Kellogg paces Pirates

Senior's mighty swing leads Crystal River to a 12-2 win over Lecanto.

By LARRY BUGG
Published April 6, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - Just one day after his 19th birthday, James Kellogg had more to celebrate, belting two home runs and a double, and driving in four runs.

Crystal River used Kellogg's outburst, and a two-run home run by R.J. Cummins, to down Lecanto 12-2 in a mercy-rule five-inning victory. Crystal River (9-5), which has won four in a row, topped Lecanto (3-9) for the second time this season.

Kellogg, who was 4-for-4, jacked a home run off Mike Bevis in the second inning. His blast ignited a four-run Pirates outburst. Cummins belted his home run in the fourth to score Chris Dvorscak, who had doubled.

Kellogg led off the fifth with his second homer. He hit a bases-loaded walkoff double to end the inning and the game.

Kellogg wasn't that impressed with his hitting.

"I didn't make solid contact," said Kellogg, a senior leftfielder. "Not a single one. The pitches were on the inside corner. I guess I was lucky."

Pirates starter Matt Schrantz (4-0) tossed a two-hitter, striking out three and walking two.

"Schrantzy battled," acting head coach Mike Gufford said. "He didn't have his best stuff. We swung the bats well. Kellogg had a huge game."

"(The Pirates) swing the bats really well," Lecanto coach Bruce Sheffield said. "They play solid defense. They have kids who can hit the ball. When we don't hit our spots, they are going to make you pay for it. Our kids battled. Mike (Bevis) battled but missed his spots."

Crystal River hosts Hernando on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in a makeup game.

[Last modified April 6, 2005, 01:07:18]