It won't be an easy week for any of the county's teams.
But starting with tonight's game at Central, Citrus is entering a stretch that includes Crystal River on Wednesday, Belleview on Thursday and Lecanto on Friday.
"We've got a big week," coach Jon Bolin said. "That's four pretty good ones."
The Hurricanes have won their past two and are 9-11.
"We're starting to play better than we were," Bolin said. "We weren't playing very good defense, and we're starting to pitch better."
Bolin said junior pitcher Casey Snyder (3-2) gave the Hurricanes a heck of a game in a victory against Springstead on Friday, which carried over into Saturday's victory against Hernando.
Catcher Ross Keesling also was very big defensively for the Hurricanes on Friday, Bolin said.
"I thought he handled Casey very well, working with Casey on keeping the ball down," Bolin said. "He handled the ball in the dirt real well."
Keesling also got it done at the plate Saturday with a single and three-run double.
LECANTO: The Panthers have lost nine of their past 10 games and are 5-11 overall.
Lecanto is 0-5 in Class 4A, District 7 heading into tonight's district contest against Clermont East Ridge.
Coach Brian Donovan said he believes Central, who the Panthers host Wednesday, is the team to beat in the district race.
"The thing we're focusing on is to stay confident," Donovan said.
"The only game we really weren't in was the last Central game. We definitely have the ability to beat Springstead, East Ridge and Leesburg." Chadd Martin is the Panthers' leading hitter. He is hitting .320 with three triples and a home run. He also has 13 stolen bases.
Junior Landon Baize is hitting .300.
On the mound, Jake McClelland is 3-2 with a save.
"We're hanging in there," Donovan said. "We had an emotional win Thursday against Belleview. We won 6-5 and played an encouraging game."
On the mound for that game was Justin Lofaro, who Donovan said has given the Panthers some good innings.
Matt Glickenhaus (2-1) got the win, pitching two scoreless innings.
"Even though we're struggling with a win-loss record, we're still focused," Donovan said.
"When the district tournament starts, we need to peak, and that keeps us motivated."
Lecanto, which is 1-4 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, plays at Citrus on Friday and hosts Crystal River on Saturday.
CRYSTAL RIVER: The Pirates' 25-game regular-season district winning streak ended Friday with a 9-6 loss to Dunnellon.
"We definitely would rather lose it now," coach Brent Hall said.
"It was a wake-up call. It was nip and tuck, and we had our opportunities."
It ended a 14-game overall winning streak for the Pirates, who last lost Feb. 25 to Gainesville P.K. Yonge.
Crystal River hosted Paulding City, Ga., on Monday and will be back in action Wednesday at Citrus.
The Pirates host Hernando at 6:30 p.m. Friday then are on the road at Lecanto on Saturday.
[Last modified April 18, 2003, 13:17:46]
Citrus Times headlines
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
