Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 30, 2002
INVERNESS -- If the game is big, Krystle Cummings wants the ball.
"I enjoy the pressure," she said. "It doesn't bother me."
Apparently not.
With Citrus' playoff fate on the line at last week's Class 3A, District 6 tournament, the right-handed senior allowed one earned run in 21 innings to help keep the Hurricanes' season alive. Behind Cummings, Citrus beat Dunnellon 1-0 and Hernando 5-4. The Hurricanes lost to Crystal River 2-1 in the final despite Cummings' three-hitter.
"I think she's peaking right now," coach Scott Waters said. "She's flirted with no-hitters her last four or five times out. She's done the job for us. She keeps the hits down, and that keeps you in ballgames.
"I don't think she's given up more than four or five runs in any game"
Cummings (12-5, 1.20 ERA), who splits time with junior Megan Rall (6-3), has command of six pitches, her favorite being the fastball low and away.
She is not a strikeout pitcher, but one who induces ground balls. Because the Citrus infield is solid defensively, the 'Canes have good chemistry with Cummings on the mound.
"She's got a great dropball and also a real good rise," Waters said. "Her fastball has a nice tail to it, and she's consistent with her changeup. She also throws a screwball and a slider down and in.
"She's equally effective with all her pitches. She does a nice job with all of them and is good at mixing them up."
Only recently has Cummings been at her best.
She injured her right knee in a car crash last year and was unable to play during the summer. In early-season games, she relied on her fastball because she lacked confidence in her other pitches.
"Now, I'm getting back to where I should be," Cummings said. "Before, I was relying on my arm. Now, I'm relying on different speeds.
"Right now, I'm pitching well. I'm working the batters the way I want to work them instead of trying to blow it by them.