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Spartans hold off Packers' rally

By ALEX LYNCH

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 31, 2001

LARGO -- Lakewood's Kyle Crump got a lot of offensive and defensive help as he earned his seventh win 7-5 over Class 4A, District 11 foe Largo.

Lakewood catcher Patrick Smith had some words of advice for Lakewood opponents in the upcoming district and conference tournaments.

"Watch out," Smith said. "We're coming for you."

The night began well for Lakewood (10-7) as it took a 5-0 lead after two innings. With Crump (7-3), the Spartans' ace, on the mound and an offense that has come alive in the past two weeks, Lakewood sent in its reserves in the fourth inning.

But Largo rallied in the sixth inning, and Derek Valucas, Largo's No. 9 hitter, slapped a two-out, two-run double down the rightfield line to bring the Packers within two.

Although Largo (8-9) had its ace, Shane Ward (5-1) knocked out after pitching only 21/3 innings, it made Lakewood coach Mike Smith nervous. But Crump buckled down in the seventh, striking out two. And shortstop Tej Diah, who turned two double plays earlier in the game, made a nice play on a ball hit up the middle to halt the momentum.

"We got ahead and put in our substitutes to give them experience," Smith said. "But then we had to refocus, and (Crump) did a good job of that. (Diah) did a great job all night. He made some great plays at shortstop."

Lakewood locked up at least the third seed in the district tournament and stands a good chance to win the south division of the Pinellas County Athletic Conference.

With powerhouses Dunedin and Seminole in the north division, reigning South champion Lakewood has to look only to St. Petersburg (12-5) and Dixie Hollins (11-5) as its biggest concerns. "We started out a little rusty this year, but we're definitely coming on strong now," Patrick Smith said. "We're rolling on strong at the right time."

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