Zephyrhills allowed four unearned runs early to Pasco and it became too much to overcome as the Pirates took a 7-6 win eliminating the Bulldogs from the Class 5A-District 10 playoffs.
The third-seed Bulldogs lit up the scoreboard fin the first inning when DJ Pickett hit an RBI single scoring JJ McGovern. A two-run single by Martin Calhoun scored DJ Pickett and Bryan Santiago to put Zephyrhills up 3-0.
Zephyrhills let Pasco back into the game with three unearned runs in the second thanks in part to an error.
“When you come in here and give up so many unearned runs, you aren’t going to beat anybody,” said Zephyrhills coach Rusty Guynn. “That’s a pretty good team and our guys come in here and aren’t ready to go and this is what happens.”
Pasco, seeded sixth in the tournament, increased the lead in the third to 5-3 and added a run in the sixth for a 6-3 advantage.
With Rivera’s on the corners, Maddox at third and his older brother Jaxson at first, Bulldog Micah Berrien hit an RBI single scoring Maddox Rivera.
Mark Santiago ripped a two-run double scoring Jaxson Rivera and Berrien to knot the score at 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth. Zephyrhills suffered a big loss when catcher Martin Calhoun suffered a knee injury trying to leg out an infield hit.
The Pirates earned the win in the top of the seventh when Caden Widner hit an RBI single to give Pasco a 7-6 advantage.
The Pirates move to 4-12 on the season and advance to face Cypress Creek Tuesday. The Bulldogs wrap up the season with a 12-5 slate.