OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Dunnellon Tigers varsity baseball team may have had a slow start to their season, but you wouldn’t have known it on Monday afternoon at the College of Central Florida.

The Tigers dominated their longtime rivals, the Crystal River Pirates, with an 11-1 victory in just five innings. The win improves Dunnellon’s record to 4-10, while Crystal River falls to 4-11.

The Pirates struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Levi Kofmehl doubled home Grayson Stack, who had drawn a walk. However, Dunnellon quickly responded, tying the game in the bottom half of the inning. A groundout by Forest Clifton (2-4, 2B, RBI) brought home Gavin Whitehead (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), who had doubled earlier in the frame.

Gavin Whitehead (#9) steps up to bat during Dunnellon’s game against Crystal River at the College of Central Florida on Monday. The Tigers secured an 11-1 victory in five innings.
Gavin Whitehead (#9) steps up to bat during Dunnellon’s game against Crystal River at the College of Central Florida on Monday. The Tigers secured an 11-1 victory in five innings. Courtesy: David Houtz/College of Central Florida

Dunnellon broke the game open in the second inning, scoring five runs on just one hit—an RBI single by Draven White (1-1, RBI). A combination of two hit batters, two errors, and four walks allowed the Tigers to extend their lead to 6-1.

Dunnellon’s Dylan Donahue (#10) prepares to swing during a game against Crystal River at the College of Central Florida on Monday. The Tigers won 11-1 in five innings.
Dunnellon’s Dylan Donahue (#10) prepares to swing during a game against Crystal River at the College of Central Florida on Monday. The Tigers won 11-1 in five innings. Courtesy: David Houtz/College of Central Florida

In the third inning, Mike Payne (1-2, HR, RBI) launched a solo home run to deep right field, making it 7-1. The Tigers tacked on another run in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a double steal and an error. The game ended via the run rule in the fifth, following Whitehead’s two-run double and a game-ending error off the bat of Dylan Donahue (1-3, RBI).

On the mound, Mark Pastorella delivered a stellar performance, throwing a complete five-inning game. He allowed just four hits and one run while striking out seven Pirate batters.

The teams will face off again on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Crystal River High School.

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