BASEBALL

Bowen sends Winter Haven into semifinal

By Ivan Lambert

Ledger correspondent

Winter Haven High School's Dylan Bowen, left, is congratulated at the plate after hitting a solo run home run against Plant City to tie the game at 2-2 during the fifth inning of their Class 6A, Region 2 quarterfinal game at Winter Haven High School Friday night.

WINTER HAVEN — Dylan Bowen doubled to center field to give Winter Haven a 3-2 walk-off win over Plant City in their Class 6A, Region 2 quarterfinal on Thursday night at Winter Haven High School.

Roberto Odor led-off the eighth inning with a walk after going down 0-2 in the count to put the winning run on base for the Blue Devils.

Bowen then drove a Tanner Rollyson curve ball deep into center field, easily scoring Odor from first base, advancing the Blue Devils (15-11) into the 6A, Region 2 semifinal Wednesday, when they will host district rival Bartow.

“I had been watching him and knew he was a soft lefty,” Bowen said. “He didn’t appear to be throwing his curve ball all that great, so I was looking for something I could drive back side. Sure enough I was sitting on it, and he threw it and I just tried to drive something hard.”

Trailing 2-1, Bowen also came up big in the bottom of the fifth off Plant City starter Adan Longoria when he smashed a game-tying home run into left-center field.

“I was going up there trying to hit a ball as hard as I could,” said Bowen. “He threw me a middle-in fast ball, I saw it, and quickly knew I could drive it.”

Winter Haven High School's Dylan Bowen watches his solo home run soar towards the outfield wall during the fifth inning.

Plant City (16-10) had taken a 2-0 lead in the second inning when catcher Jack Broskey drew a one-out walk.

Anthony Grasso then drilled a line-drive shot over the left field fence off Winter Haven starter Zachary Lamb.

Winter Haven High School starting pitcher Zachary Lamb (13) winds up against Plant City High School during the first inning.

Winter Haven had gotten on the scoreboard in their half of the third on Mason Jantomaso’s sacrifice fly, scoring Odor who had led-off the inning with a walk, and was later part of a double steal.

“I thought tonight was a really good team effort again,” head coach David Schafer said. “Our pitchers kept us in the game, gave us a chance, and our offense gave us timely hitting tonight. I thought Dylan Bowen had a career game tonight and really showed why he is the MVP of our team.”

Winter Haven High School relief pitcher Mark Jarrett (16) delivers against Plant City during the fifth inning.

Lamb provided Winter Haven 4 1/3 innings, yielding two hits and two earned runs.

Mark Jarrett then came on for the final 3 2/3 innings, effectively shutting down the Raiders.

Winter Haven High School assistant coach Jordan Schafer gives the signs from third base against Plant City during the third inning.