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Plant city observer
PlantCityObserver.com
BASEBALL / PAGE 9 Graham, now an assistant principal at Newsome. “Not necessarily the talent level they have now, but the winning attitude we had.” Fryrear noted Durant’s first game that year was against a talented Brandon team that featured Chone Figgins, a World Series champion (2002), MLB All-Star (2009) and MLB stolen base leader (2005), along with other talented prospects. Fryrear also had plenty of talent on his Durant team, including current PCHS pitching coach Jeramy Gomer, Durant pitching coach Brent Franklin and Ryan Raburn, who now plays for the Cleveland Indians. “We played Brandon at their place, and Jeramy Gomer was actually on the mound for us, and we beat them,” Fryrear said. “That was the stepping stone to get to the next level.”
SOFTBALL / PAGE 9 and they know this is the part of the season that counts,” Miltner said. “Even beating those teams twice already, I think we will be more focused going into districts. They know that feeling and what that hurt feels like at the end of the season, and they don’t want that to happen again.” The key for the Lady Chargers will be the status of pitcher Sammy Tyler, who suffered a pulled quad against Bartow and missed the next three games. Freshman Scottie Todd has been handling pitching duties since, and Tyler has been in limited action this week and is expected to be ready for district, according to Miltner. After a first-round bye, SCHS
That led to district titles, regional wins and individual successes for Durant players, including Gomer, who pitched for four years in the minor leagues after being drafted by the Cubs out of high school. A rotator cuff injury took him out of baseball, but he eventually found his way back to the Tampa area. He coached at Tampa Bay Tech and Armwood, before joining his old teammate at Plant City this season. “After I got hurt, I was a little bitter and didn’t think I would get into coaching or back into baseball,” Gomer said. “After getting a call from coach Fryrear, I decided to come here and help out.” Gomer is now responsible for developing pitchers, including Long, who is 4-2 with a 1.62 ERA this season. “We’ve got a lot of talent,” Gomer said. “We just have to get these kids to have the right mentality every day.” will face the winner of Leto and Armwood in the second round. The Class 6A District 11 tournament begins April 15, and will be played at Sickles.
DEFENDING THE CROWN
Durant, the defending Class 8A state champion, got off to a shaky start in district play, dropping their first two games before reeling off eight straight. The Lady Cougars are 16-8 overall with two non-district games to play. Durant holds the No. 1 seed in the Class 8A District 7 tournament, and head coach Matt Carter feels good about his team’. “This district has been crazy this year,” Carter said. “Any team can beat you on any particular day, but we’ve been playing pretty
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013
DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
After getting the job this summer, Fryrear wasted no time building his staff and bettering the PCHS program. He led efforts to improve the facilities at PCHS. He also got right to work with a conditioning program. Fryrear saw he had plenty of talent on his team, but many of the players lacked the winning attitude he was used to during his years at Durant, playing at the University of North Florida and in the assistant coaching roles he held before coming to Plant City. “The experience I had at Durant is something I’m trying to teach these boys,” he said. “The system was very strict and structured, but we had fun. These guys are really starting to buy into what we’re trying to do.” It has been a slow and, at times, trying process, but Fryrear feels the team is headed in the right direction. well, and I feel like we’re in a good position.” Carter said his team’s offense has improved throughout the season, and the pitching has been steady, thanks to senior Paige Davis. Defensive changes after those two district losses also have made a big difference. The Lady Cougars will have the benefit of having the experience of winning a state title, along with hosting this year’s district tournament. “We’ve got as much maturity and good leaders as we did last year, and they know that we have a target on our back,” Carter said. “From here on, it’s our destiny to write.” The Class 8A District 7 tournament begins April 15. Durant has
Matt Mauney
Head coach Mike Fryrear has put together a talented and experienced staff to get Plant City to the next level, including fellow Durant grad Jeramy Gomer and infield and dugout coach Byron Humphrey. “It is more stress than I’ve ever had as an individual,” Fryrear said about being a head coach. “I thought getting my master’s in coaching in college was hard, but this has been one of the most dif-
ficult and daunting tasks. But, I love it. Getting these guys headed in the right direction — that’s what it’s all about.” Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.
a first-round bye and will play the winner of Newsome and Alonso.
“Our last district game against Riverview was big for us,” Sawyer said. “Noelle pitched a great game and only gave up one walk.” Offensively, Plant City has been led by Dietrich, University of South Florida commit Kristen Wyckoff, junior Kacie Booth and freshmen Becca Sorensen. “Our hitting has definitely improved over the last few weeks, and Kacie Booth and Becca Sorensen have been playing very well, defensively,” Sawyer said. Plant City will have the first round bye as the No. 1 seed. “Having the top seed is huge for us,” Sawyer said. “Everyone is pumped up, and the momentum is good for this time of year.” Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.
RAIDERS ROLLING
After an 0-3 start to the season, Plant City found its rhythm. The Lady Raiders are 15-6 overall and 10-0 in Class 7A District 8 under first-year head coach Amanda Sawyer. Plant City holds the No. 1 seed in the district tournament, which begins April 15, at East Bay. Plant City entered the season with an inexperienced pitching staff, but that has been one of the strong points of this year’s team. The Lady Raiders have allowed only six runs in their 10 district games, thanks to sophomore Noelle Dietrich and freshman Alexis Williams.
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