Nesius steps up for Tigers

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Sean Nesius says he prefers being a closer, but after the way he pitched Friday night, the right-hander might want to reconsider.

Making only his second start of the season, the Palmetto High senior turned in six solid innings to help the Tigers earn a 9-3 victory over host Lakewood Ranch in a non-district game.

“I’ve been a closer for the last year and a half, and I like it better, but this was good,” Nesius said. “I like coming into big situations and trying to close the game out. It’s fun shutting the door at the end of a big game and picking up my teammates.”

Nesius allowed only four hits, struck out six, was charged with only one earned run and did not issue a walk — though he hit four batters — to pick up his first win after two losses.

“My slider was my punch-out pitch tonight. It was really working for me,” Nesius said.

Palmetto (6-5) got all the offense it needed from Granden Goetzman, who was 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles and a single while driving in three runs to push his season average over the .500 mark.

“I was seeing the ball well and was just trying to stay back,” the junior said. “It would’ve been nice to hit for the cycle, and it was the second time this year I missed it by one.”

Palmetto scored three runs in the first with the big blow coming on a two-run double by Goetzman. The Tigers added two more in the third on a two-run single by Brett Vedder. Jarrett Bielawski also had two hits.

The loss snapped a two-game win streak for Lakewood Ranch (3-8).

The Mustangs’ hits came off the bats of Shane Davidson, Brett Hanewich, Reggie Lindsey and Phil DiLandro with Davidson’s double the only extra-base hit.

“We didn’t get some timely hitting in key situations, and they came out and swung the bat when they had to,” Lakewood Ranch head coach Mike Mullen said. “We made a couple of mistakes defensively, but we had a good week and we are getting there.

“We are making strides and starting to play better and finding guys who are consistent. We are gearing up for the stretch run and feeling a little more confident.”

Nesius was picked to start because of several injuries. He had 11 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings coming into the game.

“We are little banged up with our pitchers and Sean can relieve middle, can start and come in and close games, so he is very valuable to us,” Palmetto head coach Joe Collis said.