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Jesuit rallies to top rival Tampa Catholic

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 21, 2009

TAMPA - Jesuit sure looked in trouble after three innings Tuesday at Tampa Catholic. But as the Tigers have done all season, they found a way to win.

The Tigers (23-0) erupted for seven runs in the fourth to erase an early five-run deficit, and the nation's No. 1 team kept its perfect season intact - and earned a season sweep against its archrival - with a 12-9 victory against the Crusaders (17-6).

"This team, we have a good head on our shoulders and we understand that no matter what the deficit is, we can come back," Jesuit freshman Lance McCullers said.

McCullers (3-for-4, home run, three RBIs) provided one of the biggest blows in the fourth-inning outburst with a two-run double. That preceded Jimmy Falla's two-run homer, which tied the game at 7. Two batters later, Greg Dupell doubled home a run to give the Tigers a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Jesuit also got a big boost out of the bullpen from senior right-hander Daryl Belluccia, who worked out of an inherited bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fifth with the Tigers leading 9-7. Belluccia provided two quality innings of relief.

"Daryl is an ultra-competitive guy," Jesuit coach Richie Warren said. "He doesn't overpower anybody, but he knows how to pitch and he was successful in the right moments for us."

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