Seffner Christian dominates in 9-1 victory over Tampa Prep

Seffner Christian senior Addy Scott hit his eighth and ninth home run as the Crusaders defeated Tampa Prep on Thursday (813Preps file photo).

By Lily Belcher, Staff Writer

SEFFNER – Seffner Christian Coach Sal Giardina tells senior Addy Scott not to check his stats. So, the Crusader’s outfielder didn’t know he was just two homeruns shy of leading the state when he came into Thursday’s 9-1 win over Tampa Prep.

After the Crusaders (11-2) picked up an early lead with five runs across two innings, including homeruns by seniors Garrett Morgan and Ethan Duncan, Scott knocked his eighth homerun of the season over the centerfield fence. He sent his ninth homer over the fence during his next at bat in the fourth

“I get too caught up in [the stats] and it just screws with me on the field. So, this year, I’ve just been keeping up just game-by-game,” he said.

Giardina said Scott has “come a long way” and his discipline is coming together this year.

“We’re hitting the ball this year. Guys are going with the right approach to the plate,” Giardina said about the Crusaders offense.

Seffner Christian capitalized on walks and loaded bases to drive in nine runs. The Crusaders have hit 21 home runs this season, four of which came during the afternoon rivalry match up.

“I mean they’re a good team. Big game,” Scott said.Duncan pitched the complete game against the Terrapins (8-7) for his fifth win of the season.

The offensive production provided some cushion on the bump for Duncan, but he ultimately didn’t need it, giving up just one run in the top of the second.

“We’ve just been hitting the crap out of the ball,” he said. “…It feels like, one through nine, everybody’s a tough out.”

The Crusaders’ ace said his strikeout numbers weren’t where he wanted them to be against the Terrapins, but the defense was able to back him up. He tossed seven strikeouts and gave up five hits in the seven-frame outing.

He said both coaches were “a little frustrated” by calls made by the umpire, but it didn’t keep his team from making plays.

Giardina said he was proud of Duncan for maintaining his composure on the mound despite tough calls.

“When you have a field like I do and everybody’s making plays,” Duncan said, “you can just live down there and keep the pitch count low.”

Duncan, who threw 100 pitches on the mound, applauded the efforts of the offense, especially Scott and Morgan’s homeruns.

“Just to get to tag some early just gave him the confidence on the mound and we just coasted from there,” Scott said.

Seffner Christian will host Keswick tomorrow afternoon and Tampa Prep will host Bay Port Saturday morning.

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#10 Seffner Christian 9, Tampa Prep 1

T 010|000|0 – |1|5|0
S 233|100|x – |9|8|1
W – Duncan (5-1); L – Akins (1-1)
2B – Miranda (T); Scott (S); HR – Morgan, Duncan, Scott 2 (S). Records – T (8-7); S (11-2).

 

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