Tampa Bay Times -- Sat. May 12, 2012

8A: Wharton lineup struggles vs. lefty
ORLANDO — Wharton’s extra-innings victory streak was snapped Friday in a 5-3 loss to Orlando Timber Creek in the 8A region final. Three fielding errors put the Wildcats in difficult situations and Timber Creek capitalized.

“That was bound to happen eventually,” Wharton coach Scott Hoffman said. “These guys just don’t make errors, haven’t all year.”

The Wildcats (21-9) got on the board early as Collin Woody batted in and eventually scored the first two runs in the first inning. Timber Creek responded with one run in the first, another in the second then two runs in the fourth and an insurance run off Woody in the fifth.

The typically stingy combination of seniors Shaun Rubin and Woody surrendered five earned runs and nine hits. The Wolves got an unexpected lift from left-hander Cody Sharp. After the Wildcats got to starter Tyler Konzen, Timber Creek coach Scott Grove went to Sharp in the fourth inning.

“(Konzen’s) been great all year, but they had his number tonight,” Grove said. “I figured we would bring in a lefty and try to offset everything.”

Sharp went four innings, struck out five and walked one. The Wildcats could not get a run off him, earned or unearned.

“I was feeling good, my cutter was working in the bullpen,” said Sharp. “We wanted to keep it in on their hands, keep them off balance.”

Tuck Neuhaus was a bright spot for Wharton, going 2-for-3 with a double and an intentional walk. Ryan Lawson also went 2-for-3.

“We established a lot of things this year, most importantly toughness,” Hoffman said. “That’s something we’ve lacked for some time here.”

The Wildcats can add to their history books first playoff appearance, first district title, first region playoff victory and, according to Hoffman, they will return, “a great nucleus of players.”

“Nobody is feeling sorry for themselves,” he said. “We laid it on the line this year.”