Pitchers’ duel: Pirates lose to Leopards

CRYSTAL RIVER — On a night where former MLB pitcher and Crystal River graduate Mike Hampton threw out the first pitch to commemorate the Pirates’ new baseball field, it was fitting the game that followed turned out to be a pitchers’ duel.

Crystal River and Hernando combined for seven scoreless innings before Leopards junior shortstop Christian Arroyo, who reached on a double down the third base line, scored in the eighth on a squeeze bunt by catcher Austin Treverton, lifting Hernando to a 1-0 victory in the teams’ district opener.

“It was a nice night with the opening ceremonies, but I wish we could have brought something more special for the fans,” Pirates coach Bobby Stack said. “It wasn’t a terrible game, but the biggest disappointment for us was not getting the hits when we needed.”

Leopards junior pitcher Trae Ratliff relieved junior starter Brandon Lawson in the seventh, and retired the top of the Pirates’ lineup in the bottom of the eighth to earn the win.

Meanwhile, Crystal River senior pitcher Tyler Humphreys struck out 14, walked four, and surrendered four hits in 6 2/3 innings before being relieved by senior Weston Pope. Humphreys also accounted for the Pirates’ (2-1, 0-1) only extra-base hit of the night with a double that bounced off the left field fence in the sixth.

“We didn’t capitalize like we needed to, despite having a lot of opportunities,” Stack said. “A lot of credit goes to them. We’re a good hitting team, and they kept us off balance all night.

“It was just one of those nights,” Stack added. “We’re certainly not going to get used to this.”

Humphreys threw over 100 pitches but grew stronger as the game went on, gaining better control and introducing more of his breaking ball.

Hernando (2-2, 1-0) bats found the outfield just twice against the senior, and failed to reach third base until the decisive eight inning, as the Pirates picked off four base runners.

Crystal River heads to Williston on Thursday before taking on Dunnellon at home Friday.