Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Seven-run inning saves Bulldogs

By WAYNE GRUMET

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 27, 2001

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Lake Gibson pitcher Matt Hindman seemed to have host Zephyrhills right where he wanted it Monday night.

But sitting on a 7-2 lead with two outs in the fourth inning, Hindman's powerful arm seemed to lose its potency. The pitcher, who already had recorded six strikeouts, never did get that third out.

Instead, Zephyrhills scored seven runs in the fourth inning en route to a 10-7 come-from-behind win.

"They've done it all year long. They battle back," Zephyrhills coach Bruce Cimorelli said. "They get down and they're a quiet group, but they never give up."

Aaron Young started the fourth-inning onslaught by lacing a run-scoring single through the hole in short and into leftfield.

Danny Wardell and Chris Griffin followed Young's example by sending run-scoring singles to virtually the same spot.

Pinch-hitter Chris Howard then stepped up with runners on first and second and the Bulldogs trailing 7-6. The struggling Hindman tried to slip a high fastball past Howard. It didn't work as Howard crushed the offering well past the leftfield wall, giving the Bulldogs a 9-7 lead.

"I was just looking to hit the ball hard somewhere. I wasn't expecting something right up here," Howard said of his three-run homer. "That's probably my biggest (home run). I've never hit it over the power lines before."

The second through fifth hitters in the Zephyrhills lineup crushed Lake Gibson (4-2) all night. Kyle Watson, Young, Wardell and Griffin combined for 10 hits, 5 RBI and 6 runs. Zephyrhills (4-3) got its offense back on track in the fourth but now the Bulldogs needed to stop Lake Gibson's attack.

After Bulldogs starter Tyson Prickett was rocked for seven runs in 31/3 innings, Cimorelli handed the ball to Griffin.

The right-hander delivered, allowing just a bunt single during 22/3 scoreless innings.

But after walking the first two Lake Gibson batters in the top of the seventh inning, Griffin was relieved in favor of Wardell.

Wardell, who was also 3-for-3 offensively, struck out the side, saving the Bulldogs' win.

"It was a team effort. Everybody contributed, defensively, offensively and pitching-wise," Cimorelli said. "We've got 14 kids that work hard every day."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright