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Palm Harbor ace shuts out doubts

The senior baseball team downs Lake Wales 4-0 behind a fifth consecutive shutout from pitcher Cody Rainer.

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 2, 2001

Palm Harbor seniors pitcher Cody Rainer keeps teammates on their toes by working at a quick pace on the mound.

Combine the resulting sharp defense with a pitcher who throws strikes and opponents struggle to reach base, much less score.

Rainer, who will be a junior at Clearwater Central Catholic next season, didn't disappoint in the state title game Wednesday night and Palm Harbor completed its rise from the losers bracket with a 4-0 victory over Lake Wales.

The win, Rainer's fifth consecutive shutout in all-star play, sends Palm Harbor to the South Region tournament in Toccoa, Ga., and gives seven players a second shot at the World Series.

Last season, playing as juniors, the core of this team won the first state title in Palm Harbor history and captured the region championship before falling short in the World Series.

"They got serious and came through when they had to," Palm Harbor coach John Petika said of his team's ability to win the title after losing a 1-0 game to Lake Wales earlier in the tournament.

"They've got their sights set on the World Series. They know what to expect. When they got into the losers bracket they didn't panic, they just went to work."

In seven innings on the mound, Rainer allowed four hits, no walks and struck out seven.

On two occasions Lake Wales runners reached first and second with no outs, but double plays ended the threats.

"He's pitched terrific and the defense was terrific behind him," Petika said. "The kids have confidence in Cody because he doesn't mess around and throws strikes."

Palm Harbor scored its runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Ryan Harvey started the rally with a single and scored on a double down the leftfield line by Clay Perkett. Chris Heil followed with a single to score Perkett before advancing to third on a single by John Petika.

With runners on the corners, Brian DeGonzague walked the bases loaded. Rainer drew a walk to score Palm Harbor's third run before Tyler Clippard capped the rally with a single to score Petika.

In five state tournament games, four Palm Harbor pitchers combined to allow two runs, both to Lake Wales.

South Region play begins Monday.

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