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Pirates Seek 10th Straight Regional Playoff Berth

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

When the District 4A-7 baseball tournament opens next week at Death Valley the Pasco Pirates will be looking for its fifth straight district title and 10th consecutive trip to the state regional tournament. Six of those nine regional playoff berths have come as district champions. Those district titles came in 2001, ‘03 and ‘06 through ‘09. The Big Red was runners-up in ‘02, ‘04 and ‘05.

Coach RICK GILES Pirates will not enter this year’s tournament as the favorite, but are given a good chance of finishing second and earning their 10th straight state regional tourney berth. Coach Giles does not agree with this prediction. He believes his Pirates can earn their 10th straight regional berth and the team’s fifth straight district championship. The team to beat for a district title is the Wesley Chapel Wildcats

The Pirates led by pitchers BRENNAN ALLEN, CHRIS DIOUS and KEVIN GUDE are hoping not to face the Wildcats before the championship game. The final seeding will determine which playoff game Allen will pitch. If the Pirates reach the semifinals it could be Allen to try to nail down a regional playoff berth. Another district title would be nice, clinching a playoff berth is more important.

Offensive wise the Pirates will count on the bats of TREY DUDLEY-GILES, COLE STANCIL TYLER BROCK, and Allen. Should the Pirates face the Wildcats either in the semifinals or finals they will have to prove they can beat the ‘Cats for the first time this season. The Big Red will have to successfully swing the bats against some strong Wesley Chapel pitching led by Cole MIRAGLIA and BRANDON MUMAW.

With both The Pirates and Wildcats having a good season coach Giles is expecting a good crowd for the seven team tournament. Thanks to the Florida High School Activities Association, realignment has placed the Zephyrhills Bulldogs in District 4A-8. That tournament also begins next week.