What to watch
Springstead at Nature Coast, 7
The rivals split their regular season series last year. The host Sharks won the first meeting 13-10. The Eagles got payback in the rematch three days later, winning 8-2.
River Ridge at Jesuit, 7
Last season, the teams nearly met in the 5A region finals. The matchup never happened after the Royal Knights let a 3-0 lead slip away in a 4-3 loss to Hollins in the semifinals. The Tigers, meanwhile, cruised through the region en route to winning a state title.
Newsome at Wharton, 7
This is the first two the teams have met since the 2021 season opener. The Wildcats won that one, 3-2. Both programs made the playoffs a year ago. The Wolves lost in the region quarterfinals. Wharton fell in the region semifinals.
Durant at Plant, 7
The last time these teams met was in the opener of the abbreviated 2020 season. The host Panthers have a deep pitching staff and a balanced offensive lineup. Still, it will not be an easy start against the Cougars, led by Dylan LaPointe (.425, five homers, 23 RBIs last season).
Strawberry Crest at Sickles, 7
This is a rematch from last year’s region final that the Gryphons won 5-0. It also serves as a solid opening matchup between two of the best players in Hillsborough County – and the nation. Chargers’ shortstop Arjun Nimmala is an FSU signee who is projected as a first round pick in the upcoming 2023 MLB Draft. Sickles’ slugger Caden McDonald, a UCF signee, hit .600 with eight homers and 42 RBIs last season.
Tournament schedules
Steve Georgiadis (at Seminole)
Northeast vs. Pinellas Park, 4
Boca Ciega vs. Seminole, 7
Packer Invitational (at Largo)
Osceola vs. Countryside, 5
Clearwater Central Catholic vs. Sunlake, 7:30
County schedules
Hernando County
Central at Crystal River, 7
Springstead at Nature Coast, 7
Hernando at Citrus, 7
Lecanto at Weeki Wachee, 7
Hillsborough County
Tampa SLAM at Tampa Catholic, 6
Brooks DeBartolo at Calvary Christian, 6:30
Lakeland McKeel Academy at Berkeley Prep, 6:30
Jefferson at Lennard, 7
Freedom at Plant City, 7
Newsome at Wharton, 7
Durant at Plant, 7
Strawberry Crest at Sickles, 7
River Ridge at Jesuit, 7
Bell Creek Academy at Academy at the Lakes, 7
Tampa Prep at St. Petersburg Catholic, 7
Brandon at Chamberlain, 7
Steinbrenner at Riverview, 7
Seffner Christian at Lakeland Christian, 7
Robinson at Bloomingdale, 7
Pasco County
Anclote at Hudson, 7
Zephyrhills at Lake Gibson, 7
Wesley Chapel at Land O’ Lakes, 7
River Ridge at Jesuit, 7
Bell Creek Academy at Academy at the Lakes, 7
Seven Rivers Christian at Gulf, 7
Clearwater Central Catholic vs. Sunlake, 7 (at Largo’s Packer Invitational)
Pinellas County
Pinellas Park at Northeast, 4 (at Seminole’s Steve Georgiadis)
Osceola vs. Countryside, 5 (at Largo’s Packer Invitational)
Brooks DeBartolo at Calvary Christian, 6:30
Palm Harbor University at IMG, 7
Tampa Prep at St. Petersburg Catholic, 7
Boca Ciega at Seminole, 7 (Steve Georgiadis)
Keswick Christian at Clearwater, 7
Clearwater Central Catholic vs. Sunlake, 7 (at Largo’s Packer Invitational)
