Morris delivers for GV

Spencer Patterson

Friday, April 27, 2001 | 10:52 a.m.

Mention Green Valley's baseball team, and most people think of Gator all-stars such as sweet-swinging outfielder Garrett Guzman, ace fireballer Jake Dittler or slick-fielding shortstop Zeke Parraz.

But as the Southeast Division race nears its conclusion, perhaps no one has been more valuable to first-place Green Valley than pitcher Adam Morris.

Earlier this month, Morris relieved an injured Dittler to save the Gators' key conference-opening win over top-ranked Basic. And on Thursday, the senior shut down visiting rival Silverado in a 3-1 win, putting Green Valley in the driver's seat for the division title.

"Adam won the game for us today single-handedly," said Gators coach Nick Garritano, whose club rebounded from Tuesday's stunning 23-6 loss to Basic. "My hat's off to him. No one in town knew who he was, but when he gets the ball down he's very effective."

Green Valley (16-6, 5-1 Southeast) was actually out-hit 6-4 by the Skyhawks (20-7, 3-2), but managed to come out in front thanks to Morris, the defense behind him and a critical Silverado error in the third inning.

With the Gators already leading 1-0, runners on first and second and two out, Eric Durante hit what looked like a harmless popup. Skyhawks first baseman Tyler Coon moved into position to make a play, but was called off by second baseman Ryan Raagas, who dropped the ball, allowing Parraz and McGovern to score.

That was enough run support for Morris, who induced a steady flow of ground balls, most of which were gobbled up by the Green Valley infielders.

"He's not a power pitcher. He's a spot guy who uses off-speed stuff effectively," Garritano said. "He tries to get guys out on their front foot and gets ground balls for us."

Two of those ground balls helped Morris work out of jams to thwart potentially big Silverado fifth and sixth innings. The first saw Eric Durante spear a sharp grounder, touch third and throw to first to complete a double play, while the second had Parraz fielding with his bare hand and tossing to first, where Kyle Price caught a high throw and held on despite a collision with runner Jared Ferdinand.

"I rely on my defense a lot," Morris said. "As a pitcher, you can't be selfish. You have to use the whole team to your advantage."

With the victory, the Gators move one game ahead of the Skyhawks in the loss column and two full games in front of Basic and Foothill. Garritano said he expects to get Dittler -- out for the past three weeks with a strained muscle in his elbow -- back for the upcoming Sunrise Region Tournament, which begins May 9.