Plant at Alonso: Dream matchup or naptime?

On paper, not even we could have dreamed up a better game than Friday's non-district tilt between Plant and Alonso. It features two of the top teams in Hillsborough County, not to mention the top two teams in our Times' Hillsborough County Super Seven.

And to add to the drama, it might feature a matchup between the county's top two pitchers: Alonso's Alex Panteliodis (7-0, 1.30 ERA) and Plant's Mychal Givens (6-0, 0.49 ERA)

But here's the problem. The next day, both teams will play their first game of the Saladino Tournament at UT. In fact, the Ravens (14-1) have will open the tournament with a 1 p.m. start against Wesley Chapel just 18 hours against their first pitch at Plant (16-1). The Panthers open with a 7 p.m. game against Jefferson.

That leaves both coaches figuring out how to use their pitchers heading into the week-long tournament. Panteliodis, for example, had pitched in early-week games, but Alonso coach Landy Faedo said he won't use his ace tomorrow night and will save him "for later in the week." That's not a guarantee A.P. will pitch against Plant, but we think Faedo is entertaining the idea of pitching his ace against the Panthers.

Meanwhile, Plant coach Dennis Braun wouldn't commit on Friday's starter, only saying that "We have a lot other things to play for" since it's a non-district game.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Comments

[bigbbfan]

GO RAVENS!!!

[ravendad]

yeh , braun would say that . alonso is coming for plant , on friday and AT SALADINO they are sick of hearing about plant and i'm sure alot of other teams are just as sick of them as we are . #12 in the state , give me a break ! oh yea , plant can't get out of districts either , thank GOD for small favors . remember , they're are other teams besides plant !

[mike]

hey im from plant, and all i have to say is.. shouts out to all our haters! keep hating on us,and we'll keep winning