St. Pete Times - March 30

The following is an excerpt from the St. Pete Times' Sports Sections:

Baseball: Fifth inning key for Shorecrest in Georgiadis opener

SEMINOLE — The opening game in the 20th annual Steve Georgiadis Holiday Tournament wasn't pretty, and it didn't have anything to do with inclement weather that set the schedule back a day.
The teams combined for eight errors but Shorecrest found a way to open up the game late, defeating Brooks-DeBartolo 6-3 Tuesday evening.
"You've got a lot of good teams in this tournament and we want to play the best teams we can play," Shorecrest coach Don Reed said. "It was a nice win."
Brooks-DeBartolo (6-9) struck first in the third inning when Tremayn Hopps scored from second base on two throwing errors.
The Chargers would answer in the top of the fourth. With one out and a runner on second, Jon Oorlog ripped a shot to shallow rightfield. Deshun Bollings mishandled the ball, allowing Spencer Heath to round third and score.
Javier Reynosa would break the tie in the bottom of the fourth on a home run to centerfield giving the Phoenix a 2-1 lead, but it was short-lived.
Shorecrest (13-6) inflicted serious damage and exploded for four runs in the fifth. With runners on the corners, Oorlog hit an RBI double into centerfield, followed by a two-RBI single by Brian Kinter to take a 4-2 lead.
A stolen base by Kinter and a throwing error allowed the senior outfielder to cross home.
"The fifth inning got us," Brooks-DeBartolo coach Donnie Oliver said. "Riley Crispell did a great job for us on the mound, but we started making mistakes in the field that hurt us."
Two more throwing errors scored the Chargers' John Schiff in the sixth. Brooks-DeBartolo scored once more in the seventh.
Jordan Lindsey (4-1) threw a complete game with six hits, nine strikeouts and three runs, one earned.

 

Article Posted in "Old Northeast-Downtown St. Pete Patch" - March 30, 2011

Shorecrest Prep's Baseball Squad Feeds Off of Spencer Heath's Energy - The Shorecrest Prep catcher brings a passion to the game Chargers coach Don Reed believes is vital for success.

ST. PETERSBURG - There are many reasons for Shorecrest Prep's success but last year and this year. The Chargers not only are one of the top teams in the state, they are a favorite to play for the Class 2A state title game.

Of course it helps to have talent, which Shorecrest does. But it often takes more than talent. Spencer Heath fits that description.

Oh, the Chargers catcher has talent, no question. Entering this week's Steve Georgiadis Memorial tournament at Seminole, Heath led the Chargers with 26 RBIs. But it's his leadership on the field that is endearing to both his coaches and teammates.

"No. 1, he is a real good receiver and he plays with a lot of energy and takes charge," Shorecrest coach Don Reed said. "Spencer throws the ball well and he's also a good hitter. He's very much clutch."

It is that element of the game, a leader and clutch player that Heath covets.

"If I see something is wrong on the field, if it needs to be immediately addressed, I will go out to the infield," Heath said. "Otherwise, I'll wait to go to the dugout or I will go tot he mound to talk to them.

As Reed suggested, Heath brings a natural energy and enthusiasm to the field that can't be coached. Heath believes that's one of his best traits.

"I think it helps you relax when you talk it up and have fun," Heath said. "It goes to the whole team. It rubs off and they get fired up.

"You will make errors once in a while. Once last year when Mark [Brakeman] was pitching, it was the last inning and guys started booting balls and I called time out and said, 'Hey guys, we need to tighten things up.' And we won the game."

Reed enjoys that mentality from Heath.

"He has a lot of responsible behind the plate and you have to have someone who is willing to take charge," Reed said. "You have to handle the pitcher; you have eight guys looking at you. You are blocking balls I the dirt. It's very important to have someone who is full of emery and hustle and plays the game the way it should be played."

Shorecrest vs Brooks DeBartolo

Tuesday, March 29

Shorecrest 6, Brooks DeBartolo 3

The Chargers won their first game in the Seminole Tournament and will play the winner of the IMG/Plant City game Friday at 4:00 pm.

Brooks DeBartolo scored a run in the bottom of the 3^rd inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Chargers scored a run in the 4^th inning on Spencer H’s leadoff single. Jon O. drove him in on a base hit to tie the score at 1-1. Brooks DeBartolo scored a run in the 4^th to go ahead 2-1.

John R. led off top of the 5th inning with a double. Marc B. was walked intentionally. Jon O. doubled to drive in a run. Brian K. singled to drive in 2 more runs. Jordan L. reached on an error and a run scored to give the Chargers a 5-2 lead.

With 2 outs in the 6^th inning John S. singled and scored on an error to give the Chargers a 6-2 lead. Brooks scored a run in the bottom of the 7^th inning to make the final score 6-3.

Jordan L. pitched a great game for the Chargers allowing only 1 earned run, 6 hits, 9 strikeouts and did not issue a base on balls.

John S. and Brian K. made the defensive plays of the game. John S. made one of his great diving catches in right field. Brian K. made a great block on a pitch in the dirt and was able to tag the runner out trying to score from 3^rd base.

Leading for the Chargers:

Jon O. with 1 single 1 double, 2 RBIs and 1 run scored

Brian K. with 2 hits, 2 RBIs and 1 run scored

John R. with 1 double

John S. with 1 hit and 1 run scored

Spencer H. with 1 hit and 1 run scored

Jordan L. with 2 hits

Miles B. with 1 run scored

Marc B. with 1 run scored

Shorecrest vs Seffner Christian-BAY CONFERENCE DIVISION CHAMPS!

Friday, March 25

Shorecrest 5, Seffner Christian 2

The Chargers beat Seffner Christian to win their division of the Bay Conference and earned the right to play in the championship game on April 21.

John S. walked in the bottom of the 1^st inning. Jon O. drove him in with a ground out to give the Chargers a 1-0 lead. Miles B. led off the 3^rd inning with a base on balls. John R. and John S. both singled to load the bases. Spencer H. drove them in with a sacrifice fly. Jon O. grounded out to drive in another run to give the Chargers a 3-0 lead.

In the 4^th inning Brian K. led off with a single and he scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-0. In the 5^th inning John R. reached on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Marc B. to give the Chargers a 5-0 lead. Seffner Christian scored 2 runs in the top of the 6^th to cut the lead to 5-2.

Marc B. struck out the side in the 7^th inning to end the game to give the Chargers a 5-2 victory. Marc B. pitched an outstanding game allowing only 3 hits, 15 strikeouts and no bases on balls to pick up his 3^rd win of the year.

Leading for the Chargers:

Brian K. with 1 single, 1 double and 1 run scored

John R. with 1 base hit and 2 runs scored

John S. with 1 hit and 1 run scored

Miles B. with 1 run scored

The Chargers play Brooks DeBartolo on Monday, March 28 at 4:00 pm in the Annual Seminole High School Steve Georgiadis Tournament

St. Pete Times - March 24, 2011

The following is an excerpt from the St. Petersburg Times' Sport Section: 

Baseball: Shorecrest starts slowly, finds stride to rout Northside Christian


ST. PETERSBURG — Northside Christian and Shorecrest have been the fiercest of rivals for years in baseball with their games often determining the top seed in the district and which team advances deeper in the playoffs.

On Wednesday, the Chargers gained an edge in Class 2A, District 11 by getting 11 hits in a convincing 13-3 victory that was called after six innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

But the win was not convincing enough for Shorecrest coach Don Reed, who preached to the team about the importance of putting everything together in the same game.

"We still haven't played a complete game," Reed said. "We left too many guys on base and had some breakdowns. We'll be in the Seminole tournament next week and we can't get away with some of those things against some public school teams."

The Chargers (10-5) built their lead slowly, scoring once in the first inning and adding two more in the second and four in the third.

It was more than enough for starter Brian Kinter, who was mowing down Mustangs batters with efficiency through the first four innings. He had a no-hitter going and struck out 10 to that point.
But he started to tire in the fifth inning, when the Mustangs rallied with three runs to make it 7-3.

No matter. Miles Bernstein hit a home run in the bottom of the fifth to put Shorecrest ahead 8-3. The Chargers ended the game by scoring five in the sixth.

Marc Brakeman and John Rothwell each went 2-for-3 to lead Shorecrest's hit parade.

"We came out a little flat," Rothwell said. "But we got our confidence back, turned it on and beat them with our bats. I feel like the offense and the team are starting to come together now."

Shorecrest vs Northside Christian

Wednesday, March 23

Shorecrest 13, Northside Christian 3

The Chargers played Northside Christian in a District 11 game Wednesday afternoon at home. The Chargers scored a run in the 1^st inning when John R. walked and scored on a wild pitch to give the Chargers a 1-0 lead.

In the 2^nd inning Brian K. led off with a double, Will S. singled and John S. singled to drive in 2 runs to make the score 3-0. In the 3^rd inning Marc B. reached on an error, Jon O. walked, Jason K. doubled to drive in a run, a run scored on a wild pitch, Brian K. walked, Will S. grounded out to drive in a run, John R. singled and another run scored on a passed ball to give the Chargers a 7-0 lead.

In the 5^th inning Northside Christian scored 3 runs to cut the lead to 7-3.

 In the bottom of the 5^th inning, Miles B. hit a home run to give the Chargers an 8-3 lead. In the bottom of the 6^th Marc B. led off with a double, Jon O. doubled to drive in a run, and a run scored on Will S’s ground ball. John R. tripled to drive in a run and a run scored on a wild pitch.

Miles B. made a great catch in left field which was the defensive play of the game.

Brian K. pitched 4 1/3 innings to pick up the win. He allowed 3 runs, 3 hits and struck out 11. Austin Rhoads pitched 1 2/3 innings allowing no runs, 1 hit and striking out 1.

Leading for the Chargers:

John S. with 2 hits and 4 RBIs

John R. with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Marc B. with 1 single, 1 double and 2 runs scored

Miles B. with 1 home run, 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Jon O. with 1 double, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored

Jason K. with 1 double, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored

Will s. with 1 single, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored

Austin R. with 1 RBI

Brian K. with 1 double and 2 runs scored

The Chargers will play another Bay Conference game on Friday, March 24 at 4:00 pm, this time facing Seffner Christian. While it is considered a “home” game, it will be played at Campbell Park.

Next week the Chargers will play in Seminole High School’s Annual Steve Georgiadis Tournament which runs from March 28 through April 2, 2011. Their first game will be against Brooks Debartolo at 4:00 pm at Seminole High School. Additional game dates and times will be determined by the outcome of this game.

Shorecrest vs Calvary Christian

Tuesday, March 22

Shorecrest 28, Calvary Christian 0

The Chargers played in a Bay Conference game at home against Calvary Christian on Tuesday afternoon. The Chargers scored 7 runs in the 1^st inning. John R. led off with a base hit. John S. also got a base hit and spencer H. doubled to drive in 2 runs. Marc B. and Jon O. both walked and Jason K. also walked to force in a run. Jake B. drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Austin R. walked. John R. reached on an error and 2 runs scored and a run also scored on a wild pitch to give the Chargers a 7-0 lead.

In the 2^nd inning Marc B. walked and Jon O. tripled to drive in a run. Jason K. singled and drove in a run. Jake B. walked. Austin R. reached on an error. Will S. doubled and drove in 2 runs. John R. singled to drive in a run. John S. also singled. Spencer H. hit a sacrifice fly to drive in a run. Marc B. doubled to drive in 2 runs and a run scored on a wild pitch to make the score 16-0

Will S. led off the 3^rd inning with a double and John R. doubled and drove in a run. John S. doubled and drove in another run. Brian K. doubled to drive in a run. Cody T. was hit by a pitch. Jon O. tripled to drive in 3 runs. Jason K. singled to drive in a run. Miles B. doubled to drive in a run. John R. singled to drive in 2 runs. John S. singled to drive in a run. Brian K. doubled to drive in 2 runs. Jon O. doubled to drive in a run and a run scored on an error to make the score 28-0.

Jason K. and John S. combined pitching a 5 inning no hitter. Jason K. pitched 2 innings, not hits and 5 strikeouts. John S. pitched 3 innings, no hits and 6 strikeouts.

Leading for the Chargers:

Jon O. with 1 single, 2 doubles, 2 triples and 4 RBIs

John R. with 3 singles, 1 double and 3 RBIs

John S. with 3 hits, 1 double and 1 RBI

Jason K. with 3 hits and 3 RBIs

Spencer H. with 1 double, 1 sacrifice fly and 3 RBIs

Will S. with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs

Marc B. 1 double, 3 RBIs

Miles B. with 1 double and 2 RBIs

Austin R. with 1 hit and 1 RBI

Jake B. with 1 RBI

Cody T. with 2 runs

Brian K. with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs

The Chargers will face district rival Northside Christian on Wednesday, March 23 at home at 4:15 pm.

Shorecrest vs Osceola (County) High School

Saturday, March 19

Shorecrest 3, Osceola High School (Kissimmee) 5

The Chargers traveled to Kissimmee and faced a very good 6A baseball team and lost a hard-fought game. Osceola scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 3^rd inning to take a 3-0 lead. Osceola scored 2 more runs in the bottom of the 5^th inning to increase the lead to 5-0.

Brian K.

The Chargers scored a run in the top of the 6^th inning. Jason K. reached on an error and scored on an error to cut the lead to 5-1. In the 7^th inning Spencer H. led off with a base hit. Marc B. hit a 2 run homer to cut the lead to 5-3. The Chargers were unable to score any more runs in the ball game.

Austin R.

Brent R. was injured in the 1^st inning on a ball that hit him in the head and he had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital and has a concussion. Austin R. replaced him at shortstop and made 4 very good defensive plays and played very well at short and he was the defensive player of the game. Jon O. was also outstanding on defense.

Jon O.

Jordan L. pitched 4 2/3 innings and took the loss. He allowed 3 earned runs, 5 hits and had 2 strikeouts. Marc B. pitched 1 1/3 innings and did not allow any hits and had 1 strikeout.

Leading for the Chargers:

Marc B. with 1 home run, 2 RBIs and 1 run scored

Jon O. with 1 single and 1 double

John R. with 1 hit

Spencer H. with 1 hit and 1 run scored

Brian K. with 1 hit

Jason K. with 1 run scored

The Chargers will face Calvary Christian on Tuesday, March 22 at home at 4:15 pm.

Article Posted in "Old Northeast-Downtown St. Pete Patch" - March 18, 2011

Competition Helps Shorecrest Prep Remain in State's Baseball Elite - Coming up one victory short of a state championship last season, Shorecrest Prep baseball coach Don Reed beefed up the Chargers schedule in hopes the tough opponents make the team stronger.

This year he has a singular goal for his team: Be the best. Last year the Chargers were one step away from being the best, advancing to the Class 2A state title game before losing to Miami Westminster.

While the Chargers have to play district foes and conference rivals, the rest of the schedule is wide open. So Reed has gone about peppering his schedule with if not the better teams in the state, with teams representing larger schools

That's why the Chargers are playing Pinellas Park, Osceola, competing in various large school tournaments including the upcoming Seminole High School Steve Georgiadis Memorial tournament.

"The thing is, you like to play the best competition," Reed said. "Outside of our [district] and conference schedule, we want to play as many good teams and big schools as we can play whether they are Class 5A or Class 6A. That is why it is best to compete with those teams so we can play [strong in the postseason]."

Just this week, the Chargers will have played Pinellas Park and Kissimmee Osceola, one of the better baseball program sin the state.

At the Georgiadis tournament, it's likely the Chargers will play Plant City and Bradenton IMG, one of the better teams nationally along with some of the better teams in the state which will compete at the annual Seminole affair.

"I think that playing in that tournament, against that competition, come [postseason] helps us, helps us a lot," Reed said. "The better competition you play the more pressure there is upon you and you know how to play well to be competitive and hopefully that will help us at the end of the year when you play the top Class 2A teams in the state."

So far Shorecrest is living up to its reputation among the state's elite, especially the pitching of Jordan Lindsey who has been mowing down opponents in recent days.

Against Indian Rocks Christian last week, Lindsay fanned 12 Golden Eagles in six innings. A few days later Lindsay came in to pitch relief in the fifth inning with one out and struck out two batters to end the inning.

In the seventh, Lindsay again struck out two and got an infield pop out to end the game.

 

Shorecrest vs Forest High School

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Shorecrest 2, Forest High School 12

The Chargers played Forest High School in Williston on Tuesday afternoon. Forest High School jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1^st inning. They scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 2^nd inning to take a 6-0 lead.

The Chargers scored 2 runs in the 3^rd inning to cut the lead to 6-2. Austin R. led off with a walk. Jake B. reached on an error. Spencer H. walked and Marc B. reached on an error and 2 runs scored.

Forest High School scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 4^th inning to take a commanding 10-2 lead. They scored 2 more runs in the 5^th inning.

Jason K. picked up the loss for the Chargers .Brian K. pitched in relief.

The Chargers will be on the road again traveling to Kissimmee to face Osceola High School on Saturday, March 19at 1:00 pm.

Shorecrest vs Pinellas Park

Monday, March 14, 2011

Shorecrest 7, Pinellas Park 0

John S. walked in the bottom of the 1^st inning and scored on a wild pitch to give the  Chargers a 1-0 lead.

John S.

 Brent R. led off the bottom of the 2^nd inning with a base hit and with 2 outs John R. singled to drive in a run and make the score 2-0. In the 3^rd inning Spencer H. reached on an error, Marc B. doubled, Jon O. grounded out and drove in a run. Brent R. singled, Jason K. doubled and drove in 2 runs to give the Chargers a 5-0 lead.

Brent R.

Spencer H. hit a home run in the bottom of the 5^th inning to make the score 6-0 in favor of the Chargers. Jason K. walked to start the bottom of the 6^th inning and Jake B. singled with 2 outs to drive in a run to make the final score 7-0.

Spencer H.'s 2nd Home Run of the Season!

Jake B.

Marc B. pitched a great game working 5 1/3 innings of shutout baseball allowing only 2 hits and striking out 8. Jordan L. came in in the 6^th inning and pitched 1 2/3 innings striking out 4, allowing no hits and no runs and retiring all 5 batters that he faced.

Marc B.

Leading for the Chargers were:

Brent R. with 2 hits and 2 runs scored

Spencer with 1 home run, 1 RBI and 1 run scored

John R. with 1 hit and 1 RBI

Marc B. with 1 double and 1 run scored

Jon O. with 1 hit and 1 RBI

Jason K. with 1 double, 2 RBIs and 1 run scored

Jake B. with 1 hit and 1 RBI

John S. with 1 run scored

The Chargers will be on the road against Citrus High School at Williston High School at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 15.

Shorecrest vs Indian Rocks Christian

Friday, March 11, 2011

Shorecrest 11, Indian Rocks Christian 1

The Chargers scored a run in the top of the 2^nd inning. Marc B. led off with a base hit and with 2 outs John S. singled to drive in the 1^st run to give the Chargers a 1-0 lead. Indian Rocks Christian scored a run in the bottom of the 4^th inning to tie the game 1-1.

Marc B. and Coach Reed

In the 6^th inning Marc B. led off with a double, Brian K. singled, Andrew R. walked and John S. singled to drive in a run. John R. singled to drive in another run and Brent R. singled to drive in 2 runs. Spencer H. and Jon O. both walked and Marc B. hit a 3 run homer. Jake B. reached on an error,  Andrew R. singled to drive in a run and John S. reached on an error and a run scored to make the score 11-1. The game was called at the end of 6^th inning because of the 10 run rule.

HOME RUN!!

Will S.

Jordan L. pitched a great game working 6 innings allowing only 1 run, 3 hits, 11 strikeouts and no base on balls.

Leading for the Chargers were:

Marc B. with 1 single, 1 double, 1 home run, 4 RBIs and 3 runs scored

Brian K. with 2 hits and 2 runs scored  

John S. with 2 hits, 2 RBIs and 1 run scored

Brent R. with 1 hit and 2 RBIs

John R with 1 hit, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored

Jon O. with 1 hit, 2 RBIs and 1 run

Andrew R. with 1 hit, 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Spencer H. with 1 run scored and 3 walks

The Chargers will play their next game at home against Pinellas Park at 4:15.

Article Posted in "Old Northeast-Downtown St. Pete Patch" - March 12, 2011

Shorecrest Pitcher Marc Brakeman a Big Reason Chargers Are Strong - The Stanford-bound junior is one of the top pitchers in Florida and a dominant player locally. Brakeman possesses a blazing fastball, a biting curve and a change-up that leaves many batters' knees buckled.

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Shorecrest Pitcher Marc Brakeman a Big Reason Chargers Are Strong

Shorecrest Preparatory School

5101 1st St NE, St Petersburg, FL

/listings/shorecrest-preparatory-school

1722568

/locations/3665317

One of the reasons Shorecrest Prep is expected to make it to the Class 2A state baseball tournament is the solid play of pitcher Marc Brakeman.

The junior recently verbally committed to pitch for Stanford after a sophomore season in which he was named Pinellas County Pitcher of the Year and where he struck out 115 batters in 76 innings.

The interesting thing about Brakeman is that he was the Chargers starting catcher.

"He was on the team as an eighth grader and he won the job as staring catcher [as a freshman] in the fourth game of the year," Shorecrest coach Don Reed said.

But Brakeman's catching duties didn't last too much longer as his pitching talents became too obvious to ignore.

Brakeman possesses a blazing fastball, a biting curve and a change-up that leaves many batters' knees buckled.Then there's his mental approach to the game, and to his studies, which is what led him to verbally commit to Stanford.

"I couldn't pass up the mix of academics and athletics," Brakeman said of Stanford. "I want to major in economics and they have one of the top five schools for economics... and they have a top-10 baseball program too."

Brakeman confessed picking Stanford was purely genuine and for academics, though he could use Stanford as some major leverage with a prospective Major League Baseball team, if he is drafted high in next June's amateur draft.

"I hope I am drafted high but education is important to me," Brakeman said. "Obviously if someone would offer me enough money, I would turn pro."

The Chargers' last season came one win away from winning a state title. With the team virtually intact, Shorecrest is a leading candidate to win the state title. Brakeman said he and his teammates welcome the pressure.

"We try not to turn the page completely," Brakeman said. "We know since we did it last year we can do that this year as long as we don't trip up. We have depth, we have hitting, we have pitching and we have one of the best lineups one-to-nine around."