Sports Brief
Pirates Seek 10th Straight Regional Playoff Berth
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.
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is Celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
A Street Party will take place on Saturday, April 10th from 5:00 to 10:00 pm at the Chamber Building and surrounding area. The Dade City Chamber is located at the corner of
8th St. and Church Ave. in downtown Dade City.
5:00-7:00 pm “Taste of Greater Dade City”
Local Restaurants & Caterers will serve up a sampling of their cuisine.
$1.00 tickets will be available for purchase at the Welcome Table.
You may purchase as many tickets as you like for “tasting” from
Angel Tea Room, Beef ‘O’Brady’s, Chef Larry, Del Carmen, Francesco’s, Manolo’s,
Papa Joe’s, Smitty’s Smokehouse, The Garden Café, and Tom’s.
Come early for best selection, when it’s gone, it’s gone!
Multi-Community Effort Will Help Haitian Earthquake Victims
Joe Potter, Correspondent
Businesses and residents of Dade City, Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel recently worked together to collect wheelchairs, canes, walkers and crutches to help victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake that struck Haiti. Through these efforts, the lives of 88 Haitians will be significantly improved by giving them the gift of freedom of mobility. Some residents of the Driftwood Patio Home and Condominium Development on Wire Road near Zephyrhills High School helped to kick off the drive by taking calls to arrange for pick up of donations that donors could not deliver to the drop off site.
A total of five canes, 16 wheelchairs, 20 sets of crutches, 47 folding walkers and nine boxes of orthotic supplies were collected during the one-week drive.