Gulliver coach Javy Rodriguez has seen his team steadily improve over the course of this season.

He trusts them to create havoc on the base paths much as he did during his stellar career at the University of Miami.

And he trusts his young arms to deliver big victories on the mound.

Led by sophomore Christian Diaz's 6 2/3 scoreless innings pitched, the Raiders ousted rival Florida Christian 5-2 in a Region 4-3A quarterfinal Tuesday night at Alex Rodriguez Park.

Gulliver (23-5) will host Hollywood Chaminade Friday in a regional semifinal at 4 p.m.

Diaz struck out seven batters and walked only one to improve to 7-1. Florida Christian's Bryan Radziewski also pitched well, striking out nine.

''I kept pacing myself out there and telling myself to relax after every pitch,'' said Diaz, who threw two no-hitters during the regular season. ``I was anxious the whole day because we didn't want to finish like last season when we lost in this round.''

The Raiders took advantage of a couple of costly errors by Florida Christian (23-5) to open up a 5-0 lead after three innings.

Chris Chinea, Danny Figueroa, Andrew Valencia and Eric Neitzel each went 1 for 3.

Gulliver's three runs in the bottom of the third were capped by a steal of home by pinch runner Ricky Eusebio.

''We played very tough teams all season that prepared us for this game,'' Rodriguez said. ``I coach them to be aggressive and make things happen.''

Down to its final out, Florida Christian tried to come back when Danny Canela hit a triple that scored Hector Crespo. Canela scored after a throwing error by Stephen Perez. That prompted Rodriguez to bring in Stephen Rodriguez from the bullpen. Rodriguez got Alex Marrero to ground out to end the game.

''We're a young team and I think some of that youth got exposed [Tuesday night],'' Florida Christian coach Ernie Padron said. ``You can't win committing so many errors.''

FC 000 000 2 --2 9 3 GUL 203 000 x --5 5 2

WP: Christian Diaz (7-1). LP: Bryan Radziewski.

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