Sports: Crystal River thrives with defense

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Crystal River thrives with defense

By LARRY BUGG
Published April 21, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - Ja'Vonna Grimsley hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the game's only run, and pitcher Cassidy Rash made it hold up as Crystal River nipped Dunnellon 1-0 Wednesday night.

Rash (14-3) pitched a four-hit shutout with six strikeouts and three walks to pick up the victory. Dunnellon's Sasha Reese (8-8) held the Pirates (14-4) hitless through four innings. Pirate Amber Clark singled off Reese in the fifth. Reese finished with a two-hitter with two strikeouts and four bases on balls.

Ashley Clark led off the sixth with a walk. Quincy Wilson reached when she tried a sacrifice bunt. Dunnellon (11-10) made a throwing error and Clark ended up at third base with Wilson at second. Reese walked Chelsea Pitvorec to load the bases. Grimsley then lofted a flyball to centerfield, scoring Clark.

"I hit a fastball down the middle," Grimsley said of the sacrifice fly. "Dunnellon's pitcher was alright. Cassidy had her fastball and screwball."

Rash was hit on the right wrist, her throwing arm, on a line-drive single by Kayla Holt. She said her wrist was hurting, but she was able to tough out the rest of the game.

"I was hit in the same spot before," Rash said. "My defense stepped up. They played an awesome game to back me up."

The Pirates may be missing a top player for a game or two. First baseman Ashley Bullion, who leads the team in hitting, threw her bat in the fourth inning and was ejected. She could be suspended one or more games.

The Pirates (14-4) are enjoying their most successful season since going 21-4 and reaching the state final four in 1997.

"Bullion is our senior leader," coach Justin Wentworth said. "She hits around .500. (Losing Bullion) had to hurt. ... We had to come together. We had to play small ball."

"Sasha was on," Dunnellon coach Lou Minotti said. "Both pitchers pitched excellent ballgames. There was excellent defense until we mucked up that one bunt play."