Rays @ BoSox: Guyer out for the season, Jennings close to returning and lineups

Posted May 25, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 25, 2012 at 06:09 PM

ROGER MOONEY
BOSTON OF Brandon Guyer will miss the rest of the season because of a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Guyer, on the DL since May 16 with what was believed to be a shoulder strain sustained while taking batting practice in Baltimore on May 13, will miss the rest of the season.

In other injury news, LF Desmond Jennings (left knee sprain) will begin a minor league rehab assignment by the middle of next week.

Carlos Peña will bat leadoff tonight against the Red Sox at Fenway Park for the third straight game. Joe Maddon moved Sean Rodriguez from third to second base and will play Drew Sutton at third.

Alex Cobb makes his second start of the season. He will be opposed by BoSox lefty Jon Lester.

The Rays begin the night one-game behind the first place Orioles.

Here are the lineups:

RAYS
Peña 1B
Upton CF
Scott DH
Zobrist RF
Joyce LF
Rodriguez 2B
Sutton 3B
Gimenez C
Johnson SS
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Cobb RHP (1-0, 2.57)

RED SOX
Aviles SS
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Gonzalez 1B
Youkilis 3B
Saltalamacchia C
Nava LF
Byrd RF
Podsednick CF
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Lester LHP (3-3, 3.95)

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USF softball: It’s game day

Posted May 25, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated May 25, 2012 at 01:23 PM

It’s game day for the University of South Florida softball program. The Bulls say the clock couldn’t be moving any slower.

USF (48-11) is preparing for tonight’s NCAA Super Regional meeting with the Hofstra Pride (41-13) at the USF Softball Stadium. Game 1 already is a sellout (first pitch at 7 p.m., gates open at 6). The best-of-three series continues Saturday at 2:30 and a decisive third game (if necessary) would be played at 5. All the games will be telecast on ESPNU.

For now, though, the first-game anticipation has reached its peak.

“We want to play so bad,’’ USF sophomore shortstop Kourtney Salvarola said. “We are so eager to get out there. We wish it already would’ve happened. We’re excited, so when it all starts, we’ll be very happy.’‘

“The waiting is the worst part,’’ said USF senior third baseman Jessica Mouse, a transfer from LSU who is playing in her first Super Regional event. “We’re so excited to be playing in front of our family, friends and fans. And now that it’s a sellout? That’s crazy. It’s going to be great and we want to play great.’‘

This weekend’s Super Regional winner advances to Oklahoma City and the Women’s College World Series, which begins Thursday.

Runs will be at a premium tonight. The expected starters are sophomore left-hander Sara Nevins (29-5) for USF and junior right-hander Olivia Galati (33-5) for Hofstra, two of the nation’s best pitchers. Nevins was in the final 10 for the USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Year, but didn’t make Thursday’s cut to the final three.

USF coach Ken Eriksen, while acknowledging the fan excitement, said he and his players are focused on keeping things as normal as possible.

“The fans will get really jacked up because they cheer for colors and I get that aspect of it,’’ Eriksen said. “There’s a lot of loyalty, a lot of pride when your university is on the cusp of doing something enormous. But these kids are 18 to 22 years old. We have to keep doing what we’ve been doing.

“Let’s not make this complicated. It’s a game of high-level catch and throw, hit the ball and run your butt off. We’re not changing anything in terms of our approach. We are prepared and now we just need to play the way we’re capable of playing.’‘

USF obviously has an advantage playing at home in its 2-year-old stadium, which will swell to 1,500 fans tonight (in the seats, along the berms, by the railings, maybe even stationed in an outfield tree or two). Another advantage: The Bulls took a bus trip to their NCAA regional at Gainesville. Hofstra, meanwhile, was shipped to Los Angeles. Its players arrived back in New York late Monday night. Galati, on Tuesday, admitted to some fatigue as she slept in until about 11 a.m. Hofstra was on a plane to Tampa on Wednesday.

“I think you’ve got to worry about us and you can’t worry about the other team,’’ Eriksen said. “Look, these are young kids. They’re going to bounce back. This is an exhilarating time. There are only 16 (Division I) teams still playing. The other 304 are back home. If you can’t get jacked up for this, then you’re in the wrong sport and you have the wrong mentality.’‘

Hofstra coach Bill Edwards, a long-time friend of Eriksen, said he hasn’t focused on the Pride’s travel itinerary.

“It has been a whirlwind experience, coast to coast,’’ Edwards said. “If you stop and think about it, yes, it is difficult. But it beats being home and having your season over. If we’re going through some minor inconveniences, the thrill of being here and the opportunity to play for the World Series, that trumps everything.’‘

Edwards said he will play up the underdog role with his team.

“All of our kids are from the Northeast and that’s our recruiting philosophy,’’ Edwards said. “We try to get the best players in the Northeast and take them as far as we can take them. We’d like to show the rest of the country, even though our region doesn’t get much respect, that we can play.

“We’re the only private school left in the field. We’re kind of playing for the little guy. The Super Regionals are filled with schools from BCS conferences and we’re the little guy playing for the Northeast region, the mid-majors, all the teams that are not BCS. We take that role to heart. We’re an old-school program, one that works very hard, and we are very focused on the task at hand.’‘

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Weekly Tampa Bay fishing report

Posted May 25, 2012 by TBO.com

Updated May 25, 2012 at 10:23 AM

By JIM LEE

Fishing results and tips for freshwater and saltwater spots, including Tampa Bay and area locations.

Freshwater

Pan fish catches are easing off a bit as we move away from the dark of the moon. The next full moon is June 4th. In the meantime, troll beetle spins or other similar lures and pick up good numbers of bluegill and shellcracker.

Bass action remains excellent in the summer mode. Fish early and late, but don’t forget night bass fishing. You can troll or drift artificial worms in the deeper haunts or wait until the dewfall and fish top water lures for the big boys that finally come near the shoreline. Lakes Panasoffkee, Okeechobee and Istokpoga are always good for bass action. Live shiners seem to get the larger fish most of the time.     

KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Bluegill and shellcracker are still being caught, but catches are spotty. Bass action is excellent. Limits of bass up to 6 and 8 pound range are being taken. Lake Kissimmee bass catches are very consistent.                 

LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Great pan fish catches along with bass makes angler’s day this week. Bluegill and shellcracker are not hard on the beds, but can be caught in decent numbers if you work at it. Bass catches to 6 pounds was common.                 

LAKE OKEECHOBBEE: Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort, 800-473-6766: Despite a few windy and rainy days, bass catches have been up to par for the most part. Good catches to 8 pounds are the norm in South Okeechobee. Live shiner fishing is finding most of the big bass.         

LAKE ROUSSEAU and the Withlacoochee: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Captain Frank is on vacation in the Florida Keys this week and is having a fun fishing trip. He is fishing with only a fly rod for bonefish and barracuda.                           

LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: You can always catch a bluegill/shellcracker dinner here. However the bass action has been the main attraction. The next full moon however will be a different story and cabins will be booked. Bass catches have been very good.         

Saltwater

Tarpon is the new main event and will run all summer. Tarpon catches are getting stronger, as most guides that specialize in tarpon have shifted to them. Large tarpon moved through the Homosassa area last week with more to likely follow. The boat battle at Boca Grand has begun with boats so thick you could walk from one to the other. Over 200 boats in the pass make for an interesting day. Tarpon, bull sharks and hammer head sharks abound there now. Tarpon are also at the Skyway Bridge and moving along the beaches.

The summer cobia are here as are the flounder. While trout fishing have a cobia rig ready. Permit are moving on the wrecks and soon may be closer in on the artificial reefs. In state waters out to 9 miles you can catch red, black, Yellowfin, yellowmouth, rock hind and scamp grouper. The bad news is that most of what grouper you will find will be undersized red grouper.

Mackerel are a good easy catch. You can find them in the passes or just troll a Clark or similar spoon. Fish the outgoing tide.

Lower Tampa bay still has cobia, bluefish, mackerel, trout and snook. Snook have moved outside in many areas and are also moving to the barrier islands. Fish the outside beaches at daylight in 6 inches of water. Fly rods work well here. You can also find snook in the backwaters around Ruskin. 

Offshore, there is no report on gag grouper. Soon they will move to deeper water if they haven’t already. Red grouper are still mostly only 18 inches and under and to keep one they have to be 20 inches.                             

10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Corey McMillin, (239) 695-4420: NO REPORT. 

SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: Tarpon turned their nose up at live crabs on one trip. Another fly trip was about the same. However for three days straight, he jumped a lot of tarpon with several hookups on live crabs. Fishing the Sarasota Bay, trout blues and redfish were taken. 

RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Mackerel, trout, bluefish, flounder and redfish were the catch this week. But the catch of the day were a group of big mackerel.

SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: A great place to fish. With the high number of species available a day on the water in this area can be fantastic. Fish under the Skyway Bridge for tarpon. Use an anchor buoy for releasing your boat if you have one. It is faster than pulling your anchor and with a big tarpon on, seconds count. Fish the islands outside the bridge for redfish. Trout, flounder, redfish, mackerel and bonnet head sharks are still being caught.                   

LOWER TAMPA BAY: Captain Tony Frankland, (813) 915-8541: The Ruskin back country is the go-to place for snook. Fish the creeks and blind cast into the nooks and crannies you find there. However excellent action is happening out in the bay with mackerel, trout, and bluefish.                                                   

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Cody’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 884-3100: Redfish are at the creek mouths, the residential canals and canal ‘A’. This is the normal places for reds all summer. Snook will also be found in these areas, but fish the outgoing tide at the mouths of the creeks. Fish all along the ‘A’ canal for snook… Some bull sharks are still in the upper bay. Swim with care.                 

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Tarpon are on the move which means now is the time for you to catch them. Live bait, lures or flies all work well. Regardless, a 100 pound tarpon on any tackle is a formidable adversary. Captain Paul is on top of the tarpon, so if you want to add a 100-pound fish to your trophy list, go for them now. Also look for trout, redfish, mackerel and pompano.                                 

FISHING PIERS: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Expect the unexpected. Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for Mangrove snapper, trout, redfish, perhaps a flounder, Spanish mackerel or even a stray tarpon. Grouper are off limits to keep. 

MID-PINELLAS PARTY BOATS: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard’s John’s Pass Marina and Kingfish dock, (727) 393-1947: Gag grouper are not in season. But catching is still fun. If it is fishing you want, the gag grouper bite is fantastic this time of year and there are plenty of them. Mostly small red grouper are available by the ton, but are also on the no keep list as well as all other groupers. Gray snapper are big and there are plenty of them to keep. Go offshore for a deep sea fishing extravaganza. Fish the deeper waters for great mangrove snapper catches. Black sea bass, porgies are also on the list.           

GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: The Gandy Bridge is closed to fishing. However, Gandy Bait and Tackle is the place to go in this area for live bait and tackle and information. Weedon Island fishing is good with a lot of redfish taken by wade fishermen. Trout, redfish, and snook are also being caught. Tarpon are beginning to move into Tampa Bay, so get ready to rock a 100 pound fish.                 

CLEARWATER TO DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Fish the passes and beach for tarpon. Snook are on the outside of the barrier islands. Mackerel are thick in the passes. Chum on the outgoing tide. This area is prone to good redfish catches in the summer months on the shoreline. Smaller trout are on the flats, but the larger trout will be in the passes and deeper spots. Mackerel will cut you off, so be sure to use the proper leader, like Tyger leader.               

TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809 or (727) 808-6688: Tarpon are on the outside of the barrier islands. Redfish, summer flounder and cobia can be found on the flats. A few trout and snook will also be found. Snook have moved to the outside of the creeks and rivers and on the outside of the barrier islands. 

KEATON BEACH (PERRY): One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Great trout catches reported with pictures to prove it. Most of the trout are being taken under a Cajun Thunder Float in 3.5 to 4.5 feet deep water. Among the legal size trout, many were over 21 inches. Some mackerel and redfish are also being taken. Fish live pinfish, top water plugs and under Thunder Spin floats for best results.

HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Captain Frank is on a businessman’s holiday and is fishing in the Florida Keys. Tune in next week.

WEEKIWACHEE: Captain Steve Soults, Angling Adventures (352) 686-0853: NO REPORT.                               

FLY FISHING: Tarpon off the beaches, snook on the beaches makes it the best of both worlds. The bigger trout are best caught in the drops and deeper waters. Ambush a tarpon on the beaches and passes. Make sure you have at least a 10 weight or better fly rod for those big boys. Go thrash the water.

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Rays at BoSox: Rivalry renewed

Posted May 25, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 25, 2012 at 08:07 AM

ROGER MOONEY
BOSTON This weekend series between the Rays and Red Sox could be billed as the battle of survivors.

The Rays have 10 players on the disabled list while the Red Sox have 13.

Brandon Allen (right quad strain) is eligible to come off the disabled list today and could rejoin the team this weekend.

Desmond Jennings (left knee sprain) is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday, but won’t because he needs a few at-bats in minor league games to get ready.

There was talk Hideki Matsui would join the team on this road trip, but that went away with Matsui’s slow start at Durham. He’s batting .121 in nine games

Alex Cobb makes his Fenway Park debut tonight as the Rays open a three-game series in Boston. A native of Boston, Cobb and his family moved to Vero Beach when he was 2. He visited family in New England every summer and usually found his way to Fenway Park.

A Red Sox fan as a kid, a former spring training bat boy for the Dodgers at Dodgertown, Cobb now gets to face his boyhood team.

Cobb, who made his season debut with seven strong innings against the Braves last Saturday and picked up the win in the 5-2 victory, will be opposed by Jon Lester (3-3, 3.95). Lester is 10-6 with a 3.91 ERA in his career against the Rays.

B.J. Upton brings a .300 batting average into tonight’s game, his highest average at this point of the season since June 10, 2008.

The Red Sox, even without the services of Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury (two of the baker’s dozen on the DL), have won 10 of their last 13.

The Rays are scuffling a little, having won eight of their last 16 games.

The Rays begin the day one game back of the first-place Orioles.

The Red Sox are last in the division with a 22-22 record, 5 ½ back of the O’s. The Red Sox have yet to break .500 this year.

The Red Sox took three of the four games against the Rays at Fenway back in April. The teams split a two-game series at the Trop last week.

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Karen Cooley returns as Zephyrhills girls swimming coach

Posted May 25, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated May 25, 2012 at 07:01 AM

Zephyrhills principal Steve Van Gorden announced early Friday morning that Karen Cooley will return as the Bulldogs girls swimming coach.

“Coach Cooley brings a level of eagerness and commitment to the program that will show immediate benefits,” Van Gorden said in a e-mail. “Partnered with boys swim coach Brian Vaile, (they) will provide a strong foundation that will build the program for years to come.”

Cooley returns plenty of experience to her position, coaching Zephyrhills from 1999-2003. Prior to that she coached Land O’ Lakes swimming from 1996-1999.

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunasTrib.

Follow us on Facebook here and Twitter here.

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Sweet Leslie remembered

Posted May 25, 2012 by TBO.com

Updated May 27, 2012 at 12:48 AM

Being in charge of Tom’s writings, certain columns come to mind as being so special that they stand out among all of his good works. This one is like that. He captured the poignancy of a horrible disease taking the life of a wonderful young girl and the grief the family must have suffered. Tom could always express what most people were thinking but couldn’t write as eloquently as he did about this tragedy. - Linda  

——————

Sweet Leslie

January 18,1981

Lovely Leslie Walbolt, the vivacious daughter of educators, a runner an equestrian, died much too young, but I learned of her gallant fight for life, those who were with her all the way and felt compelled to write about it.
Readers in great numbers said she was an inspiration.

The running feet of sweet Leslie Walbolt are stilled now, the eyes that forever sparkled closed, her last smile a precious memory for her family
Sweet Leslie, brave Leslie, uncomplaining Leslie, died peacefully this week past in her own bed, holding the hands of her parents, leaving legacies of love, and courage, and confidence that she would live again.

Services were held for sweet Leslie Friday at St. Mary’s amidst thoughtful celebration of the gifts she gave while here, amidst a remarkable outpouring of respect and ro­mance for this selfless girl/child from her own legions of friends and those of her attentive parents, Dan and Sylvia Walbolt, and her young brother, Danny. Leslie Walbolt was only 13.

It was when she was 11, about this time in 1979, that the family and her doctor thought the bone cancer discovered in January of 1978 was in remission and that she, like her father, would beat the scourge.

It was then, when she was 11, in early February, 1979, that I wrote a column on the Walbolts, titled, the family that runs together, lives together.

Her dad, Dan, a former athlete, a lawyer, and then and now the University of South Florida vice president for student affairs, had completely whipped his malignancy, Hodgkin’s Disease. He was fit and trim, a distance major contributor to his victory, which remains complete. Oh, he’d been through the chemotherapy and all of the other pains of the struggle.

Came January, 1978, four years after her dad’s most important triumph, and Leslie was hit with the bone cancer. ” Hers was different. It was cancer but it was not lymphoma, not Hodgkin’s. Hers was different from mine and not traceable to me,” said her dad.

It came as Leslie had taken full-bore to horseback riding and to her studies. What a student she was then.  What a student she was to the last.

She took all of the treatments; lost her hair and was most identifiable in her school by the bandana she wore, by those dancing eyes and perpetual smile. Her parents had been told she’d not make it through the year of 1978.

So it was that the Walbolts in February, 1979, shared their story with me, and through me with some of you. She was loving life and school and rode horses, gently, and Berkeley was her school.

“Last June,” said her mother Sylvia, herself a practicing Tampa attorney, “she had finished the seventh grade and was reading for the eight. But she began to feel bad again and the checks began.

“It was back. Oh, we took her everywhere. She had every kind of test, painful tests, but it could not be isolated. They called for surgery.

“The cancer was in her liver and in her kidneys and bone marrow.-It was obvious now it was a matter of time.”

But as she could, she and the family went about their business and their activities. She was a devoted Tampa Bay Rowdie fan and often there. Her adopted Tampa Attor­ney Tom MacDonald, was a frequent companion and would be a confidante in the last days. He also would speak at the funeral services, along with Attorney Reece Smith and Judge Tom Clark.

I saw her at the Rowdie games in the late summer and she was bright and chipper and unafraid and optimistic.

Later, she would go to Rowdie games in a wheelchair, and it was there MacDonald gave her a soccer ball with Rowdie signatures, a gift she cherished, just as she would cherish the game jersey Florida wide receiver Cris Collinsworth wore in the Tangerine Bowl, sent her by him through MacDonald.

“Knowing what a Gator fan Tom was thrilled here. He was the last one Leslie spoke to. She went into a coma last Saturday and slept the rest of the time.

“It was best,” said her mother. “She had been in horrid pain. Toward the end, she could not move anything but her eyes, but they sparkled to the last.”

Father George Gentry would talk of the sparkle in her eyes at the last rites.

He was giving her a final communion and in for her to see a candle her brother had given her for Christmas and, “I reached over and I saw the candle reflect in her eyes and I saw something I have never seen before. Oh, may she rest in peace.”

Peace came, her mother said, “with us all in the room. For weeks her dad and I shared sleeping to keep her home, and we did.

“So when Leslie died, she died in her own bed and she died with all of her grandparents, with all of us in the room. Dan called us in. He sensed it.

“He had bold of one hand I hold of the other. She was so peaceful.

It was beautiful. What a brave girl she was. My daughter went with class. I’m proud of her.

“I don’t know if people can really believe this, but Leslie never once complained. Not of pain, not to the last.”

“I sensed,” said her dad, “at the end a remarkable confidence. She seemed to know she was going to some other place. And it is impossible for me to see the great spirit this young girl passed and not believe that there isn’t a reward for her somewhere.”

“The running? Sure,” said her mother. “I am convinced it prolonged her life. I know it made it happier, as it made our lives happier. Danny has become an accomplished runner. Dan is a marathoner now.”

With her classmates assemble, some in the choir, with her riding class there, Leslie lay in a closed coffin over which MacDonald said, “I was privileged to see an indescribable light of joy in the eyes of Leslie Walbolt.”

Judge Clark spoke of her “spiritual grace” as a person who, despite her youth, “had an ability to know God’s will.”
Attorney Smith, once acting president of USF, said Leslie Walbolt “taught us what courage really means. Though she didn’t live long, she gave us a gift of love and of example.”

“My daughter,” said her mother, “was a great little lady.”

Saints are for elevation by others, but if ever there was one saintly among us here, surely it was sweet Leslie Waslbolt.
 
“Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” - John 11:26

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USF beats Pitt, stays alive

Posted May 25, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated May 25, 2012 at 12:15 AM

CLEARWATER – Staying alive.

The University of South Florida Bulls accomplished that mission on Thursday night. They defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 12-5 in the Big East Conference baseball tournament at Bright House Field – under some difficult circumstances.

“It was a good win,’’ USF coach Lelo Prado said. “It was also a pretty long day.’’

Before lightning and rain entered the area, causing a delay of three hours, 38 minutes, No. 4-seeded USF (35-21) had raced to a 6-0 third-inning lead against the No. 8 Panthers in an elimination game. USF momentum continued after the delay as the Bulls added three more runs, sending 13 total batters up in the inning.

Prado said his players spent some of the rain delay watching the Miami Heat’s Game 6 clinching victory against the Indiana Pacers – “Half of our team is from Miami, so they were excited’’ – and were in a relaxed state of mind despite the inactivity.

“We swung the bats well,’’ Prado said. “That’s the way I expect us to swing the bats. We got up (before the rain delay) and I was certainly more relaxed. Then we came back out and kept swinging the bats, so that was a good thing.’’

USF advanced into another elimination game tonight at 6. USF meets the loser between No. 1 Louisville and No. 5 Connecticut, which saw their Thursday nightcap pushed into this morning at 11. Thursday’s rain made for a long USF night, but it might work into the Bulls’ favor tonight.

Either way, USF will face a team that is playing its second game of the day. Louisville is well-positioned this morning with ace right-hander Justin Amlung (8-3, 2.16 ERA), the Big East pitcher of the year, ready for duty. So the Bulls, who were placed into a continual a must-win situation at the double-elimination event after dropping their Wednesday night opener against UConn 7-2, could be facing the Huskies again.

“It’s eight great teams and you’re going to get a great game no matter who you play,’’ USF center fielder James Ramsay said.

“We’ve just got to keep winning, keep fighting,’’ Prado said. “One game at a time. You can’t look beyond the next game.’’

Tonight, the Bulls will start senior left-hander Matt Reed (4-3, 2.92), a weekday starter who developed into a more prominent role as the season progressed.

“I’m glad for this win (against Pittsburgh) because I wanted to get Matt a game,’’ Prado said. “He deserves a game. He has done a great job for us.’’

Prado was able to preserve relievers Nick Gonzalez and Austin Adams, so the Bulls have a reasonably well-stocked bullpen heading into tonight’s game.

USF’s Thursday night starter was right-hander Derrick Stultz (8-1), a second-team All-Big East selection, who worked two scoreless innings. Stultz was removed following the lengthy delay for right-hander Joey Lovecchio, who allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings. Jannick Serrallong, a left-hander who had made only six previous appearances, pitched the final 2 2/3 innings.

The Bulls’ staff received ample support during USF’s eight-run third inning, when the first nine batters reached base. Luis Llerena and Zac Gilcrease each had two-run singles, while Ramsay added a two-run double. Jimmy Falla also produced an RBI double. Overall, Pittsburgh (28-28) aided USF’s effort by committing six errors.

The Bulls had 12 hits, highlighted by the performances of Falla (3-for-5 with three RBIs) and Ramsay (2-for-4 with two RBIs).

Although weather prevented Stultz from a longer stint, he considered it another chapter in a successful comeback season. Stultz, a Wharton High School product, missed two full seasons with elbow and shoulder injuries before re-emerging this year.

“Times were hard,’’ Stultz said before the game. “I was out of the game for a long time. So this season had a lot of meaning for me. Any kid’s dream, and mine in particular, is to play baseball. I didn’t want to give up on that dream.

“I think this has taught me how to face adversity. It made me into the person I am today. Everybody thought I was done, but I came back and helped this team. Just coming back and contributing to this season, it has meant the world to me.’’

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The Nerds head north

Posted May 24, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 24, 2012 at 07:08 PM

ROGER MOONEY
Elliot Johnson (above) and Joel Peralta (below) displayed their inner nerd this afternoon before boarding the Rays charter flight to Boston.

Joe Maddon thought up the Ken Rosenthal/Nerd road trip theme to raise money for BowTie Cause, a philanthropic initiative started by former NFL linebacker Dhani Jones.

Rosenthal, the Fox baseball reporter, wears a bow tie to raise money for charities.

The BowTie Cause donated $100 per bow tie for 30 ties, raising $3,000 to benefit 18 charities.

Rosenthal, who is in Boston in anticipation of Fox’s broadcast of the Rays-Red Sox on Saturday night, tweeted he will meet the Rays plane and judge the nerdiest Ray.

To see a gallery of the nerdy Rays, click here.

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Jeffrey Shank out as Gulf boys basketball coach

Posted May 24, 2012 by Andy Villamarzo

Updated May 24, 2012 at 04:51 PM

Jeffrey Shank is no longer employed at Gulf High and is out as boys basketball coach, according to Buccaneers athletic director Travis DeWalt.

“Jeffrey Shank is no longer employed at Gulf High School,” DeWalt said Thursday afternoon. “We’re looking to fill the position as soon as possible. That’s our timeframe for hiring someone at this moment.”

DeWalt stated he has no further comments on the situation.

In Shank’s lone season as basketball coach, he led the Buccaneers to a 10-14 record, with the season ending with a Class 5A-District 8 quarterfinal loss to Ridgewood 62-55.

Shank was tabbed as the successor after the 2010-2011 season when former Gulf coach Buck DeWitt was forced to step down due to health reasons.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter at @andyvillamarzo.

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Berkeley Prep captures Academic Team Champion Award - again

Posted May 24, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 24, 2012 at 04:37 PM

For the second straight year, Berkeley Preparatory has been named the overall Class 4A “Academic Team Champion” for the 2011-12 school year by the Florida High School Athletics Association.

The Buccaneers earned the award after eight athletic teams earned Academic Team Champion honors during the year. The overall champion in each classification was decided after points were added for each team that earned a top-10 finish in their respective sport.

Ten points where given to teams that had the highest grade point average in their sport and classification. Heading into the spring sports season, the Bucs already had five Academic Team Champions and picked up three more in May with softball (3.82 GPA), boys track (3.54) and boys volleyball (3.78).

The Bucs amassed a total of 172, the highest total of any school in any of the eight classifications. Academy of the Holy Names was third in 4A with 177. Jesuit finished third overall in Class 5A with 83 points, Tampa Prep was ninth in 3A with 48 and Cambridge Christian with 10th in 2A with 20.

Here’s the breakdown of Berkeley Prep’s GPA for each of its eight Academic Team Champions:

Boys cross country: 3.86; boys swimming and diving: 3.74; girls swimming and diving: 3.83; boys basketball: 3.55; girls basketball: 3.74; softball: 3.82; boys track and field: 3.54; boys volleyball: 3.78.

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