SPRING HILL — The last time Bishop McLaughlin faced district rival Tampa Prep, the two kept it tight until the end. This time, once the Terrapins got rolling, no one could stop them.
Tampa Prep won in five innings, 11-0, securing the spot atop Class 3A, District 7. The Terrapins are the only team still undefeated in district play.
“We respect everybody in our district,” Tampa Prep coach AJ Hendrix said. “It’s always a battle.”
The Terrapins scored three in the second and added two in the third. In the fourth, they broke away, adding six runs.
Hendrix said his team took advantage of errors and ran the bases aggressively.
Bishop McLaughlin coach Jeff Swymer said the Terrapins are very well-coached, and he has a lot of respect for their program.
Mistakes will happen in any game, he added.
“It’s going happen,” he said. “But it can’t happen when you’re down 5-0.”
Swymer said his pitchers weren’t throwing off-speed. Against a team known to hit well, a down night on the mound can cause trouble.
Hendrix said he knows if they face Bishop McLaughlin in the playoffs, they will come ready.
Nick De Tringo, Matt Hodges, Sam Martin and Luis Medina scored two runs for the Terrapins. Matt Fulton, Ryan Corning and Gerardo Miranda-Rivero added one.
Tampa Prep left-hander Martin had seven strikeouts in the first four innings. Chase Sanguinetti took over in the final inning and added two.
Swymer said the Hurricanes don’t have time to dwell on this loss. Bishop McLaughlin’s next game is against Carrollwood Day, which is second in the district.
“We’ll grow through it,” Swymer said. “We’ll be all right.”