1. Jesuit, Tampa (19-0)
Results: The Tigers are off to a school-record start, with 12 games of 10 or more runs. Jesuit returns seven starters from a 21-9 team. Senior shortstop Nick Lockwood, who has committed to South Florida, and senior first baseman Greg Dupell already have five homers each.
USA Today story (here)
The Tigers, who secured the top seed for the district tournament, entered Friday's game ranked No. 1 in the nation in a pair of polls and backed it up with early offense and clutch pitching down the stretch.The Tigers scored five runs in the first two innings capped by a two-run home run to left-centerfield by Falla, his fourth of the season. His shot gave the Tigers a 5-2 lead. Leadoff batter Nick Lockwood reached base and scored on his first two at-bats. Joe Hudson and Lance McCullers also crossed home plate for Jesuit.
Plant proved capable of matching the Tigers in the first inning after designated hitter Joe Hudek knocked a single to rightfield, scoring two runs to tie the game after an inning.
When it was over Friday the Tigers gathered in rightfield and celebrated the 5-4 win and a school-record 18-0 start.
These Tigers surpassed the 2003 team, which began the season 17-0.
"I went back two years ago and checked," coach Richie Warren said. "I just like Jesuit baseball history. Went back through all the record books and started checking. These guys are having a pretty special year right now."
Warren stood beside former Jesuit coach John Crumbley, who is credited with constructing the powerhouse program. And Crumbley, who said he never misses a game, seemed proud to see one of his records fall.
"This was our goal when the season started," senior Jimmy Falla said of 18-0. "This team, everyone has bought into it and we just want to keep winning."
Link (here) to the full story.
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