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Crystal River rolls past Texas squad in opening game

The major baseball team scores early and often in defeating Lufkin 11-1 in five innings.

By CAREY FREEMAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 29, 2001

Crystal River turned some heads in the opening game of the Dixie Majors World Series with an 11-1 rout of last year's runner-up, Lufkin, Texas, in a game called after the fifth inning because of the mercy rule.

Jimmy Metz held Lufkin to three hits and struck out six while Crystal River scored six runs in the second inning, one in the third and four in the fourth.

"Any time you go out and beat someone 11-1 in the opening game of a World Series, I think people are going to talk about it," Crystal River coach Bo Trenary said.

"As far as being the team to beat, I don't know. But we're playing as good a ball as anyone else out there."

Crystal River served warning in the second inning, giving Metz the comfort and confidence of a 6-0 lead.

Will Bleakley sparked the rally with an RBI double and scored two batters later on a single by Metz (2-for-3, a run, two RBI).

After Danny Caron reached on an error, Matt Maggiore brought he and Metz home with a double. Kyle Griffin singled home Maggiore to complete the rally.

"We used the momentum when we got a few hits in a row," Bleakley said. "Our bats just shut them down. They really couldn't do much."

Crystal River added another run in the third when Scott Miller scored on a bases-loaded fielder's choice by Maggiore.

Crystal River loaded the bases in the fourth on two walks and an error. Metz drove home the first run on a sacrifice fly, and Caron doubled home two more.

The final run scored on an error.

Crystal River faces Hope City, Ark. at 2 p.m. today. Hope City defeated Lancaster, S.C., 8-6 in one of six first-round games played Saturday.

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