Sports: Seven-run inning saves Bulldogs

Seven-run inning saves Bulldogs

By WAYNE GRUMET

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."