Pinellas baseball: Barons overpowered as Crusaders sweep

By JUSTIN DARGAHI, Times Correspondent
Published March 12, 2008

TAMPA - Even two home runs from third baseman Ben Stewart couldn't help St. Petersburg Catholic get over the hump Tuesday against district rival Tampa Catholic.

The Crusaders displayed their fair share of power as well, smacking three home runs for a 9-4 win to sweep the season series.

Centerfielder Eric Gerken got Tampa Catholic (6-2) started with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Crusaders added another first-inning run when starting pitcher Ryan Hammer singled home Shane Rowland.

"We got a couple home runs, and our bats are definitely coming around," Tampa Catholic coach Rich Arena said. "I've always had confidence that we were going to swing it, and the guys are getting settled in."

Stewart cut the Crusaders' lead to one with a home run to dead center in the third inning. But Tampa Catholic responded with two runs in each of its last three innings, including home runs from Preston Packrall and Rowland, whoreached base in all four of his plate appearances.

Stewart hit his second home run in the fifth inning and finished 3-for-4, but it was too little, too late as the rest of the team combined for five hits.

"We wanted to challenge Stewart, but he's been hitting the ball very well," Arena said. "I thought the first home run he hit was on a very good pitch."

Hammer went four innings to get the win for Tampa Catholic. Bobby Twitty took the loss after allowing three runs in his 1 2/3 innings.

[Last modified March 12, 2008, 00:34:23]