Know Thy Enemy

Often during regional playoffs, teams are at a disadvantage preparing for unknown opponents. Neither Nature Coast Technical nor Pasco High will have that problem tonight.
After all, as the top two teams in Class 4A, District 8 the past two seasons, the clubs have squared off three times this season and six times in the past two years.
They'll meet one more time in Dade City at 7 p.m. in a Region II semifinal, with an opportunity to advance to next weekend's best-of-three regional final round.
"There are no surprises," Nature Coast Head Coach Bob Shepard said. "You know what both teams have. We've just got to go out and execute."
Also tonight, Hernando Christian Academy will travel across the state to Deltona-Trinity Christian for a Class 1A, Region II semifinal at 7 p.m.

Breaking through

From the Nature Coast (21-6) perspective, the issue is breaking through against fifth-ranked Pasco (24-5).
The Sharks dropped all three previous match-ups this season by a combined 18-3 and are 1-12 all-time against the Pirates. That one victory came in Pasco's Death Valley last year, 10-6.
However, Nature Coast put together a solid effort in the 4A-8 title game last Friday at Springstead High. Pasco benefited from some timely, well-placed hits and strong pitching from ace Dustin Brown.
Though veteran Pasco skipper Ricky Giles would not commit to Brown (8-1, 1.52 ERA), Shepard anticipates seeing the senior right-hander who has started every game between these two clubs the past two years.
"All we can do is go out and try to repeat how we played in the title game," Shepard said. "We'll probably have to be a little more aggressive with the bats.
"...I think we'll be facing Brown. The last time in the title game, even though he pitched extremely well, we had some nice at-bats against him. His defense was there to support him. We'll just go out and battle and see what happens."
The Sharks will counter with senior right-hander Joe Silvestri (5-0, 0.42 ERA). The Pirates beat up on Silvestri in last year's 11-0 district final victory, though he came on to throw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in a March 25 8-1 loss in Dade City.
"He's been our most consistent pitcher this year," Shepard said. "He's a true gamer. At this point you go with who you think is the best. Hopefully he can hold them down and we score one more run than they do."
Conversely, Pasco has the task of finding a way to beat a team for the fourth time. In his 15th campaign at the Pirate helm, the sage headman would concede nothing.
"We know it's going to be pretty tough," Giles said. "But at this point in time, you know it don't matter if it's Nature Coast or anybody, you're talking about a whole different thing. You've got to play to survive.
"We know Nature Coast is a great team. They've got good guys out there. We've just got to play our game. We know we've got to play hard regardless of who we play."

Long road

On the heels of the second regional victory in program history, 9-1 over Deltona-Lighthouse Christian, HCA (16-9) has a long road trip to Deltona to face Trinity Christian (18-8).
The Eagles are the District 5 champions, the same district as Lighthouse Christian. They are ranked seventh in the state and needed just five innings to defeat 1A-6 runner-up Ocala-Shores Christian in Tuesday's quarterfinals, 13-0.
Comparatively, the Lions downed Shores Christian 13-3 in 4 1/2 innings in the 1A-6 title game, attended by Trinity Head Coach Mike Maples.
"We've been playing great," Maples said. "Our pitchers are doing good. We're doing a lot of hitting. I've seen Hernando. They're an impressive team. We'll be ready for them as much as we can."
The Eagles are led by sophomore Ryan Hadden, the team's clean-up hitter and the potential starting pitcher tonight.
According to Maples, he has five kids taller than 6-foot-1 and roughly 210-215 pounds, helping the team hit 12 home runs on the season.
"I think the key for us is, if we pitch Hadden, that he be on," Maples said. "If he's on he'll shut them down. He has not been hittable this year.
"I ain't worried about the hitting, that'll come through. I think it'll be pitching on both sides."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Class 1A, Region II semifinal
WHO: Hernando Christian Academy Lions (16-9, 1A-6 champions) at Deltona-Trinity Christian Academy Eagles (18-8, 1A-5 champions).
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Trinity Christian baseball field.
AT STAKE: Spot in May 9-10 best-of-three regional final versus the winner of Hialeah-Champagnat Catholic/Brito Miami Private.
DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 4 east to exit 111A/Deltona. Bear right on Saxon Boulevard (East County Road 4146). Turn left on North Normandy Boulevard. Turn right on Elkcam Boulevard. The school is located at 875 Elkcam Blvd.

WHAT: Class 4A, Region II semifinal
WHO: Nature Coast Technical Sharks (21-6, 4A-8 runners-up) at Pasco Pirates (24-5, 4A-8 champions).
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Pasco's "Death Valley" baseball field.
AT STAKE: Spot in May 9-10 best-of-three regional final versus the winner of Palatka/Ponte Vedra-Nease.

BY THE NUMBERS: NCT vs. Pasco
Pasco leads series 12-1
Date Site Result
03-05-04 Home L 0-15 (5 inn.)
03-26-04 Away L 0-10 (4 1/2 inn.)
03-04-05 Away L 3-13 (6 inn.)
04-08-05 Home L 1-7
05-05-05 Away* L 4-10
03-21-06 Away L 3-8
04-14-06 Home L 3-11
03-20-07 Home L 1-2
04-13-07 Away W 10-6
04-27-07 Away* L 0-11 (4 1/2 inn.)
02-28-08 Home L 1-7
03-25-08 Away L 1-8
04-25-08 Away* L 1-3
* Denotes district tournament game