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Jesuit Rallies In 7th Inning To Top Rival TC, 7-6

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By SCOTT PURKS

Tribune correspondent

Published: February 21, 2009

TAMPA - Bottom of the seventh. Two outs. Bases loaded. Trailing by two runs against your fiercest rival.

Jesuit's Austin Hartzler stepped in and swung at the first pitch, lining it up the middle to set the runners in motion.

As the ball skipped under the glove of the Tampa Catholic center fielder, three Tigers crossed the plate, and Jesuit - suddenly, shockingly - had defeated the Crusaders, 7-6.

The play ended a sloppy season opener for both squads and seemed to leave some emotions rather raw.

"As far as I'm concerned, we won the game," TC coach Rich Arena said. "I mean, it came down to one play that they scored three runs on."

Before that final play, however, TC basically loaded the bases for Jesuit by hitting a batter, allowing a bunt single, then walking consecutive batters, pushing across one run.

In the sixth, Jesuit was more than generous, committing five errors and giving up four hits that led to five TC runs.

"No doubt, we have got to play better defense than that," Jesuit coach Richie Warren said. "There is no reason for that many mistakes."

Warren noted that both teams were fired up because it was the first game and against a huge rival.

"So maybe we were a little more tense than usual," Warren said. "I do have to give our guys credit, though. With this group, it's never over until that final out."

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