Mitchell High School pitcher Patrick Schuster pitched an incredible four consecutive no-hitters this month. Mitchell’s Pasco County location gave Tampa Bay high school baseball national recognition. But with hundreds of fans at Countryside High School and live television coverage watching every pitch, Schuster’s streak ended against the Gaither Cowboys. In fact, not only did Gaither get hits (the first being a double by outfielder Drew Doty), they won the game 9-4.

As it was a district playoff game, Mitchell’s season is now over. Gaither was treated as little more than a TV prop in the pregame hype. Their name was curiously omitted from the New York Times article promoting the possible extension of Schuster’s streak. The lead commentator on the live broadcast erroneously called the Cowboys “the Mustangs” (Mitchell’s nickname) at least once and mispronounced one player’s name repeatedly. Coach Frank Permuy, who has been there from day one in 1984, would not take this quietly. Now he has a team to be proud of, and so do I.

Why would I defend them as I do? Because I am a proud graduate of Gaither High School. My alma mater has a lot to be excited about today.

Maybe the school can finally shed its reputation of disappearing in the postseason. (Example: In 2006, Gaither’s soccer team was ranked No. 1 in the nation and expected to run to the state title. Instead, they were bounced from the playoffs. In the first round.) Of course, the regional and national recognition will be like nothing the Cowboys have ever had.

Through long streaks of football and baseball postseason appearances, coach Permuy’s 500th career win, and even former Cowboy Chad Zerbe pitching in the World Series, Gaither’s name value has never soared higher than it did against Patrick Schuster.

I want to see how much respect they get now. Hopefully some cheers from ESPN — and a New York Times mention — are in their sights. To the commentary crew’s credit, they were quick to praise Gaither after the victory. Plus the name that was mispronounced is a difficult one (Domaracki – Dom-a-ROSS-key), and I only caught the verbal error because I went to school with the guy’s brother. And I think they got “Permuy” right, so good for them.

Congratulations to Patrick Schuster on an amazing string of four no-hitters. But congratulations equally to the silver, white and blue of Gaither Senior High.

-Brenton Burkett

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