Tornado doesn't fall flat in debut
Clearwater 7, Dixie Hollins 3
By DOUG KATES,Times Correspondent
Published March 20, 2007
CLEARWATER - Ryan Goodman earned his first start on the mound this season. Now he is hoping there will be much more to come.
Goodman tossed a complete-game, six-hitter Monday night as Clearwater defeated Dixie Hollins 7-3.
"He was sensational," first-year coach Perry Lopez said.
"I've had other starts in other places, but this was my first in high school," Goodman said. "I hope I'll earn it again."
The game was tied at 2 when the Rebels (6-9) used two hits and a sacrifice fly to take a 3-2 advantage in the third inning. From that point, Goodman only allowed three base runners.
The Tornadoes offense gave Goodman enough help to overcome the deficit. A three-run, third-inning rally put Clearwater (8-4) back in front for good.
Goodman finished with five strikeouts. The Tornadoes collected six hits, including three singles by Sean O'Brien, and a triple and a single by T.J. Becker.
Lopez said this was a big win because his team is still adjusting to its new coach. After a 5-1 start to the season, Clearwater went on a 2-3 skid. Lopez hopes his kids will come away with this win with a ton of confidence. He also coaches aggressiveness and first-pitch swinging at the plate.
"That's what we're trying to get them to do," Lopez said. "When they throw you a good pitch, that's the one you go out and get."
Jeff Conard had an RBI double to lead the Rebels, but defensively four errors and three hit batters proved costly.
NO MORE GIMMES: After cruising through nondescript opponents, Clearwater Central Catholic got the type of test it wanted in two games in Fort Myers last weekend: A tough one.
The Marauders beat Fort Myers Bishop Verot 8-3 and St. Paul's (Washington D.C.) 12-1.
Joe McLemore pitched against Bishop Verot and improved to 4-0. Ryan Weber also remained undefeated (3-0) after throwing a five-hitter against St. Paul's.
The biggest performance at the plate came from Sam Mende, who hit a combined two doubles and a triple in both games.
CCC (8-1) will get another test this weekend in Dunedin's spring tournament.
ON FIRE: Largo's Blake May is on a nice hitting streak. The junior hit .750 last week, including 4-for-4 against Dixie Hollins.
Staff writer Bob Putnam contributed to this report.