The Bucs 1996 Season was definatley a season of ups and downs. At
times the teams youth and inexperience showed and at other times it
thrived. The season opened up with the 3A Bucs playing two 4A and 5A
teams. The Bucs scored a come from behind victory against the #1 rated
team in 5A, Tampa Bay Tech . The Bucs then suffered a close
loss to Durant High School. The Bucs would struggle
constantly all season in a District which included the Clearwater
Central Catholic team that sat otop the 3A baseball rankings
for most of the year. Tampa Catholic also returned as the
Bucs crosstown rival. A highlight of the Bucs season was perhaps its
midseason trip for spring break to the Sacremento California area. As
mentioned on the main page, Coach Clyde Keller
grew up and played ball in this area. The Bucs were pitted with
a four game schedule in which they played Sac. Bella Vista, Sac.
Jesuit, Sac. Colfax and Keller's alma mater Del Campo High School.
The opening game was a game of big innings, strong pitching and
defense. Behind the pitching of Freshman Adam Prida the Bucs
were forced to rely on the big inning. Ryan Caradonna picked up
for the Bucs lack of timely hitting with two home runs. His first a solo shot
was not as big as the Grand Slam he would later deliver. This game
left onlooking coaches and spectators impressed with the Bucs and
the play of Prida and Caradonna. After the game both Adam and Ryan
along with several others could be seen signing autographs for the
local fans. The Bucs next action was against another Top 10 team in
the Sacremento area. This time the Bucs brought their bats as several
hitters contributed. Junior leftfielder Brett Morgan picked
up 4 RBI's as Frosh Centerfeilder Justin Peg picked up 3
hits. Newcomer Junior Wes Goodner picked up the Win with a strong effort as the
Bucs won 15-8. Coach Keller was exceptionally happy with the play of his team against
his old high school, especially with his former coach looking on from
the stand. The next game for the Bucs would see their only california
loss. Ryan Caradonna looked on seemingly helpless as walks, errors and
mental errors plagued the Bucs. The bats never started and the Bucs
walked away losers for the first time on the trip, 8-6. The Bucs ended
the trip with a victory 8-7. The Bucs lead big early letting Colfax
back into the game late. Pitcher Wes Goodner led the way while Charlie
Hadlow sealed the deal. Brett Morgan's double and Wes Goodner's hard
single lead the Bucs in htting. The Bucs scored most of their runs by
taking advantage of Colfax's mistakes. Upon returning from Sacremento
the Bucs improvement had seemingly disappeared as they would suffer
losses to CCC and Tampa Catholic. At the season was nearing close, the
Bucs drew together behind Senior and Junior leadership. Although a lack of concentration had been seen
in the Bucs latest efforts, senior Kevin Blocker and many others
were sure to not let this happen. The Bucs kept momentum with vioctories at
Bayshore Christian and Wildwood where many unseen bucs bats were thrown
lose. The "new" Bucs went into a District Semifinal against Tampa Catholic
a team in which the Bucs had already lossed twice. The Bucs fought hard
and took an early lead on TC ace Phil Regan. Yet in the end
the Bucs would fall 6-4 to the future State Champ Crusaders. Again the year
ended for the Bucs with a loss to the future State Champs. Senior
Kevin Blocker has signed with Wofford college along with Brad Hall
who will play at Rhodes college. 
1996 Season Stats