CCC rebounds vs. Pinellas Park

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published March 22, 2005

DUNEDIN - Physically getting the kids to the ballpark over spring break is easy. Getting them there mentally is another thing.

But Clearwater Central Catholic was sharp Monday, beating Pinellas Park 5-0 in the second round of the Dunedin Spring Classic.

Marauder coach Todd Vaughn blamed his team's mind-set for its first round loss to Northeast Saturday, pitting them in the loser's bracket with the Patriots (5-7), who lost 11-0 to Palm Harbor University over the weekend.

"As coaches, we like to talk a lot about mental toughness," said Vaughn. "I'm glad that we saw our kids have the mental ability to get over a loss. It can take you a long way."

Charley Olson (3-1) went all the way on the mound for CCC (3-6), striking out six Patriots and allowing just two hits. He cruised through the first three innings with four strikeouts as the Marauders capitalized on opportunities in both the second and third innings.

Drew Eddinger singled and scored the first run in the second on a wild throw to second. Bobby Wilson also came home on a passed ball. CCC grabbed a 3-0 lead after the third on another passed ball.

"We seemed a little more alert," Vaughn said. "We had good baserunning."

Pinellas Park starter Doug Ashcroft (1-2) threw all six innings but didn't get much offensive help. CCC earned two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a Stefan Schuareman single.

[Last modified March 22, 2005, 17:25:14]