Anthony Salveggi, Times Correspondent
Saturday, April 2, 2011
SEMINOLE — Seminole won twice Friday on its homefield to reach the final of the Steve Georgiadis Memorial Tournament and tonight at 7 will take on IMG Pendleton, which defeated Shorecrest 4-3.
After topping Boca Ciega 8-4 in an afternoon game, the Warhawks routed Berkeley Prep 11-3 in the nighttime matchup.
Seminole took an early lead over Berkeley Prep with two runs in the second thanks to an error and base hits by starting pitcher Alex McGathey and Casey Jennings.
The Buccaneers threatened in the top of the third after McGathey struck out the first two batters. Destin Nichols' double to center was followed by two walks to load the bases. But McGathey came back to end the inning with a strikeout.
The Warhawks tacked on four run in their next turn at bat. With the bases loaded, Michael Mann singled to drive in a pair of runs. Hits by Adam Atkinson and Jordan Meyer added another two scores.
McGathey got into a bit of trouble in the top of the fifth. A single by Dante Bosnic and a passed ball brought the Buccaneers' first two runs across. Kenny Barrett later scored on a groundout by Victor Pellegrino to bring Berkeley Prep within 6-3.
But Seminole extended its lead in the bottom of the inning.
McGathey, who helped his own effort with a double to left-center, came home on a Barrett Pluskat base hit to right. Pluskat then crossed home after a misplay of a Brett Phillips' fly to short left. Scott Withrow and Joey Krehbiel each brought in a run thanks to a single and sacrifice fly, respectively.
McGathey, who pitched five innings, finished with nine strikeouts.
Shorecrest plays Berkeley Prep in the third-place game at 4 p.m. today.