Another gem for Neilan
Timber Creek pitcher Bret Neilan said he expected a tight game in the Class 9A Region 2 final against Tampa Alonso, so it came down to just doing his job.
The junior right-hander more than fulfilled his obligations as he dueled with Ravens’ senior lefty Jordan Butler.
Through five scoreless innings both battled, but the deciding factor came down to their literal matchup as Neilan helped his own cause with a sixth-inning, two-run single to push the Wolves to a 3-0 road win and on to the state tournament.
Neilan (14-0) surrendered just one hit while striking out seven and walking three.
“I definitely thought this was going to be a 1-0, or 3-0, or something-0 kind of game,” Neilan said. “When we finally got those runs, I was really confident going (back) out there.”
Timber Creek (23-7) started the sixth inning with a leadoff single from Nick Ruhl (the first Wolves hit), followed by two runners reaching on a pair of bunts — setting up Neilan’s hit. The Wolves added a run on a Paxson Chambers sac fly.
Timber Creek advances to the state tournament for the fourth time since 2010. The Wolves will play a semifinal on Friday, June 2, in Fort Myers against the Region 3 champion, which is scheduled to be decided today.
That final, pitting Jupiter (21-6-2) against defending state champ Parkland Douglas (22-4), was suspended Tuesday due to rain and lightning with the game tied 4-4 through eight innings.
Hagerty, the Class 7A state runner-up a year ago, will play its state semifinal on Friday, June 2, in Fort Myers against Region 2 champion Sarasota (23-9).
Kyle Mock and Dale Thomas hit RBI singles, and Josh Bates pitched a four-hit shutout to help Bishop Moore beat South Sumter 3-0 in the 5A, Region 2 final.
Bishop Moore (20-10) advances to make its 14th baseball state tournament appearance since 1967 and second in a row. The Hornets will play a Wednesday, May 31, state semifinal game in Fort Myers against Region 3 champion Englewood Lemon Bay (17-9).
The Hornets got a measure of revenge from losing to South Sumter 6-0 in a region final two years ago.
Mock scored both of Bishop Moore’s runs in a 2-1 win vs. Nature Coast Tech last week. This time it was Mock driving in runs.
Mock followed Seth Martin’s leadoff single in the first with an RBI single.
Thomas increased the Hornets’ lead to 2-0 with an RBI single in the top of the second. Mock made it 3-0 in the fifth on a swinging bunt that scored Bobby Spitulski.
After striking out 16 vs. Nature Coast, Bates (5-0) relied more on defense. He benefited from two double plays to erase lead-off hits. Bates allowed walked two and struck out seven.
South Sumter (23-4) starter Matthew Tadlock allowed four hits in four innings.