7A Regional Championship Predictions
May 11, 2015
Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout
Tuesday night, May 12th, the 7A regional final games will be played to see what four teams advance to the 2015 state final four. To highlight these games, we will be taking a look at Sarasota vs Gulf Coast. Sarasota comes into this game at 18-11, having had an up and down year for what is usually a nationally recognized, powerhouse program. As for Gulf Coast, their record is 21-7, having had some impressive wins and tough losses to very strong opponents. Both teams should have their aces on the mound in UNC Signee Jordan Gubelman for Sarasota and Florida Signee Michael Zimmerman for Gulf Coast; both of them have chance of getting drafted this June. Zimmerman is having an incredible year going 9-1 so far with a 1.19 ERA and 95 strikeouts. This matchup will be held at Gulf Coast at 7:00.
Prediction: Gulf Coast
Oviedo vs Chiles
Chiles (18-10) will be traveling to Oviedo (22-5-2) to fight for a state tournament bid. Oviedo, however, will be hosting this game and has produced a better record with what appears to be a tougher schedule.
Prediction: Oviedo
Durant vs Osceola
Both of these schools have similar records with Durant going 22-6 so far and Osceola 22-4. Both of these teams have also gone undefeated in district play this season. Osceola has cruised through regional play, scoring 19 total runs and surrendering zero runs on defense, while Durant has won both games by one run, and have scored three runs total in regionals. They difference may be Osceola’s offense.
Prediction: Osceola
Royal Palm Beach vs St. Thomas Aquinas
Royal Palm Beach enters this game at 18-11 and St. Thomas Aquinas comes in at 22-4, with two of their losses coming to out of state teams. Without knowing either team, one would expect St. Thomas Aquinas to be a heavy favorite, but Royal Palm Beach has one of the best arms in the state in Vanderbilt Signee Triston McKenzie. If McKenzie is on, runs, and possibly even base runners, may be hard to come by. Aquinas, however, appears to have the major edge in offense. Royal Palm Beach will be hosting this game at 7:00.
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas