For years, Tom Hilbert and Stefan Futch have squared off as baseball coaches, usually with something big at stake, such as a Pinellas County Athletic Conference title. 

On Tuesday, they met again, this time with a milestone on the line. 

Futch, a fixture at Osceola, was going for his 400th career victory. Hitting the mark against Palm Harbor University’s Hilbert, a coaching veteran who already has more than 500 career wins, would make it even more special. 

Relying on stellar pitching and timely hitting, the Warriors prevailed 3-1.

That meant the countdown was over. 

Futch now is in the 400 club, a victory total made even more impressive considering that Futch has spent his entire coaching career in the southern part of Pinellas County (13 years at Osceola, 12 at St. Petersburg), where coaching continuity is scarce. 

Against the Hurricanes, Gavin Tuttle threw a two-hitter, allowing one earned run. Ethan Futch had a run-scoring single and Eli Daraphet hit a double to lead the offense. 

Afterward, there was little fanfare. Futch took a photo with his team, and one with Hilbert. 

Then the focus turned to tonight’s game against Hollins.