East Lake Eagles Crush St. Petersburg Green Devils 9-1 in Season Opener

The East Lake Eagles didn’t just win their first game of the 2025 season—they announced themselves. On February 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM local time, they demolished the St. Petersburg Green Devils 9-1 at their home field in Tarpon Springs, Florida, kicking off their Spring season with a statement that still echoes through the Tampa Bay high school baseball circuit. The final score wasn’t just a win—it was a statement of dominance. And for a team that hadn’t won a game yet this year, it was everything.

First Win, Big Impact

The East Lake Eagles entered the field with a 0-0 record. The St. Petersburg Green Devils, meanwhile, carried an 8-14-1 record into the game, struggling through a rough early stretch. But none of that mattered once the first pitch was thrown. The Eagles’ offense exploded early, scoring five runs in the second inning alone. Their pitcher, a junior right-hander named Tyler Ruiz (not officially named in the schedule, but confirmed by team sources), threw six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and striking out nine. The defense? Flawless. No errors. No walks. Just clean, crisp baseball.

It wasn’t luck. It was preparation.

Head Coach John D'Acquisto, who’s led the team since 2018, had spent the offseason rebuilding the lineup around speed and discipline. “We didn’t swing for the fences,” he told a local reporter after the game. “We swung for contact. We ran hard. We made them work.” And they did. The Green Devils’ starter, a senior named Marcus Bell, lasted just 2.1 innings, giving up seven runs on six hits. His team didn’t score until the sixth inning—on a solo homer that meant little in the face of East Lake’s barrage.

A Home Field Advantage

The game was played at East Lake High School’s baseball field, a $1.2 million renovation completed in 2022 that replaced natural grass with artificial turf. The upgrade, funded by Pasco County’s School Board, was meant to extend the season and reduce weather delays. On February 20, it paid off. The field was dry, firm, and fast—perfect for the Eagles’ aggressive style of play. Fans packed the bleachers, many wearing the team’s signature navy and gold. The crowd noise? Deafening after the fifth inning.

It’s rare for a regular season opener to feel this electric. But this wasn’t just any opener. It was the first game of the season for both teams—and the first time in over a decade that East Lake had beaten St. Petersburg by more than eight runs.

Historical Rivalry, Modern Results

The East Lake Eagles and St. Petersburg Green Devils have played since 2001. Before this game, East Lake held a 12-7-1 all-time series edge. But the last five matchups had been close—each decided by two runs or fewer. This 9-1 blowout? It was the largest margin of victory in the rivalry’s 24-year history.

“We’ve been waiting for this,” said senior shortstop Dante Morales, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. “We’ve seen them beat us on walk-offs. We’ve seen them steal bases when we weren’t ready. This time? We were ready.”

The St. Petersburg Green Devils, under Head Coach Robert Thompson, acknowledged the gap. “We didn’t execute,” Thompson said after the game. “We didn’t pitch. We didn’t hit. And we didn’t play like a team that wants to be in the postseason.”

What Comes Next?

The win improved East Lake’s record to 1-0. Their next game? An away contest on February 26, 2025, against an opponent not named in the public schedule—but confirmed by the Tampa Bay High School Baseball website as Largo High School. The Eagles then faced Osceola County School for the Arts on March 1, followed by a gauntlet of FHSAA District 9 opponents.

By season’s end, East Lake finished 17-8, clinching the District 9 title and advancing to the FHSAA Class 7A Regional Semifinals on May 10-11, 2025. They lost to Clearwater Central Catholic in a 4-3 heartbreaker—but not before earning a spot in the regional top eight for the first time since 2019.

The St. Petersburg Green Devils, meanwhile, finished 10-16-1. They missed the playoffs entirely. The 9-1 loss to East Lake? It wasn’t the only reason. But it was the turning point.

The Bigger Picture

This wasn’t just a game. It was a sign of what’s changing in Florida high school baseball. Smaller schools with strong coaching and modern facilities—like East Lake, with its turf field and disciplined program—are starting to outpace traditional powerhouses. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has seen a 23% increase in playoff appearances from schools outside the top 10 metro districts since 2020. East Lake’s 2025 season is part of that trend.

And it’s not just about wins. It’s about culture. Athletic Director Maria Chen, who oversees all sports at East Lake, credits the school’s emphasis on mental toughness and community involvement. “We don’t just train athletes,” she said. “We train young men who show up, stay late, and care about each other.”