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Crosson Burns Zeno's Pizza

FLOWERS DRIVES IN TWO RUNS IN VICTORY

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Zeno’s Thomas Watson slides safely into third ahead of Crosson infielder Jason Sava’s tag during Monday’s Dixie Boys (ages 13-14) game at Durrah Martin Recreational Complex.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: May 6, 2008

AVON PARK — A move up in talent and experience may spook some kids, but to Stephen Flowers, it's still just baseball.

Flowers went 2 for 2 with a walk and two RBI, while Colton Brock and Lane Crosson combined to hurl a no-hitter to lead Travis Crosson Tree Service to a 11-2 five-inning win over Zeno's Pizza in Dixie Boys (ages 13-14) at Durrah Martin Recreational Complex on Monday.

"I still just go out and put the ball in play," Flowers said. "This team's got a lot more experience, and we played our heart out tonight."

Brock struggled with his control at times and allowed five walks in the game. The walks became hazardous in the second inning, when Brock loaded the bases on three consecutive base-on-balls to Thomas Watson, Andrew Willingham and Auston Knutson at the bottom of the order, but he calmed down to strike out the next batter to get out of the jam.

"We always seem to stress ourselves into bad situations," said Crosson coach Jeff Brock. "I think we still get intimidated by the big field, but we were able to avoid giving up that one big inning tonight like we normally have been."

Crosson wasted little time in taking the lead, scoring five runs in the first on three hits and taking advantage of a pair of fielding miscues by Zeno's.

Jason Sava beat out a throw to first for an infield hit and runners were on second and third after an error on a hard-hit shot by Billy Rogers. A walk to Anthony Sarrano loaded the bases and Matt Roberts fly ball into left was misplayed and two runs scored. An infield hit by Flowers drove in a run and Lane Crosson hit into the gap in center to score two runs for a 5-0 lead.

Flowers also made a pair of solid plays at catcher, tagging two runners out at the plate — one on a remarkable over the shoulder tag to end the game.

"My defense is something I wanted to improve on this season," Flowers said. "I've also been working on my base running and just improving my hitting. I want to always get better as a ball player."

After Crosson added another in the top of the third, Zeno's got on the board when pitcher Cole Jones drew a walk and went to third on a bad throw to first. Jones scored on an RBI ground out by Alex Rosa, but Brock struck out the final two batters to end the inning.

Coach Brock was impressed by his team's play and how they've learned to control their emotions on the field.

"I think we played our most complete game here tonight," Coach Brock said. "We've got a lot of good players on the team and we just have to keep learning to not get down on ourselves if we make a mistake. Just let it go and move on to the next batter or the next at-bat."

Travis Crosson added five runs — four unearned — over the final two innings to put the game out of reach.

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