higgins from third with a single into right field and Cory Watt scored in the second inning on a throwing error to third for a 2-0 lead after two.

Fortner had very little trouble through the first four innings, allowing just three hits and nobody past second base.

The senior got into a jam in the fifth, when Chad Hopkins reached on a walk and Corey Stinson singled into right field to put runners on first and second. A low fastball got by Jones, but the Sebring catcher recovered quickly to gun down Hopkins as he tried for third.

After giving up a hit, Fortner forced a routine grounder to Watt to end the inning and Sebring's confidence reached its peak.

"This really challenged us to come together as a team," Fortner said. "I said that they can beat one of us but they can't beat all of us. I told myself that I wasn't going to give them the win. They'll have to earn it."

Sebring had a chance to pad the lead in the home half of the sixth when Jones and Cody Higgins reached base with no outs, but Bartow pitcher Tyler Cassick got the next three batters out to strand the runners.

Rewis did have a moment of pause going into the final inning with just a slim two-run lead and knowing they blew a chance to add to their advantage.

"Of course I was nervous," Rewis said. "Bartow was standing on the cliff and we're on the edge. But our defense made every play we had to make and we came out on top."

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