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Bayer delivers against her ex-teammates

Crystal River transfer pitcher fires a two-hit shutout at Lecanto.

By CAREY FREEMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 26, 2002

LECANTO -- One has to wonder whether Crystal River was celebrating a victory or the fact it -- and not Lecanto -- has Emily Bayer.

Bayer, who transferred in the offseason, returned to her old school for the first time since last spring Monday night, giving the Pirates (2-1) plenty of reason to celebrate in a 5-0 victory.

The pitcher recorded her second win of the season, handcuffing the Panthers (0-3) in a two-hit, six-strikeout performance. "I really wanted to win this game," Bayer said. "I tried not to get nervous, and I tried not to look at anyone. I just went out and tried to pitch the best I could."

Bayer (2-0) didn't allow a batter to reach base for 22/3 innings, and the Panthers had just four runners in seven innings.

Ashley Stewart broke up a perfect game when she reached on an error in the third, but Lecanto didn't get another runner until Haley Nicholson and Nikki Pontius doubled and singled in the fifth inning.

Even then, Bayer seemed unfazed by her former teammates.

She got out of the trouble with a strikeout and an easy grounder to second base, then retired five of the final six hitters.

"Pitching is our strength," Crystal River coach Lanna Hough said. "As long as the defense plays clean ball behind her, we should win."

After struggling in two previous games, the Pirates' bats came alive against Pontius and the Panthers, who gave up seven hits and committed an error. Ashley Bullion led the Crystal River offense, going 2-for-3 -- including a triple -- and scoring twice.

The Pirates' leadoff hitter notched the first run after drawing a walk. Bullion scored five batters later when Pontius (0-2) walked Alisa Tisdale.

Eleshia Young singled home Candice Miller for the second run, and Melissa Coburn scored on a Shannon McConnell error in the centerfielder's attempt to throw out Coburn at the plate.

"I know (Pontius') pitching," said Bullion, who played Little League ball with the Lecanto hurler..

"I know what pitches she has and what pitches she doesn't have, so it was pretty easy to hit her," said Bullion, who tripled and scored in the second inning.

Crystal River tacked on its final run in the seventh.

Ashley Williams led off the inning with a single and scored two batters later when Coburn tripled to right-centerfield.

The Pirates will play host to Citrus at 6 p.m. in a Class 3A, District 6 game.

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