Ridgewood tops Crystal River 9-0 behind its ace, who improves to 11-0.
By JAMAL THALJI
Published May 12, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - Whatever Ridgewood is doing so well after Tuesday night's 9-0 region quarterfinal rout of Crystal River, skipper Larry Beets wants the Rams to keep it up this postseason.
"They need to keep doing what they're doing," he said. "They need to keep eating what they're eating and they need to keep on wearing the same britches. They don't need to change them.
"I sure don't."
It was a strong all-around effort as the Rams (23-5), ranked fifth in Class 4A, found production everywhere, and everything clicked against the Pirates (17-12).
Erik Bua (11-0) entered the game with a no-hitter and a five-inning perfect game in his previous two starts. He can add to that his third straight shutout.
He extended his scoreless innings streak to 19, striking out five, allowing five hits and walking two. Bua looked shaky early, but regained his form in the middle innings.
"He battled," Beets said. "I thought he had a good fastball, but the humidity took away from his change-up."
It helped that Ridgewood jumped out on top of Crystal River early. Joe Moll's home run in the second sparked a four-run inning. In the third, Kevin Johnson dropped the ball over the centerfielder's head, allowing Moll to score to make it 5-0. Then Jon Koenigsfeld launched a line drive down the rightfield line that scored Eric Slotter to make it 6-0.
Moll was walked in the fifth with the bases loaded to score Jeff Roxby and make it 7-0. That was it for Pirates ace Richard Covey, who had resisted leaving the mound earlier. He lasted 42/3 innings, allowing 10 hits, eight earned runs, six walks and striking out four.
"Richard never wants to come out," Pirates coach Robert Weiner said. "I really respect Ridgewood. If you're struggling on the hill, they'll take advantage, they'll make you pay."
If any play defined Ridgewood's night it was rightfielder John Servidio's outfield grab in the sixth that sparked a double play to preserve the shutout. Servidio took the fly ball and threw home, where catcher Jeremy Coolidge tagged the runner at the plate.
"He wants to make that play," Beets said. "They all want to make those plays. I've got a lot of seniors and they don't want to stop playing."
Aaron McLamar's run-scoring single in the sixth made it 9-0. Koenigsfeld went 4-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI to lead the Rams at the plate, while Moll was 3-for-3.
Ridgewood will host Winter Haven (24-4), the No.2-ranked team in 4A, in Friday's region semifinal.
