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Huckaby's Homer Keeps Citrus Park Undefeated

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By LEE DIEKEMPER

Tribune correspondent

Published: August 5, 2008

GULFPORT - Citrus Park Little League took another step toward Williamsport, Pa., and the Little League World Series by surviving a bases-loaded jam in the top of the sixth inning to defeat Warner Robins (Ga.) Little League 3-2 Monday at Arnold S. White Sr. Stadium at the Southeast Region. The win by Citrus Park, which is now 2-0 in pool play, put it in prime position to win Pool A and move into the semifinals.

Despite the win against the defending Little League World Series winners, Citrus Park coach Joe McGuire brushed off any talk of the semifinals.

"I don't know about that," McGuire said. "We're here to win every game. That was a good team we played."

Two players who participated in the World Series last year returned to play for this year's Warner Robins' squad.

"They're good hitters," said Michael McGuire, the winning pitcher for Citrus Park, the only undefeated team in its pool. "I just threw the ball well so long as I didn't keep the ball high. I was feeling good tonight."

Thanks largely to Lee Huckaby's pinch-hit solo home run to lead off the fourth inning, Citrus Park may advance. Huckaby belted a shot on the first pitch he saw well over the left-field fence not too far from the foul pole. The blast was long enough - the only doubt was if it was fair or foul - and gave Citrus Park a 3-1 lead. As it turned out, it would need the insurance run.

Huckaby almost didn't get a chance to hit a home run much less play in the region. Throughout the Little League postseason, Huckaby has been afflicted with a flu-like ailment that doctors have yet to diagnose other than he is nauseous. Because of his illness, Huckaby has to limit his time in the sun. Otherwise, Huckaby would be starting most of the postseason games.

"I was coming over here," Huckaby said of the region tournament. "There's no way I can miss this. Just coming into the game feels good."

He didn't miss the first pitch. Having already used a couple of pinch-hitters, McGuire wanted to kick-start his offense and decided to have Huckaby pinch-hit to begin the bottom of the fourth, batting in the No. 8 hole. McGuire's hunch worked perfectly.

The crowd that packed the 2,400-seat stadium didn't react with a loud roar, rather a collective "Oh!"

"He threw me a fastball outside and I swung," Huckaby said, clutching the same ball he won the game with. "It surprised me. I thought it was going foul then I saw it curving."

Georgia had a solo home run in the sixth to pull within a run and later loaded the bases. With two out, Citrus Park catcher Ryan McCullers fielded a ball tapped just barely fair in front of the plate and tagged home, ending the game.

Citrus Park plays Tullahoma National (Tenn.) today at 4 p.m., knowing a win would earn it first place in Pool A, and a game against the Pool B runner-up Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

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