Trojans head to Brookhaven for playoff quarterfinals

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
April 30, 2004
Northeast Lauderdale may have played above its head all season long, but head coach Steve Nelson sees no reason why his team can't do more of the same this weekend.
The Trojans, 22-9 entering the 4A state quarterfinals against Brookhaven, have benefited throughout the baseball season from timely hitting throughout their lineup. Nelson said he sees the same quality in Brookhaven.
The Trojans and Panthers will begin their best-of-three series at 6 tonight in Brookhaven. Game 2 will move to Northeast Lauderdale on Saturday at 3 p.m., and a third game, if necessary, will be in Brookhaven on Monday at 3 p.m.
Nelson said Nathan Peden will start on the mound tonight. Depending on relief appearances in the first game, Nelson said either Jason Prichett or Cory Chance will likely start Game 2.
But Nelson knows his pitching staff alone won't carry the Trojans into the next round of the playoffs.
Last week's playoff round-robin victory was the first postseason action for anyone at Northeast Lauderdale, but Nelson said he isn't worried about playoff jitters. And while Nelson does not underestimate tonight's importance, he also does not stake his team's survival to Game 1's outcome.