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Citrus Park relief pitcher Kevin Merrell (2) is comforted by teammates Michael McGuire (17) and Daniel Martin (1) after being taken out of the game in the fourth inning against Lake Charles, La.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 22, 2008

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - One day, when the Citrus Park All-Stars become men with families of their own, the memories will make them happy.

One day, when their athletic careers are over and far-flung tales are spun, they will remember their trip to the Little League World Series. They will talk about the wonder of it all.

One day.

Thursday night, even though it stung, they still walked away with pride. There were no tears. Just a lot of smiles.

Citrus Park was no match for Lake Charles, La., falling 6-1 in a U.S. semifinal devoid of suspense, finally ending its unforgettable summer, but in an equally unforgettable setting - before the 17,800 fans who squeezed into every nook and cranny of Lamade Stadium.

"That's a classy team we played," Louisiana manager Charlie Phillips said.

Afterward, in a fairly unprecedented move, Citrus Park manager Joe McGuire shared the news-conference dais with Phillips and four Louisiana players.

"We're after the same things here - playing hard, playing fair, developing our guys into productive people," McGuire said. "They're a great team. We just didn't have enough to beat them. Getting as far as we did, that's pretty good."

Citrus Park players will not return to Tampa until Monday (their Continental flight from Newark, N.J., is due in at 2:40 p.m.). McGuire said the team may even play a consolation game Saturday, even though one wasn't scheduled, against an international team.

"That typifies our group," McGuire said. "They love to play."

After that, it's back to reality - and back to school. Some parents lamented one fact - they haven't yet purchased school supplies. Louisiana, meanwhile, carries on the dream into Saturday afternoon's U.S. championship game against Waipahu, Hawaii.

Louisiana starter Kennon Fontenot, who throws the equivalent of a 100 mph major-league fastball, baffled Citrus Park batters with 11 strikeouts. Fontenot allowed just two hits, but had to exit after allowing an infield single to Lee Huckaby with two outs in the sixth inning (he reached the 85-pitch limit).

Citrus Park, which fell behind 3-0, scored its only run on a wild pitch. Only once did Fontenot allow two base runners in an inning - and Brett Wilkosz went down swinging, ending that mini-threat in the fourth inning.

Meanwhile, Citrus Park starter Michael McGuire was lifted in the second inning after hitting two batters and walking one. McGuire had been unavailable since the Southeast Region tournament, due to an arm and elbow injury. He tried to go on Thursday night, but didn't have his best stuff.

"We got two hits off Fontenot and neither of those was hit too hard," Joe McGuire said. "That's not enough.

"Michael McGuire was a little rusty, we fell behind and that was it. Louisiana is absolutely a great team. But at the same time, we kept battling, all the way to the end. It just wasn't enough."

One day, the enduring memory will be of reaching Williamsport, staving off elimination, playing on national television. That memory will last forever.

"No matter what happened here tonight," Joe McGuire said, "we've all had an experience we'll never forget."

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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