Miners March On to State Semis

ST. PETERSBURG | Fort Meade baseball coach Jeff Tofanelli said he knew at the beginning of the season.

On Saturday, everyone else found out that the Miners had the capability to reach the state tournament as they shut out Northside Christian School, 4-0, in the Class 2A Regional tournament final, thanks in part to a three-run homer by George Senterfitt and a six-hitter by junior left-hander Bryan Langston.

It marks the second time in Tofanelli's 10-year career and the second time in the last four years the Miners have advanced to the state baseball semifinals.

"I thought we would be here,'' Tofanelli said. "I'm confident with what we do as a staff. I knew our young guys had to mature. I thought we might be in this situation.''

The Miners were coming off an exciting 7-6 victory over the Mustangs late Friday night, which evened the series at one win each. The win gave them momentum and confidence.

"I saw the spark go back in their eyes last night,'' Tofanelli said. "We were real poised. We had the mind-set that if we got it to Day 3, we had the pitching to do what it took. I saw the spark go back in their eyes''

Langston (6-2) held the Mustangs scoreless over seven innings, allowing six hits, striking out three and giving up two walks. His teammates turned a double play in the second and Senterfitt caught a runner stealing in the third.

Then in the fourth, Senterfitt provided the offense, hitting his first home run in high school, a three-run blast over the left field fence. The home run scored Langston, who had singled, and Dustin Selph, who had reached on an error.

"It felt great,'' Senterfitt said. "I was looking for one right down the middle.''

The Miners added a run in the sixth, even though Freddy Cortez, running for Senterfitt, who had doubled, was called out at the plate.

"It was the right call to go,'' Tofanelli said. "He chopped his steps and did hit the base correctly. He should have pulled up.''

The Miners recovered and made it 4-0 when designated hitter Marc Escobar singled to right and went around the bases on a single by Jalen Brown, a balk by losing pitcher David Edwards and a passed ball.

"We knew that one was coming,'' said Tofanelli. "We saw him digging. Marc read it perfect.''

The Mustangs left seven runners on base.

"This is Fort Meade and they fight,'' Tofanelli said. "Whoever is out there, he knows to do his job and the other 18 are behind him.''