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Crystal River hangs on at World Series

The Dixie Majors team bounces back from a loss and an early three-run deficit for a 14-4 win over Arkansas.

By HILLARY SMITH
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 30, 2002

MONROE, La. -- Unlike many of the teams in the Dixie Majors World Series, 14 of Crystal River's 15 players from the same place: Crystal River.

Crystal River High reached Florida's Class 3A final four this season. So, this week's World Series is basically the offseason.

"This is a great bunch of kids from one little town of 4,000," coach Brent Hall said. "We're playing well against teams with these big-city guys."

Just 12 hours after losing to host Monroe on Sunday, Crystal River was back on Louisiana-Monroe's Indian Field on Monday, facing a three-run deficit that could have meant elimination. But an eight-run first inning led to a 14-4 win in six innings.

"We've got a great bunch of guys who are able to separate each game," Hall said. "We had a disappointing loss and lived to fight another day. We checked our character this morning and I'm very proud of what they were able to accomplish."

Said catcher Clayton Trenary: "It was like playing a doubleheader. It was pretty hard -- especially in this heat, this brutal heat. But everyone came back and played well. They played good and got past that (loss)."

Every starter scored as the team racked up 17 hits against four Arkansas pitchers.

"We know we can hit; we just have to stay patient. We had seven cracks at it," Hall said. "Fortunately for us, we were able to get some runs in."

Trenary went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple, his second of the tournament. Shortstop Jonathan Runnels was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

"Everyone came out and swung at the ball," Trenary said. "We were all just trying to get a hit."

Arkansas took advantage of Crystal River's late-night game Sunday as its first three batters scored. But Crystal River's first seven hitters scored in the bottom half of the inning, chasing starter Kurt Sims. Sims gave up six hits and hit a batter before giving way to reliever Neil Hill.

Crystal River plays plays Monday's Texas/Mississippi loser today at 3 p.m.

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