Metz is trying to strike some college attention

The Lecanto pitcher is only a junior but busy working on his future.

By KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 8, 2001

Jimmy Metz is not leaving anything to chance.

He recently mailed letters of interest to more than 12 college baseball programs, and every weekend he sends to the same schools his weekly statistics, along with game-by-game updates on the back of a postcard.

"I'm getting my name out there," Metz said. "I'm basically doing all I can do to get myself to go some place (for college)."

A pitcher/shortstop for Lecanto, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound junior is one of the area's best all-around players. Metz is the Panthers' No. 1 pitcher, and he has the team's highest batting average.

"He's a real good player," said Crystal River's Clayton Trenary. "I've faced him since Little League. When he's pitching, he keeps me guessing. It's hard to tell what's coming."

Metz has been a hit since Day 1.

As a ninth-grader, he batted .321 and set the school record for wins by going 6-3 with a 2.06 ERA. Last season, he went 5-4 with a 3.13 ERA and hit .301 for a 7-21 Lecanto squad. "I think (Metz) may be one of the best competitors I've seen in high school baseball in a long time," Crystal River coach Brent Hall said.

"He throws several different pitches, but the main thing is that he keeps you off-balance. You look in his eye and he thinks he's going to beat you."

This season, Metz has a .482 batting average, which ranks third in the county, but he is 0-3 on the mound despite having pitched two games in which he struck out 10 or more batters.

"He's had a real good year," Lecanto coach Bill Emerson said. "He's hitting well, and we throw him against the best teams we play so his record is not what it could be."

Exhibit A: In a 6-3 loss to Citrus three weeks ago, Metz struck out 13 and allowed one earned run.

Exhibit B: In an 8-1 loss to Zephyrhills last week, Metz was saddled with a defeat even though he allowed two earned runs and struck out 10 against what is thought to be the North Suncoast's top hitting team.

"I'm not upset (about being 0-3)," Metz said. "I know my teammates are giving it their all."

And so is Metz.

The hits keep on coming and the letters keep on going.

"I'm going to give it all I've got, so at least I can say that I tried," Metz said. "It's most kids' dream (to play in college), but I'm trying to make it a reality."

A NEW STREAK: After starting the season on an eight-game skid, Lecanto is begining to come alive.

Tuesday nights's 6-4 come-from-behind win against South Sumter was the Panthers' second straight victory.

"The whole team's attitude has changed," said Lecanto third baseman/outfielder Matt Andrews.

"We've stopped making errors and started making plays, and the hitting has come around. Everybody is starting to get their head in the game, and we're having a lot more fun."

Extending the winning steak will be difficult.

The Panthers play host to Hernando today and Crystal River on Friday. Both games start at 6:30 p.m. Hernando is the only team to have beaten Crystal River.

"Two in a row is nice, but three in a row and you've really turned it around," Emerson said.

NO WORRIES: Despite back-to-back losses, Citrus coach Mike Taylor has not pushed the panic button.

The Hurricanes lost to Crystal River 3-2 and Belleview 10-6 on consecutive nights last week, thanks in large part to a combined 12 fielding errors.

"The biggest thing we've talked about this week is being ready and making the plays," Taylor said. "You play some good games and you get a few mistakes in there. It comes with the territory."

Citrus plays at Wesley Chapel tonight and at Hernando on Friday.

"We're still positive," Taylor said. "If we can improve our weaknesses, we should be in pretty good shape."

NOTABLE: Crystal River's roster, schedule and updated statistics can be found at www.highwired.com. ... In its 6-4 win against Dunnellon on Monday, Crystal River had three hits through six innings and three hits in the seventh inning. ... Citrus will travel to Baseball City on Sunday to watch Kansas City and Philadelphia play a spring training game.

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