David Rice, Times Correspondent
Thursday, April 7, 2011
TAMPA — Berkeley Prep jumped out to a nine-run lead over Brooks-DeBartolo (7-11) in the first inning and never looked back Thursday as the Buccaneers delivered one of their most complete performances of the season in a 13-1 victory.
Sophomore Bubba Olivera got the start for Berkeley Prep (11-10), throwing six innings and racking up six strikeouts. After the first, the Buccaneers struggled at the plate but were able to finish the game off in the bottom of the sixth when junior Kenny Barrett hit a grand slam.
"Getting run support like that is a pitcher's dream," Berkeley coach Justin Houston said. "Bubba came out and threw strikes. He was getting leadoff hitters out and setting a tone for the game."
The game was marred by the lack of control that Brooks-DeBartolo pitcher Javier Reynoso showed in his five innings. Four times a Buccaneers batter was struck by pitches, including Olivera twice, once in the head. By the time the game came to a conclusion, Houston was fuming at the opposing coaching staff and umpires for what he felt were intentional shots.
"It's easy for (Reynoso) to recover from that first inning and get in a groove when our guys have to be afraid that someone is aiming for them," Houston said. "We got a guy getting hit in the head and another in the ribs. That's not high school baseball and it shouldn't be the way the game is played at any level."
Houston was pleased with the composure his players showed.
"I love the way our guys handled themselves," Houston said. "Hopefully this is a game for us where we look at the way we played and are able to repeat it."