Little League

Crystal River falls to Polk Co. at state

By LARRY BUGG
Published July 19, 2005

The Crystal River baseball team lost 3-1 to Polk County on Monday night in the Dixie Majors State Tournament in Chipley.

The Citrus County team will play Northwest Florida at 1:30 p.m. today in the Panhandle town. If Crystal River (1-1) wins, it then plays the winner of the Polk-Marion County game.

Todd Bayer took the loss, pitching a complete game. He gave up six hits, struck out six and walked one.

"A Polk player hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to win it," manager Rob Cummins said. "We scored a run in the first inning. Heath Frederick led off with a double down the left field line. Chris Dvorscak sacrificed him to third. Bayer drove him in with a sacrifice fly to right."

Crystal River may have to beat a powerhouse to stay alive in the tournament.

Cummins said Polk County players are the same ones who won the Majors World Series last year. Polk is the only unbeaten team left in the tournament.

"It was a good game (Monday)," Cummins said. "We hit the ball okay but they made all the routine plays. We had a couple of opportunities but didn't come through with clutch hits."

Frederick had two hits to lead the team. Crystal River had six hits and played errorless defense.

Matt Schrantz will be the starting pitcher today for Crystal River.

[Last modified July 19, 2005, 01:09:13]