CCC remains district frontrunner

Ace Ryan Weber goes the distance to shut down the Crusaders.

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published April 4, 2007

CLEARWATER - Ryan Weber said it was his sinker. His coach thought it was his changeup. His teammates sat behind his fastball. Tampa Catholic swore it was all three.

Weber had control of everything Tuesday night, guiding Clearwater Central Catholic to a 5-0 win over the Crusaders to stay atop the Class 3A, District 11 race. The junior (5-0) struck out 11, cruising in all seven innings.

"He's untouchable when he's like that," said Ryan Acosta, who gave Weber the only run support he needed with a two-run home run - his fourth of the year - in the first inning.

"He's definitely one of the top pitchers in the state when he's like that."

Weber was like that and better for the first three innings, holding a perfect game until the top of the fourth inning. Even after allowing three consecutive hits to load the bases, with the Marauders (12-4) up 4-0, Weber struck out the remaining side. He did it again in the fifth and sixth innings for a five-hitter.

"This was my best start of the year easily," Weber said. "It's because I had my sinker working the whole time."

After a brief lapse of offense at last week's Dunedin Classic, CCC coach Todd Vaughan was pleased with some but not all of the Marauders' at-bats.

On Tuesday, Sam Mende was 2-for-2, including the single that brought Matt Darr home in the third inning. Matt Morelli had two doubles, including an RBI in the fourth inning and was 2-for-3 alongside Nick Leone.

"It's not just one good swing, but if you can get six good ones," Vaughan said. "That's why it's called hitting and not batting. We had some guys who had more than one good at-bat."

The win over Tampa Catholic (9-5) keeps the Marauders tied for first in the district until Friday when they meet co-leader Berkeley Prep.

[Last modified April 3, 2007, 23:50:00]