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Heartbreaking Sixth Shatters Sebring's Hopes

RIVERDALE SCORES NINE RUNS IN SIXTH TO STEAL 11-10 GAME 3 WIN

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

The Sebring baseball team dropped a heartbreaking 11-10 loss to Riverdale in the third and deciding game of a Class 4A regional final series on Saturday in Fort Myers.

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By Brian Gjurgevich | Highlands Today

Published: May 10, 2008

Updated: 05/10/2008 04:16 pm

Sebring vs. Riverdale: Class 4A Regional Finals Photo Gallery

FORT MYERS — The Sebring baseball team was up by six runs with six outs to go, but a furious Riverdale rally vaulted the Raiders into the state final four with a thrilling 11-10 victory in the third and deciding game of a Class 4A regional series on Saturday at Riverdale High School.

Sebring jumped out to an 8-2 lead and appeared to be headed to its second consecutive trip to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, but a devastating nine-run sixth inning helped the Raiders steal one from the Streaks.

Sebring junior Cody Higgins, who threw five-plus innings, gave up six hits and struck out five on the mound, smacked a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to give the Sebring faithful hope after the disastrous sixth, but Riverdale pitcher Nick Stewart picked up the victory by striking out the final Blue Streak batter to end Sebring's season.

Higgins finished 3 for 3 at the plate with two home runs, a single, two walks and three RBI, while Gus Williams went 3 for 4 with four RBI and a double, triple and home run in a losing effort.

The Blue Streaks jumped ahead right out of the gate in the first inning when Tony Vazquez launched a mammoth home run over the right-center field fence with Kevin Welborn on base. Riverdale then answered in the bottom of the frame on a one-out, two-run double by Stewart.

Sebring jumped back on top in the second inning when Higgins gave himself some breathing room with a solo home run over the left-center fence to give the Streaks a 3-2 lead.

Sebring added to its total in the third inning when Riverdale brought in pitcher Kyle Waldrop. Vazquez worked a leadoff walk, Adam Simmons singled to center and Gus Williams cleared the bases with a triple down the right field line to give Sebring a 5-2 lead after three.

Higgins, meanwhile, was throwing his curveball for strikes and cruising through the Riverdale lineup.
He struck out five through four innings and retired eight in a row after giving up one hit in the first. The Raiders threatened in the fifth, but a dazzling defensive play by Vazquez and a gutsy strikeout by Higgins ended the inning.

Sebring extended its lead to six in the sixth inning when 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 torrid streak at the plate with a line-drive double down the left field line to score Lewis. On the next pitch, Simmons scampered home on a wild pitch to give Sebring an 8-2 lead.

But the sixth inning proved disastrous and Sebring's season, which looked like it would be extended with a six-run lead in the sixth inning, came to a sudden and disappointing end.

For complete coverage, including photos and reaction, see Monday's Highlands Today.

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