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Pirates surprise Eustis 3-2

EUSTIS -- Everybody knew Jimmy Metz could win with his arm, but with a trip to the final four at Tampa's Legends Field on the line, the Crystal River senior showed he has some skills at the plate, too.

Metz's suicide squeeze with one out in the seventh Tuesday scored pinch-runner Tim Embree to give the Pirates the lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Metz made sure it stuck, striking out one and inducing two groundouts to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win over No. 5 Eustis. Crystal River advances to its first state semifinal since 1946.

"It's unbelievable," Metz said. "I never believed that we wouldn't win. I knew our team could do anything."

The Pirates (30-3) were held to one hit by Eustis starter Justin Smith (8-2) but took advantage of four errors and several Panthers miscues to stay in it. Metz (12-1) certainly did more than his share, holding Eustis (24-8) to five hits while striking out 12.

"It was a great game," Crystal River coach Brent Hall said. "It's exciting for our team to be in the final four."

Crystal River took a 2-1 lead in the sixth, scoring a run after Smith walked two batters and plunked two others. But the Panthers rallied for a run in their half on a bloop single to right.

Crystal River's No. 9 hitter, E.J. Gerrits, opened the seventh with a walk. He was replaced by Embree, who stole second and advanced to third on a wild pickoff throw by Smith. After an out, Metz stepped in and took a first-pitch strike. He then surprised Eustis with a perfect bunt up the middle as Embree sprinted home.

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