Citrus prevails in pitching duel over Tarpon Springs

By DAWN REISS
Published May 11, 2005

INVERNESS - Citrus collectively held its breath as sophomore Joey Budnick faced Tarpon Springs freshman Nick Johnson, who potentially could put his team ahead with one swing of the bat in the seventh inning..

But it took Budnick only two pitches - both curves he had consistently thrown all night - to knock off the Spongers' last batter and secure a 2-0 victory.

Budnick (8-1), who threw 83 pitches in a a complete game, started the seventh by striking out George Van Riper. Mike Koulianous got on base after umpires called Citrus for obstruction. Budnick struck out his fifth batter of the night before Tarpon Springs' Matt Shelby followed with a double to right that put the Spongers in position to at least tie the game with runners on second and third.

"There were two gunslingers out there tonight," Tarpon Springs coach Dan Genna said about the pitching. "Their pitcher really got them out of some jams. Citrus' defense got us in jams with their double plays and their execution."

Despite getting sick before the game, Tarpon Springs' Kyle Midgette (7-5) pitched a four-hitter, with five strikeouts, walking three.

"It was a shame either of these guys had to lose," Citrus coach Jon Bolin said. "They both poured their guts out tonight."

Senior centerfield Nick Van Gorder put Citrus ahead early, doubling in the bottom of the second. Van Gorder stole third and came home on a Budnick sacrifice fly that put the 'Canes up 1-0. Citrus turned two double plays and used it defense to continue to hold Tarpon Springs at bay. With one out in the third, senior Ryan McPherson doubled to center, but Citrus couldn't find a way to capitalize on it. McPherson took a Midgette pitch to get on base to start the sixth inning and moved up on a wild pitch. One out later, junior Chris North boomed a triple (his first of the season) to the left-field gap to score McPherson. "I kept thinking this is crazy," North said. "But I knew we needed to stay strong. I knew no matter what Joey (Budnick) was going to come through no matter how I hit the ball."

[Last modified May 11, 2005, 00:47:09]