Basil Spyridakos, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
TARPON SPRINGS — Dunedin's Mike Clarkson established himself as one of Pinellas County's elite pitchers, throwing a complete-game, six-inning shutout and recording his second win of the season Tuesday night.
"He threw well for me out there," Dunedin coach Tom Hilbert said. "I think he's got really good stuff and he's definitely a competitor.
Clarkson allowed only three hits and struck out nine, leading the Falcons to a 10-0 victory over Tarpon Springs.
Dunedin's Jordan Savinon got the game going by hitting an RBI double into centerfield and scoring the game's first run in the first inning. Savinon finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a walk.
The bottom half of the inning belonged to Clarkson, who struck out the side and established momentum for Dunedin.
"We knew that Tarpon was a good team this year and we just wanted to come out and play our game," Clarkson said. "Our hitting came together and I felt really good on the mound."
The bats became apparent at the top of the fourth when Ben Emery led off with a double, followed by a single from Alex Libby and an RBI single by Michael Tipton. Dunedin (4-0) crossed home plate three times in the third and four times in the fourth.
Tarpon Springs (3-1) hurt itself with multiple errors as well as passed balls at the plate that Dunedin took advantage of.
"We've just got to move on," Tarpon Springs coach Dickey Hart said. "Dunedin's a good team. You can't make those kinds of mistakes against them."