TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

REGIONAL BASEBALL BLOG, DAY TWO: Sebring vs. Riverdale

CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE GAME? WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED

ADVERTISEMENT

By Brian Gjurgevich | Highlands Today
and Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: May 10, 2008

Updated: 05/10/2008 03:35 pm

FORT MYERS - 3:35 update: Riverdale wins it, 11-10.
Higgins hits a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the seventh, but Stewart gets the final batter on a strikeout to preserve the win and send the Raiders to the final four.
Final: Riverdale 11, Sebring 10.

3:22 update: Riverdale explodes for nine runs, takes lead
The Raiders have scored nine runs with one out in the sixth to take a 11-8 lead. Riverdale loaded the bases with no outs and scored first on a throwing error. The Streaks brought in Adam Simmons to try to stem the rally, but he had no answers and gave up two walks and two doubles in 1/3 of an inning. Matt Musto then came in and got the last two outs, but the damage was done.
Heading to the seventh, Sebring is down 11-8.

2:59 update: Six outs to go with a six-run lead.
Sebring scored two more runs in the top of sixth to extend its lead to six. Higgins drew a leadoff walk, and with two outs, pinch runner Evan Lewis stole second and Simmons worked Riverdale pitcher Nick Stewart for a walk. Gus Williams then continued his hot streak at the plate when he lined a double down left field line to score Lewis. On next pitch, Simmons scampered home on a wild pitch.
At the end of 5 1/2, it's Sebring 8, Riverdale 2, with Higgins still on the hill.

2:48 update: A bit of a scare
Riverdale put its first two runners on in the bottom of the fifth, but Higgins recorded a strikeout, Vazquez made a sparkling defensive play between first and second on a grounder and flipped to Higgins, who beat the baserunner but stumbled and was nearly trampled. After being checked out, Higgins returned to the mound to get get a pop-up that ended the inning. Through five, Higgins has a three hitter going, with six Ks and one walk.
At the end of five complete, it's Sebring 6, Riverdale 2.

2:38 update: Williams adds to lead
Gus Williams ripped a line-drive solo home run over the left-field fence in the top of the fifth off the third Riverdale pitcher of the day, Nick Stewart, to give Sebring a four-run lead. Williams took a 3-1 pitch for what he thought was a ball four, but halfway down the line, Gus was called back by the umpire amid a chorus of boos from the Sebring cheering section. He sent the next pitch over the fence, and Sebring is looking in good shape for a return trip to the final four.
At the end of 4 1/2, Sebring 6, Riverdale 2.

2:29 update: Higgins keeps rolling
Cody Higgins cruised through the fifth with 1-2-3 inning, highlighted by a strikeout on the first batter after falling behind 3-0. Any momentum Riverdale picked up after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth is back on Sebring's side. Higgins hasn't allowed a hit since the first, and has now retired eight Raiders in a row. Sebring is nine outs away from the final four.
Heading to the fifth, it's 5-2 Sebring.

2:21 update: Streaks miss opportunity, still lead
The Blue Streaks missed a golden opportunity to blow this one open in the fourth inning.
Mike Jones led off the inning with single to right, Higgins walked and Kevin Welborn had an infield single to load the bases with no outs, but Waldrop got a strikeout and an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play to pump up the Riverdale crowd and dugout and escape the jam.
Heading to the bottom of the fourth, Sebring leads 5-2.

2:10 update: Higgins breezing
Cody Higgins has found his curveball. The junior breezed through bottom of third and has four strikeouts through through three innings.
Heading into the top of the fourth, it's 5-2 Sebring.

2:07 update: Streaks extend lead
Riverdale brought in a new pitcher, Kyle Waldrop in the top of third, and Sebring didn't extend him a happy greeting. Tony Vazquez worked a leadoff walk, Simmons singled to center and a balk moved both runners into scoring position. Gus Williams then tripled down the right-field line, scoring both. Williams, however, was stranded when Waldrop bore down and got a ground-out, pop-out and strikeout to end the inning. But the damage was done, and the Blue Streaks are sitting on a three-run cushion.
Heading into the bottom of the third with Higgins still on the mound, it's 5-2 Sebring.

1:55 p.m. update: Higgins escapes second
Riverdale's leadoff batter reached second base on a walk and stolen base, but Sebring pitcher Cody Higgins recovered and struck out the next two Raiders to get out the inning unscathed. Higgins is starting to get his curveball over the plate for strikes.
At the end of two full innings, Sebring leads 3-2.

1:44 update: Sebring on top again
Cody Higgins helped his own cause and smacked a two-out solo home run over the left-center field fence to give the Streaks a 3-2 lead heading into bottom of the second. This one looks like it could be a slugfest with the wind blowing out.
After 1 1/2 innings, it's 3-2 Sebring.

1:34 update: Riverdale responds
Riverdale answered Sebring's hot start with two runs of its own in the bottom of the first via a one-out, two-run double by Nick Stewart.
Heading into the second, it's Sebring 2, Riverdale 2.

1:23 update: Streaks up 2-0
Sebring had runners on second and third with two out, but a fly ball to right field was tracked down by the Riverdale defense. Still, Sebring scored twice in the inning to jump out to the 2-0 after a half-inning, with the Raiders coming to the plate.

1:16 p.m. update: Streaks jump ahead
Tony Vazquez unloaded mammoth two-home run home run over the right-center field fence with Kevin Welborn on to give Sebring a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The wind's blowing out, which could lead to a slugfest today.
Still in the top of the first with one down and one on, Sebring leads 2-0.

12:58 update: Streaks look loose, Long gets good news
It's a sultry day, at least 90 degrees with high humidity at Riverdale High School, but the Sebring team is looking loose in the dugout prior to the start of today's do-or-die tiebreaker.
Sebring's finished warm-ups and are in their home whites for the game. Kyle Long is in the dugout, and says he was diagnosed with a "separated bone" in his shoulder, but if all goes well, he could be available for next week's state semifinals and finals.
But the Streaks will need to take care of business first.
Here's Hoppy Rewis' lineup for today's game:
1. Cody Higgins, P
2. Kevin Welborn, 3B
3. Tony Vazquez, 1B
4. Adam Simmons, DH
5. Gus Williams, RF
6. Cory Watt, 2B
7. Izzy Gomez, LF
8. Cody Hoffner, SS
9. Mike Jones, C

12:45 p.m. update: About 15 minutes to first pitch.
Cody Higgins is scheduled to take the mound for the Streaks, while senior Josh Berrios is slated to start for the Raiders.
The winner of today's game will meet the winner between Pasco and Palatka, who also split their Friday games. Pasco won Game 1, 6-2, while Palatka won Game 2, 10-5.
Rockledge and Bishop Kenny swept their way to victories in the top of the bracket to earn trips to the final four.

See Sunday's Highlands Today for results of Game 3. For complete coverage, including photos and reaction, see Monday's Highlands Today.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT