The second annual Florida Four college baseball tournament was played March 1 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa and five area athletes were on the participating teams. The University of South Florida defeated the University of Miami in the first game 4-2 and Florida State University beat the University of Florida 5-3.
Peter Miller born to play baseball
Lutz resident and Florida State University freshman Peter Miller cannot remember a time when he wasn’t playing baseball.
“I was born a baseball player,” said Miller, a pitcher and infielder. “I just fell in love with baseball. I love it all. I love being here watching the game, pitching, hitting the ball. Anything with baseball.”
Miller was homeschooled, but played baseball with Cambridge Christian. He had a .321 batting average with 24 RBI, 12 doubles, four triples and two homeruns as a senior. On the mound he had a 6-0 record with a 0.89 ERA and a team-high 65 strikeouts.
His numbers impressed enough to get a shot with the Seminoles.
“It’s unbelievable and when you get to the program you understand why FSU has one of the best baseball traditions in America,” Miller said. “The coaches, the players we push ourselves every day.”
Miller has shown he can deal with the pressure of big-time college baseball. In his first at bat Feb. 18 against Virginia Military Institute (VMI) he hit an RBI double. He is batting .600 with two RBI and a perfect fielding percentage through the Seminole’s first eight games.
“I wasn’t nervous,” Miller said of his first at bat. “These coaches prepare us. It was just going up there and playing baseball like I have my whole life.”
He has only pitched in one game, but had a perfect inning against VMI Feb. 20.
“I have to go up against our lineup every day, so I was prepared,” Miller said. “So to go up against teams with inferior lineups than what we have was like nothing. Try getting in there against our guys. That’s nerve racking.”
-Kyle LoJacono
Matt Campbell takes road less traveled
Matt Campbell has come a long way from pitching for Freedom.
Campbell, the Patriots pitcher of the year in 2006, is now in his senior season for the University of Florida.
“It’s all pretty surreal,” Campbell said.
However, the transition from northern Hillsborough County high school star to a key reliever on a team that reached the College World Series last year didn’t come without a few bumps in the road. By the end of his senior year at Freedom, Campbell wasn’t sure where he would continue his baseball career.
“I looked at some smaller schools, but I knew I’d be given the opportunity to walk on (at the University of Florida),” Campbell said.
Campbell would spend the next three years being a standout pitcher on the UF club baseball team. In 2009, he was named a first-team National Club Baseball Association All-American with a 7-1 record with three saves and a 0.16 ERA to go along with 63 strikeouts.
The righty was called up for the 2010 season and would contribute 11.1 innings and eight strikeouts without a single walk. He tied a career high with two strikeouts in two innings of work against UCLA in the Gators first College World Series game last summer. That success hasn’t stopped the senior reliever from trying to get better, however.
“I want to become a more complete pitcher and find my role on the team,” Campbell said.
So far in the 2011 season, Campbell has pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout in his only appearance.
-Shawn Ferris
Bulldog living baseball dreams
Austin Adams has never been a stranger to hard work.
The University of South Florida (USF) pitcher and 2009 Zephyrhills grad has worked his way up from the little league at Sam Pasco Park to Division I baseball with the Bulls.
It was this drive and determination that landed Adams at George M. Steinbrenner Field March 1, as USF defeated perennial heavyweight Miami 4-2 in the second annual Florida Four. The experience was something that Adams will never forget.
“The atmosphere was great,” Adams said. “Playing against a powerhouse like Miami and getting the win was amazing.”
Although Austin didn’t see the field against the Hurricanes, each time he laces up his cleats he is reminded of a childhood dream that has come true.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Adams said. “Definitely a dream that I wanted to fulfill since little league and it’s been amazing.”
Adams has made one appearance through the Bulls first eight games and looks to make an impact in the coming months.
The right-handed physical education major is confident that USF will continue to build off the big win against Miami.
“It’s amazing,” Adams said. “We’re in the Big East and trying to go as far as possible. I think this team definitely has something special this year.”
-David Botello
Gators grad positive of future
Land O’ Lakes graduate Trey Dahl grew up not far from George M. Steinbrenner Field and was thrilled to play in the venue March 1.
“It’s definitely nice when a lot of people show up, too,” Dahl said of the near full stadium for the tournament.
The Land O’Lakes graduate notes there are definite differences in high school and college baseball.
“Even being in the locker room, to playing on the field, the game is quicker,” Dahl said. “There’s a lot more aspects of the game that you don’t really cover in high school that you do when you come to the divisional level.”
Dahl said San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is his strongest baseball influence, citing their physical similarities like their small stature. Dahl is listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds.
Last season he pitched nine innings, which were spread out between 15 appearances out of the bullpen. The lefty had nine strikeouts and a 5.00 ERA.
Dahl said if he went professional he would like to stay in Tampa and play for the Rays. However, he is headed for law school following his graduation.
-Leigh Ann Nicholson
Lutz resident makes UF squad
Lutz resident and Jesuit alumni Daniel Gibson is making a name for himself in college as a relief pitcher for the University of Florida (UF).
UF swept University of South Florida in the first series of the year. The Gators used 11 different pitchers in the opening weekend, including Gibson.
“When I am getting ready for a game it’s both mentally and physically,” Gibson said. “I’ll start in (batting practice) to warm up my arm and then pass the ball around a bit.”
Gibson chose to go to UF instead of signing with the Milwaukee Brewers, who drafted him in the 26th in the MLB draft. For him, the decision was easy.
“I was really excited to sign on with UF because I had been a fan of their baseball program,” Gibson said.
Gibson has pitched in two of the Gators first eight games. He has given up three hits, but has not allowed a run in his two innings. He also has two strikeouts.
-Molly Jacobson
