TAMPA - Tampa Catholic - the only team to play two games on the opening day of the Saladino Tournament - opened with a 2-1 win over Alonso and a 4-3 win against Jefferson.
The tougher test came from Alonso in the Crusaders' first game. Starter Charles Cleveland gave up an unearned run in the fifth. Ravens' junior Shane Effertz matched Cleveland's efforts, allowing one hit in the second. Effertz didn't give up another in six innings, as Tampa Catholic scored an unearned run in the fourth.
Alonso pulled Effertz in the seventh, and the Crusaders (5-5) leaped at the opportunity. Matt Cash greeted Ravens' reliever Chris Whelan with a single, and J.C. Suarez put down a sacrifice bunt. Whelan went to a full count with Ralph Alvarez before the catcher laced a single to left to score the winner.
The Ravens (7-3) applied pressure in the bottom of the seventh with one-out singles from Neill Boyd and Dave Del Guercio. Cleveland struck out seven but was far from flawless in allowing seven hits. Del Guercio reached base every time, going 3-for-3 with a walk and scoring the lone Ravens' run.
The defense came to Cleveland's aid at the most opportune moment, turning a smooth 4-6-3 double play to end the game.
Crusader pitchers posted a curious line against the Dragons (7-4), who scored three runs without the benefit of a hit or an error.
Tampa Catholic's first two pitchers issued six walks and hit a batter before Justin Helicke recorded a pop out to end the fifth inning with the bases loaded. The Dragons punched through with their first hit in the sixth off Suarez, who pitched two scoreless innings for the save.
At 2-0 the Crusaders can guarantee a berth in Wednesday's quarterfinals if they beat Brandon on Tuesday or if the Eagles lose a game Monday.
Ryan Hutchinson and Tom Savino homered for Durant in the first game as the Cougars belted Tampa Bay Tech 16-2.
