By Don Trello
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
Wiregrass Ranch made program history May 4 with its 5-2 win at Countryside in the Class 7A regional baseball quarterfinals.
“It’s the first time ever (the baseball team) has gone this far,” said Bulls coach Jeff Swymer. “It’s a huge win because it can change the culture of the program.”
The Wiregrass Ranch (18-9) victory was even more impressive considering the Bulls have one senior on the roster.
Sophomore left-hander Austin Drury got the win in relief of his brother Zach, a junior.
Austin relieved Zach with the bases loaded and one run in with one out in the first inning. He allowed an RBI-single to Jack Skantze that tied the score 2-2 before striking out Robert Robicheau and getting Mike Adams to ground out to end the inning.
“I definitely had some nerves coming in with the bases loaded, but perfect defense gets the job done,” Austin said. “I definitely settled down after the first inning. This is the biggest win I’ve had.”
Austin (3-1) pitched five scoreless innings, allowed four hits, struck out five, walked two and hit one batter.
“My brother was almost unbelievable; he did an awesome job throwing strikes,” Zach said. “It’s a huge, huge win for the program.”
Zach was not to be outdone by his younger brother. The elder Drury socked a two-out, two-run single in the second inning that scored Chris Parra and Austin, which gave the Bulls a 4-2 lead they never lost.
“The players on the bench were picking up on the catcher,” Zach said about the 2-2 pitch he hit to give the Bulls the lead. “The players called my name and number, and I knew a curve was coming, and I got it.”
Junior Ryan Girard relieved Austin with one out and a runner on second base in the sixth inning.
Girard walked Jonathan Feibus, got Charlie Skantze on a foul pop out and hit Zach Taylor to load the bases. He retired Christian Townsend on a fielder’s choice to end the threat.
“I felt good about Ryan Girard in that spot,” Austin said. “He’s a great pitcher.”
Girard, who earned his first save of the season, retired the first two batters in the seventh inning before a walk and a single brought Adams to the plate representing the tying run.
Adams ran the count to 3-2 before lifting a fly ball to center field that Austin caught for the final out of the game.
“Before the game, I was thinking about us going this far (in the postseason), and it was a pleasure,” Austin added. “This was a very fun game.”
Wiregrass scored a pair on unearned runs against starting and losing pitcher Jake Mielock (7-4) in the first inning.
Marcus Guzman singled with one out, advanced to second base on a wild pitch and stole third base. Zach popped out to first base, but Michael Campoamor walked and stole second with two outs.
Shane Bucenell hit a ground ball to shortstop, and Charlie Skantke made a wild throw to first allowing Guzman and Campoamor to score.
Wiregrass Ranch added an insurance run in the fourth inning off Townsend, who relieved Mielock in the third.
Girard reached first on an infield hit and went to second on Parra’s sacrifice bunt. Girard advanced to third on Austin Drury’s ground out then scored when Guzman doubled.
Countryside (17-11) was retired in order in the third and fifth innings. The Cougars stranded 12 base runners in the game.
“We made every inning interesting,” Swymer said. “I don’t know if our pitchers knew what a first-pitch strike was, but we battled and got a couple swings and misses.”
Swymer was pleased with the way his pitchers fought.
“Austin was stellar; he’s done that all year long,” Swymer said. “Girard is another junior arm. He’s come on late this year. We were really gritty today.”
The win sets up a matchup at Class 7A-District 9 rival Steinbrenner May 7 at 7 p.m. The Warriors have swept the season series with the Bulls this season, including a 4-0 victory for the district championship.
Wildcats out in regional quarters
Wesley Chapel baseball’s return to the playoffs for the first time in two seasons was ended in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals May 2 with a 5-0 loss at Hernando. The Wildcats (19-9) fell behind 1-0 in the first after senior pitcher Chase Ingram gave up a leadoff single and followed with three walks. He responded by striking out the side to end the threat, but Wesley Chapel was unable to muster any offense.
Gators fall at Winter Haven
The Land O’ Lakes baseball team had its season ended at Winter Haven in the Class 6A regional quarterfinals for the second straight year, falling 12-2 in five innings. The Gators (21-7) took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, but the Blue Devils (24-4) responded with three in the bottom of the frame to earn a lead they never lost.
