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PP National wins Senior crown 5-0

SEMINOLE -- It took five days, two games and one rainout to finally crown a Senior champion in the District 5 Tournament of Champions.

The Pinellas Park National Reds successfully defended their title with a 5-0 victory over the Northwest Pirates on Wednesday.

Reds left-hander Kyle Griffith allowed three hits, struck out nine and picked off two baserunners in a complete-game effort.

"Good pitching beats good hitting any day of the week," Northwest manager Jim Valliere said. "(Griffith) was back-dooring that curveball on our right-handed hitters and just had our guys on their heels. If you don't hit the ball, you're not going to win ballgames."

The Reds' pitching staff allowed six runs in seven tournament games.

Pinellas Park National did most of its damage in the first off Pirates starter Kevin Devine. Leftfielder Daniel Miller poked a 3-2 pitch through the left side to drive in Chris Olt and Sean Johnson for a 4-0 lead.

"We felt like if we jumped on them early, that would be the key to the game, and that's what we did in the first inning," Reds manager Rick Scarlett said.

The Reds struck again in the top of the third when Kyle Scott scored on Olt's groundout to second.

Devine settled down after the third and retired 11 of the final 14 batters he faced.

Northwest's best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, third baseman Dean Hayen singled, stole second and advanced to third when the throw from Scott, the Reds catcher, sailed into centerfield. But Griffith struck out Nick Moore and got Josh Fair to pop up to end the inning.

SENIOR BASEBALL: The District 12 title game between Palm Harbor and West Pasco has been rescheduled for tonight at 7 at Carpenter Field.

MINOR BASEBALL: In the All-Stars Tournament, Pinellas Park National defeated Northeast 15-4. Justin Warren pitched six innings and struck out six, and Kaleb Paulton hit a three-run double in the top of the seventh.

Northwest defeated Pinellas Park American 12-2. Scott Schlapinsky struck out 12 in a complete game. Tylar Griffith had three hits and scored four runs.

On Tuesday night, Pinellas Park National defeated Baypoint 10-0. Cody McCull pitched five innings and struck out 12. Kaleb Caulton went 2-for-2.

Southwest defeated Cross Bayou No. 2 16-1. Harrison Ralph hit a home run and Alex Perna had three hits.

Northwest defeated Cross Bayou No. 1 15-13, rallying from a 10-3 deficit.

MINOR SOFTBALL: In the All-Stars Tournament, Pinellas Park defeated Baypoint 23-0 on Tuesday night. Ciera Ledford went 3-for-3 with five RBIs. Jenna Rinensyeer had a triple and drove in two runs.

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