Pitch limit rules are in play today

Baseball region tournament postponements added a new wrinkle to the game plan for area coaches last week due to the Florida High School Athletic Association pitch count policy.

Timber Creek’s Bret Neilan threw 103 pitches in Friday’s 4-3 win at Kissimmee Osceola, which means he would not be available to pitch the Class 9A region final if it is played as scheduled tonight.

Neilan and the Wolves are lined up to host Vero Beach (26-2), which won its rain-delayed Monday region semifinal, at 7 tonight according to the FHSAA format. But Timber Creek athletic director Jim Priest and baseball coach Tim Beaman said Monday that their field was under water due to the heavy rain that has fallen since last week — and may be unplayable today.

The pitch limit policy requires four days of rest for pitchers who toss 76 or more pitches in a game. If the region final is pushed back to Wednesday, Neilan could pitch.

Beaman said the pitching rules did not determine his game plan on Friday at Osceola.

“It becomes a factor, but you’ve just got to win the game that’s in front of you then pitch your next guy in the next game if it comes to that,” Beaman said. “If you save your pitchers and lose, then you’re going home anyway.”

Senior Preston Schumacher will likely start for the Wolves tonight if the game is not postponed due to rain or unplayable field conditions. Beaman said he could be the starter even if the game is pushed back.

“We’ve just got to prepare our entire staff to pitch,” Beaman said. “And whenever their numbers are called on they’ve got to go out and perform.”

Lake Mary, which won a weather-shortened five-inning game Thursday vs. Port Orange Creek, is set to host Dr. Phillips in the 9A Region 1 final. Hagerty travels to Lakeland George Jenkins (25-3) in 8A.

DP and Hagerty both played region semifinals Friday but will not be affected by the pitch count policy in games today.

Here are the updated Sentinel Super Six baseball rankings (with previous ranking and win-loss record in parenthesis):

— Albert Duran hit a threerun homer for the Rams in a 3-2 win over Port Orange Spruce Creek in five innings.

— Season ended in Class 5A region semis with 3-0 loss at Brooksville Nature Coast Tech.

— Wolves held off Osceola rally on go-ahead RBI by Bret Neilan in sixth inning for 4-3 win.

— Huskies scored five runs over the first three innings in 5-1 win over St. Cloud.

— Kowboys season ended in 4-3 loss to 9A defending state champ Timber Creek.

— Hawks led 2-0 entering the fourth inning before Lake Mary rallied to win.

Lake Brantley (18-10), Cypress Creek (20-5), Apopka (18-7), Lake Howell (16-10), Dr. Phillips (17-13), The First Academy (19-9).