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Metz delivers for Pirates
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer CRYSTAL RIVER -- To say Jimmy Metz has been unhittable this spring is a bit of a stretch. But not much of one. The Crystal River senior has thrown back-to-back five-inning no-hitters, allowed 5 hits in 21 innings and is 4-0. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 8:1, and his ERA is 0.00. "We knew he was a great pitcher, and we knew he had great stuff, but he's been a pleasant surprise," Pirates coach Brent Hall said. "He has been a rock." A rock that, as of yet, has not even been chipped. Metz, who transferred to Crystal River from Lecanto in August after moving for personal reasons, was a Times All-Citrus/Hernando pick in 2001. But his numbers last year pale in comparison to the statistics he's compiling this season. As if his performance on the mound wasn't impressive enough, Metz is batting .517 and has 2 home runs, 4 doubles and 11 RBIs. His lone blemish? A fielding error against Lecanto that came when he was playing third base. "I caught a lot of grief for that one," Metz said. With Metz -- a Central Florida Community College signee -- leading the way as their No. 1 starter, the Pirates think they have the players to compete for a state title. In the preseason, Hall said Metz was the one ingredient Crystal River lacked in 2001, when it went 25-6 but lost to Dunnellon in the district final and was bounced by Alachua Santa Fe in the first round of the state playoffs. Thus far, Metz has proved Hall to be correct. Crystal River is 11-0, 6-0 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and 4-0 in Class 3A, District 6. The Pirates have outscored opponents 160-19. At the center of their impressive start is Metz. "He's really been a positive influence on the team," Hall said. "His work ethic and commitment rubs off on everybody." Metz's pitching success is keyed by his control. "He hits his spots," catcher Clayton Trenary said. "His location is awesome. He gets batters thinking pretty good. When you're hitting and he's pitching, it's pretty tough." Metz, a right-hander, has equal command of a fastball that consistently is clocked in the high 80s, a breaking ball and a change-up. "He never lets you sit on anything," Hall said. Last spring, Metz went 2-7 but had a 1.56 ERA, a county-best 80 strikeouts and 7 complete games for 7-22 Lecanto. He considers himself a better pitcher, but admits his new teammates have contributed greatly to his success. "I have a better team around me," Metz said. "I feel more at ease. I know I have a defense behind me, and I know I have an offense. I'm more relaxed, and I don't have to strike everybody out. It's been a lot more than I thought it would be." He also credits Hall and his staff. "Everything (Hall) tells me, I take to heart," Metz said. Metz will have a chance to throw a third consecutive no-hitter either tonight at Citrus or Saturday at home against unbeaten Jacksonville Trinity Christian, the sixth-ranked team in Class 2A. He last allowed a base hit three weeks ago in a win over Citrus. "With his abilities, he's capable (of throwing a no-hitter) every time he goes out there," Hall said. And that's no stretch.
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