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Easy Opener For Citrus Park

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By JOEY JOHNSTON The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 16, 2008

The Citrus Park All-Stars aren't big or imposing. One parent said the team might not fare so well if physically larger opponents offered a football challenge in the parking lot.

Um, this wasn't football.

On Friday afternoon, it was the opening game of the Little League World Series at Williamsport, Pa. Right on cue, Citrus Park, known for its depth and versatility, immediately showed why it's a favorite to go deep into this tournament.

Citrus Park, displaying not a hint of rust or nerves, scored eight first-inning runs and registered a 10-0 no-hit victory against Canyon Lake Little League of Rapid City, S.D. The game was shortened to four innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

Rapid City - the first team from South Dakota to reach Williamsport - looked out of sorts from the start.

Citrus Park - the eighth team from Tampa to reach Williamsport - looked like it belonged.

"We weren't really nervous at all," said Citrus Park shortstop Kevin Merrell, who went 2-for-2 and got the final two outs on the mound. "We just played like we always do. When we got the big lead, we did what we had to do to finish out the game."

Citrus Park, the Southeast Region champion, will have its second game of pool play on Sunday night against Waipio Little League of Waipahu, Hawaii (8 p.m., ESPN2). After that, its final pool-play game is Monday night (6 p.m., ESPN2) against Shelton (Conn.) National Little League.

If Citrus Park finishes in the top two places of its four-team pool, it advances to the U.S. semifinals, either Wednesday or Thursday night, and needs just three victories to claim the world championship.

Michael McGuire, the Citrus Park ace, was unable to pitch against Rapid City because of a sore arm, but his absence was hardly noticed. Citrus Park used three pitchers - Levi Gilcrease, Darren Miller and Merrell. None of them surpassed the 20-pitch limit, so the staff is fresh and completely available for the next round.

"I hadn't pitched in forever, but I felt pretty good out there," said Gilcrease, the surprise starter.

Citrus Park's offense made everyone feel good.

In the first, Wyatt Reid smacked a three-run triple and Merrell had a three-run double off Rapid City pitcher Tanner Simons, who struggled with his control. Danny Lastra also added a run-scoring single.

Citrus Park tacked on two more runs in the second. Lastra had a sacrifice fly and Gilcrease scored from third on a wild pitch.

Citrus Park pitchers faced only 15 batters in four innings. Rapid City loaded the bases in the second on a pair of errors and a walk. But Miller, relieving Gilcrease, struck out two batters to end the threat. Miller pitched into the fourth, delivering 17 strikes on 20 pitches.

Merrell and Reid, at third base, were singled out by the ESPN broadcasters for brilliant defensive plays.

NOTE: Bay News 9 On Demand, Channel 342 on Bright House Networks, will offer replays of all Citrus Park games.

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