Tigers edge state champs

Jesuit doesn't have to be perfect in beating Key West 2-1.

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published March 31, 2006

TAMPA - Starting pitcher Kevin Quackenbush wasn't his sharpest, Jesuit came up empty with the bases loaded twice with fewer than two outs, and the nationally-ranked Tigers committed four errors against Key West. Not exactly a formula for success against the defending state champion Conchs, but Jesuit did just enough to slip past Key West 2-1 Thursday night.

"Most of our wins have been by larger margins, so it was good to be in a close game," Jesuit coach John Crumbley said. "We know the tradition that Key West has and they played hard."

But this wasn't the Conch (12-9) team that won the 3A title last season by a combined score of 16-0 in two final four games. Key West - which graduated six starting position players and three regular pitchers - has struggled this season, including losing all three games during its spring break trip this week.

"(Key West) had a tough week this week, but (starting pitcher Daniel) Foltz pitched a good game," Crumbley said. "It was good to be in this type of pressure situation."

Jesuit, ranked No. 5 in Class 4A and 24th nationally according to Baseball America, has now won seven in a row.

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, Jesuit (15-2) rallied for both runs and was sparked by something Crumbley rarely calls - the squeeze play.

Robby Kuzdale and Sam Dyson each singled to open the inning and wound up on second and third after a double steal. Cleanup hitter Justin Menedez then executed a perfect squeeze to tie it at 1.

"I'm not a big squeeze guy; never have been in 22 years," Crumbley said. "But we'd been leaving some guys on and weren't getting good swings. We just gambled and it worked."

Jonathan Koscso then ripped a liner to drive in Dyson with the go-ahead run. Quackenbush (4-1) went six innings, scattering four hits and striking out six. Junior Hank Lindeman fanned the side in the seventh to pick up his first save of the season.

"It was a tough situation, but it's something I've always done here," Lindeman said. "I'm comfortable with closing games."

[Last modified March 31, 2006, 01:09:18]