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PREP BASEBALL

Shutout Lifts CCC Into 3A Baseball Final

By CHAD BROCKHOFF Special to The Tribune

Published: May 15, 2007

SARASOTA - It wasn't Ryan Weber's best performance of the season, but the Clearwater Central Catholic right-hander got plenty of help from his fielders and Jacksonville Bolles in Monday's Class 3A state semifinal game at Ed Smith Stadium.

Surrendering a season-high seven hits, Weber was the benefactor of exceptional defensive plays and Bolles' failed execution as the Marauders moved into the state championship game with a 3-0 victory. Clearwater Central Catholic, which scored two of its runs thanks to errors, will play for the school's fourth state title tonight at 7 against Trinity Prep.

After Weber (11-0) gave up singles to two of the first four hitters he faced, right fielder Jeff Ijias got him out of the jam with a great grab.

Having already shown off his glove, Ijias demonstrated what type of arm he has in the top of the sixth inning when he threw out courtesy runner Niko Fraser at the plate to preserve a 1-0 lead.

"Unbelievable," CCC head coach Todd Vaughan said about Ijias' throw following a single by Grant Sieron. "I thought that he had a shot because the ground is fairly hard here and it got to him really quick. It was straight at him and he didn't have to go right or left. Jeff has the ability to make the play when we need the play."

Knowing that opportunities were running out for his team, Bolles coach Mike Boswell decided to wave Fraser around third.

Catcher Matt Darr, who made plays at home in the fourth and sixth innings, also picked off Preston Hodd at second base in the third inning.

Darr added the insurance runs that Weber needed in the sixth, driving home Joe McLemore with a double and scoring on the errant throw to the plate.

Darr reached base safely in all three of his plate appearances.

Second baseman Matt Morelli had three of the Marauders' eight hits, but his most valuable contribution came in the fifth inning when he fielded a grounder up the middle, stepped on second and threw to first to complete a double play.

With Hood and Richie King getting on to start the inning, the Bulldogs (24-7) appeared to be in business in the third inning. Matt Barnes grounded out following the pickoff of Hood and King continued to run, which allowed first baseman Zack Upton to initiate an inning-ending rundown.

With one out in the fourth, Fraser was caught between third and home. Darr threw down to Ryan Acosta, who then threw the ball back home and Darr made the tag.

"The only mistake that they made was when [Hood] got picked off at second," Vaughan said. "You can't get picked off on a bunt. If they mess up a squeeze, that's not the runner's fault.

"The guy trying to go from first to third was just an aggressive play that worked out our way."