![Nature Coast's Raymond Groetsch pitches against Cypress Creek. [Photo by Cynthia Leota]](https://www.hernandosun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_9696.jpg "DSC_9696")
BROOKSVILLE — In the baseball world, there’s an age-old adage that says pitching is always ahead of hitting early in the season.
Does Nature Coast coach Dan Garofano buy into it?
“Well, this year I do,” Garofano said.
With good reason. In the latest installment of Nature Coast’s early part of the season, the Sharks rode the back of yet another strong outing by their pitching staff to a 2-1 victory against host Central. Starter Raymond Groetsch and reliever Brady McMurdo combined on a four-hitter on a chilly Friday night in which the Nature Coast bats remained as cold as they have all season. But the Sharks (3-1) still managed their second victory in a week against the Bears
Groetsch carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning and finished with 10 strikeouts as he improved his record to 2-0. Central’s Jacob Lugo broke up the no-hitter with a bloop single to right field after Ryan Engley led off the fifth by drawing Groetsch’s only walk of the night. Groetsch then got a Central flyout and two groundouts to work his way out of the inning.
With Groetsch and Nature Coast carrying a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, Central loaded the bases as Tristan King and Jordan Lendo each singled and Korbin Baskind reached on an error. Talyn Poole knocked in Central’s only run of the game with a fielder’s choice ground ball to second base. But Groetsch worked his way out of further trouble by striking out the last two batters of the inning.
“Raymond was outstanding for his second straight outing,” Garofano said. “He was throwing his fastball and slider for strikes and he stayed ahead in the count all night.”
Groetsch, a senior right-hander, threw 94 pitches before giving way to McMurdo, who suddenly has carved a role as Nature Coast’s closer in addition to being a standout catcher. McMurdo, who picked up the win in relief in a nine-inning, 5-4 win against Central on Tuesday night earned the save this time around. McMurdo gave up a walk to Noah Sanchez to lead off the seventh inning.
Sanchez advanced to second on a stole base and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brodee Haas. With the tying run only 90 feet away from home plate, Nature Coast got its biggest defensive play of the night. Senior first baseman Joe Rozsa made a diving catch on a bunt attempt by Jayden Warren.
“(Rozsa) made an incredible play,” Garofano said. “He read it perfectly and just made a great, great play when we needed it.”
With two outs and Sanchez still at third, McMurdo struck out the final batter to end the game.
The performance by Groetsch and McMurdo spoiled an excellent outing by Baskind, who pitched the first five and two-third innings for Central. For much of the game Groetsch and Baskind were locked in a classic pitchers’ duel. Baskind threw 93 pitches, allowing just three hits and striking out seven.
Nature Coast came into the game with a meager .189 team batting average and Baskind kept their bats mostly silent. But the Sharks made the most of their limited offensive production. Senior designated hitter Jackson Hoyt, who is better known for his role as Nature Coast’s pitching ace, led off the fourth inning with a line-drive double down the left-field line and moved to third base on a wild pitch. Hoyt then scored the game’s first run when Joey Vancleave grounded out to first.
The Sharks took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning when Mario Deangelis’ single to left field knocked in Beckett Monroe who led off the inning with a walk and, then, stole second base.
That was just enough offense for Nature Coast — this time around.
“We’re living on our pitching right now,” Garofano said. “Counting our two preseason games, we’ve had five one-run games this season. It’s great to win tight games because, if we get to the playoffs, we’re going to have to win tight games. This is a very cohesive group. We practice very well and we’ve been getting great pitching and defense so far. But, at some point, we’ve got to start hitting the ball.”
The Sharks will continue to try to find their offense next week when they play at Weeki Wachee on Tuesday and host the Hornets on Friday. They also have a Thursday night game at Cypress Creek.
Central will host Springstead on Tuesday and will play the Eagles on the road Friday. The Bears also have a Wednesday night game at Fivay High in Hudson.
