TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Blue Streaks Blank Dragons

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring's Kyle Long is congratulated by third base coach Buck Rapp after slamming a two-run homer in the third inning of Thursday's win over Lake Placid in the Early Bird Classic at Head Field.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: February 16, 2008

AVON PARK –– A slumbering Sebring offense, paced by designated hitter Kyle Long's two-run homer, banged out 10 hits, and pitcher Steven Fortner celebrated his 18th birthday by tossing a six-hit, five-inning shutout, and the Blue Streak baseball team beat Lake Placid 16-0 in the Bill Jarrett Early Bird Classic at Head Field.

"This was a good win and that goose egg on the board for Lake Placid is a nice present," Fortner said. "I'm still working on my fundamentals after playing football and I felt a lot better as the game went on.

"I stayed calm, threw strikes and once we got the big lead, I just let my defense go to work for me."

The win evened Sebring's record at 1-1.

"We hit the ball a little better than we have been," said Blue Streak coach Hoppy Rewis. "But we had a lot of help from Lake Placid with hit batters and errors that prolonged some innings.

"Steven did a good job on the mound by throwing strikes and made some good pitches when he needed too."

Th e loss dropped the Green Dragons, who have committed eight errors in two games, to 0-2.

"I'm not doing a very good job of coaching because I can't get the kids to listen to what I want them to do," said Lake Placid coach Dan Coomes. "Until we start doing things right and executing the proper way, we're going to look just like this."

Sebring leadoff hitter Cody Higgins, who went 3 for 3 and scored three runs, drilled a double to left-center field to start the game and Cory Watt followed with an infield single.

A wild pitch by Lake Placid right-hander Perry Mason moved the runners into scoring position and another wild pitch scored Higgins.

Third baseman Adam Simmons followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Watt for a quick 2-0 lead.

The Blue Streaks kept up the pressure in the second inning as right fielder Sheldon Williams lined a one-out single and and Higgins worked Mason for a walk.

Watt followed with a single to left field to score one run and when the left fielder misplayed the ball, the fleet-footed Higgins scored all the way from first base for a 4-0 lead.

"Cody and Cory can both swing the bats," said Rewis. "They also have good speed and that helps our offense in a lot of ways."

Long got into the act with a two-run homer in the third inning and Sebring sealed the win with a six-run fourth.

Fortner, who allowed one walk, struck out four to pick up the win.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT