Pinellas Park's Ace Ends Boca Ciega's Season

The third time was not a charm for Boca Ciega High School's baseball team.

Having beaten Pinellas Park twice this year already, including a 2-0 win over Pinellas Park ace Donnie Morris. But needing a win to secure a berth in the Class 5A region quarterfinals and to advance to the Class 5A-12 district finals, the tables were turned on the Pirates.

Morris threw what both he and his coach Bill Ruttencutter claimed was his best outing of the season. Morris held Boca Ciega to two hits while striking out 14 batters in a 9-0 Pinellas Park win.

The loss ended Boca Ciega's season.

"He was on and we were not able to make contact," Boca Ciega baseball coach Ralph Rogers said. "It was probably one of his better games."

Both Morris and Ruttencutter agreed.

"My stuff was working from the get-go today," Morris said. "I got around there No. 3 and No. 4 hitters in their lineup which is their big hitters. My fastball, curveball, change-up and slider were all working for me. They were breaking over the plate. I could throw them all for strikes and I was able to threw a few bad and make them chase for it."

Unlike Morris, Boca Ciega ace Nate Aipel wasn't as strong as his first two starts against Pinellas Park. In two games against the Patriots, Aipel had not allowed a run. But now having seen Aipel enough, Pinellas Park made adjustments at the plate and hammered Aipel early.

Zach McIntyre's three-run home run in the third inning gave Pinellas Park a 4-0 lead and the Patriots cruised the rest of the way.

"Aipel left a lot of stuff up and you get hurt that way," Rogers said.

Despite the season coming to an end, Rogers put the loss in perspective.

"We had a pretty good year overall from years past," Rogers said. "We are moving in the right direction. Overall, it was a pretty good season. This is the first year we finished second in the district in some time."