Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Land O’ Lakes boys track and field team repeated as Class 3A-District 6 champs April 16 at Wiregrass Ranch, but the road to consecutive titles was anything put nicely paved.

The Gators’ adversity started a year ago when they lost eight graduates who scored 100 points at districts in 2012.

This season, Land O’ Lakes totaled 125.5 points, besting second-place Wiregrass Ranch by 14.5. Sunlake took seventh (41) at the 11-team event.

Second-year Gators coach Bill Schmitz said no one person made consecutive titles happen.

“People have asked how are we going to replace those points, well it’s been a group effort,” Schmitz said. “It wasn’t about one superstar. I mean John Pace was seeded 24th in the 1,600 (meters) and came in sixth. Shaheed Salmon was seeded 15th in the discus (throw) and came in fifth. … This is just an unbelievable team. They come to compete and win every meet, and that’s why we haven’t lost to anyone in Pasco County in two years.”

One of the biggest holes for Land O’ Lakes was in the hurdles, where Darin Patmon and Kyle McKee scored 27 points at districts last year.

“Jamel Clark, Austin McGuire and Cole McCreery have helped replace those hurdlers,” Schmitz said. “Austin had hurdled before, but we had to get him to join the team because he didn’t run last year, and then Cole and Jamel answered the ad I had in the first meeting when I said we need hurdlers. … Nathan Randall understood the techniques and ran the drills like another coach in practice.”

Clark took runner-up in the 110 hurdles (16.06 seconds).

“I was confident in my ability because of the training of our great coaches,” Clark said. “They helped in the whole process in learning the hurdles.”

The junior had never competed in the hurdles before this season, but said he knew it was where the team needed him.

“We go into every meet knowing that every point is crucial,” Clark said. “We want to compete and get every point we can for our team.”

The Gators totaled 18 points in the two hurdle events.

Land O’ Lakes also lost sprinter/jumper Stefan Zapata to an injured hamstring sustained the week before districts. The junior was projected to score in the long and triple jumps, but he was able to execute only one attempt in the long before scratching out of the meet.

“He was the No. 1 seed in the triple jump and No. 2 seed in the long jump,” Schmitz said. “That’s 18 points right there we gave up.”

Land O’ Lakes suffered another major loss when junior distance runner Travis Nichols was diagnosed with a fractured right foot near the start of the year. Nichols was a state qualifier in the 3,200 last year and hasn’t competed once this track season.

Juniors Tyler Stahl and Jake Poore helped offset losing Nichols.

Stahl was primarily a 3,200 runner in 2012 and Poore focused on the 1,600, but each has doubled up this season.

“Me and Jake have trained with each other a lot,” Stahl said. “It’s really helped to have him to compete against in practice. When Travis went down, Jake really stepped up to fill that hole and push everyone.”

Stahl won district titles in the 1,600 (4:27.25) and 3,200 (10:07.92), while Poore took third (4:35.14) and fourth (10:34.66), respectively.

Stahl was the only member of the squad to win an event at districts, but the Gators will be well represented at regionals with athletes advancing in 13 of the 17 events.

Sophomore Ethan Weilant earned his first regional berth by placing third in the 800 (2:01.32) just a few months after right shoulder surgery that has prevented him from throwing the discus all season. He also qualified with the 4×800 relay (8:33.60, third place).

“When I had the injury I didn’t think this was going to happen; I didn’t even think I’d be able to run track,” Weilant said. “Last week I was working really hard, and that really helped. … The times coming in was really good, so I didn’t know if I could do it, but I ran 2:01 in the 4×800, and that was my best time ever.”

Senior Kyle Forchion took second in the high jump (5-feet, 10-inches), while senior pole vaulter Colin Defant placed third (12).

The Gators also took second in the 4×100 relay (43.95), finishing 0.27 seconds behind Sunlake.

Land O’ Lakes defeated the Seahawks at districts last year, and senior Eddie Burgos, the relay’s anchor, said he wasn’t going to let that happen again.

“Coach made a record board for me against Land O’ Lakes in the 4×100, and I was just 3-3 coming in,” Burgos said. “We had to come out and win it this time and get the championship.”

Burgos also won the 100 (10.92) by besting the defending district champion Jordan Roberts, a Zephyrhills junior, by 0.03 seconds.

“He beat me last year, and I didn’t want that to happen my senior year,” Burgos said. “I beat him at conference, so I knew he was coming for me. Just had to do it.”

The regional meet is April 24 at Leto.

 

//Gators’ trio of district titles

Land O’ Lakes girls track and field athletes claimed three district titles during the 3A-6 meet April 16 at Wiregrass Ranch.

Junior Hallie Grimes captured her third straight district crown in the 400 by running a 57.25, her best time of the season, and did so while battling a sore left hamstring.

“I felt a lot of pressure on me because I’ve won it the last two years,” Grimes said. “I felt comfortable here because this is where districts was my freshman year. I know the track; we’ve run here a lot, so I felt like I could do it.”

The two-time state qualifier also set a new personal record (PR) in the long jump (17-01.75, fifth).

Grimes ran anchor for the 4×400 relay that also won districts in (4:11.14). She started her leg about three strides behind Springstead, but exploded forward to win by more than three seconds.

Gators coach Rock Ridgway is pleased with the relay’s progress and sees more room to grow.

“I actually see about another three seconds out of them,” Ridgeway said. “Next week with competition at regionals, I think they can cut three to five seconds.”

Kassidy Wallace was the first from Land O’ Lakes to win a title, setting a new program record in the triple jump (35-07) and also broke her PR by more than two feet.

“Something has just been happening the last couple weeks,” Wallace said. “Not sure why, but I’ve felt great. … I’ve been getting more confident with the triple jump because it’s kind of awkward when you start. I feel like the steps are more natural now.”

The junior had the added pressure of doing all three of her finals attempts after the other competitors were finished.

“They were waiting on her; she had just come back from the 100 hurdles, and I think the adrenaline was running really big,” Ridgeway said.

Ridgeway said Wallace jumped six to eight inches behind the line on her winning attempt.

“I thought it was a really bad jump,” Wallace said. “I couldn’t believe when they said 35-07.”

The Gators finished third at the event with 67.5 points. Wiregrass Ranch won its fifth straight district title (143), while Belleview took second (118.5).

The regional meet is April 24 at Leto.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wiregrass Ranch girls track and field team maintained its area dominance by claiming its fifth straight district championship at home April 16.

The Bulls totaled 143 points, besting Belleview by 24.5. Land O’ Lakes took third (67.5) at the 11-team meet.

Fourth-year Wiregrass Ranch coach Don Howard thought his team was the favorite entering the meet, but expected the margin to be much closer with the Rattlers.

“We picked up some points in the sprints and actually outperformed what we thought we’d score in the field events, so we had a little more of a cushion going into the finals,” Howard said. “(Sprinter) Alyssa Woodard scored in two events after being ranked out of the top eight in both of them. Joie Feathersten scored in both hurdles after being out of the top eight. That’s where those cushion points were. Those kids stepped up and got those points that we weren’t expecting.”

The Bulls entered the finals leading Belleview 50 to 46.5.

The Rattlers scored 28 in the 100-meter hurdles to Wiregrass Ranch’s five, but the seventh-year program chipped away throughout the finals and regained the lead 93 to 90.5 after sophomore Kayla Thornton’s fifth-place finish in the 400 (1 minute, 4.41 seconds).

The Bulls stretched their lead in the 300 hurdles, the meet’s next event, thanks to first-, fourth- and sixth-place finishes from Blake Cornwell (49.24), Marissa Ginn-Davis (50.65) and Feathersten (52.85), respectively. The trio scored 18 points, while Belleview mustered nine.

“We felt some pressure coming in,” said senior distance runner Nikita Shah. “Coach told us that we all had to go out there and race our hardest. I’m very proud of my team. They really showed up.”

Shah captured a pair of individual district titles in the 1,600 (5:05.31) and 3,200 (10:59.82). The University of Harvard signee reached states in both events last season and placed third in the 3,200.

“I’m feeling good about my (1,600) and (3,200),” Shah said. “I’m definitely going to do both at regionals, and then I’ll see what happens at states.”

Shah started the day by running the anchor leg of 4×800 relay (9:40.99), which not only captured a district title, but also broke the program record. The time was also nine seconds better than the groups’ personal record (PR) set just a week earlier.

“It was just amazing to drop 25 seconds in the last two weeks in the 4×800,” Shah said. “We’ve looked at virtual meets, and we can be up there at states. When we started we didn’t know if we’d even match up at regionals, so it’s a big confidence boost.”

Junior Elise Cedre moved the Bulls from second to first as the relay’s third runner.

“I heard people yelling out that she was going to catch me, and every time I heard that I just thought no,” Cedre said. “I knew I needed to give Nikita the space to go on her leg. … When Nikita has the lead I didn’t think they could catch her. That’s not going to happen.”

Howard said he was even surprised to see the relay cut another nine seconds in a week.

“I don’t want to overstate it, but I think they can run under 9:30 now,” Howard said. “I really think they have that in them.”

Freshman Maddie Conway, who ran the second leg of the relay, earned a regional berth by placing fourth in the 1,600 (5:33.82).

“I didn’t think this was going to happen,” Conway said. “I came in seeded fifth, and I knew I had some really tough girls I was racing against. I just tried my best, and got a spot in regionals.”

Senior pole vaulter Alisha Henry earned her first district championship by clearing 9-feet, 6-inches, while sophomore Casey Chitty took second (9).

The Bulls girls long jump record was broken twice at the meet, first by freshman Gelisa Jenkins with a 18-00.75 and then about two minutes later by senior Hannah Eder with an 18-03.75. The duo finished second and third in the event. Eder also took third in the triple jump (35-03).

Jenkins scored in three other events and advanced to regionals in the 100 (12.87, fourth place) and with the 4×100 relay (51.65, second) to go along with her berth in the long jump.

The Wiregrass Ranch boys scored 111 points to finish as district runner-up for the second straight year to Land O’ Lakes (125.5).

The Bulls lone district title was claimed by senior discus thrower Elijah Boston (146-09).

“That wasn’t really what I was looking for,” Boston said. “I want to get to states, but my real goal is to break the school record (149).”

It is Boston’s second straight regional berth.

“Last year I was scared and nervous at districts and regionals because it was my first time,” Boston said. “This year I’m calmed down. … I feel good about my form and everything. Been trying to stand tall. Sometimes I slump over too much, but I’ve been staying tall, and that’s helped.”

Boston’s teammate John Coyne, a senior, also advanced by finishing third (137-08.5) in the discus.

“We really wanted to finish up there and get some points for our team,” Boston said.

Junior Devin Duckette took second in the 300 hurdles (41.96), as did the 4×800 relay (8:20.15).

The distance program scored big for Wiregrass Ranch.

Senior Ermias Bireda was the district runner-up in the 1,600 (4:31.65) and 800 (2:00.97). Seniors Thor Alastre (10:16.64, second) and Patrick Hill (10:23.00, third) also advanced in the 3,200.

Wiregrass Ranch sophomore Jaye Miner earned a regional berth in high jump (5-08, fourth) in just his second time competing in the event.

The regional meet is April 24 at Leto.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Three years, three district championships.

The Steinbrenner girls track and field team has made claiming league crowns look easy, as the fourth-year program hoisted the Class 3A-District 8 championship April 17 at Gaither.

The Warriors scored 161 points, besting Hillsborough by 17. King was third (98.5) and Gaither took fourth (64) at the nine-team meet.

Steinbrenner captured only one district title at the meet but scored in 16 of the 17 events.

The Warriors also qualified athletes in 11 events for regionals April 24 at Leto.

“My philosophy has always been the same: cover all the events, score in every single event and treat every event as important as the next,” said Ladd Baldwin, the only coach in program history. “We’re not a hurdle factory or a triple jump factory or a sprint factory. You try to be good in every event.”

Junior pole vaulter Jazmin Sabotker claimed district gold by clearing 9-feet to match the program and her own personal record (PR).

“I was a little nervous because I was seeded first, and that scares me a little bit,” said Sabotker, a first-year pole vaulter.

Fellow Warriors junior Loren Scherschel also cleared 9, but lost in a tiebreaker.

“She’s actually the one who taught me about pole vaulting, so it’s cool to finish first and second with her,” Sabotker said.

Scherschel PRed twice at the event.

“I was actually kind of skeptical coming in because I didn’t do so well in our last meet,” Scherschel said. “I only got 7-feet, so I didn’t have high hopes.”

Senior Jess Weatherman took second in the discus throw (105-08) with her best performance this season.

“I was really nervous and anxious,” Weatherman said. “My hands were all clammy. I just didn’t want this to make my last meet.”

Weatherman said she was angry after the shot put where she came in fifth (33-10.5), one spot from a regional berth.

“I had my chance to show what I could do in the shot, and I didn’t, so I had to come back in the disc,” Weatherman said. “It was my last chance to make it back to regionals.”

Steinbrenner scored 19 points in the long jump led by senior Jessica Brewer’s runner-up performance (16-09). Freshman Taylor Hotchkiss took third (16-06) and junior Nicole Dorsey was fourth (16-04).

“We all feed off each other’s energy, and it was really nice for all of us to make regionals,” Brewer said. “When we’re all doing well we really push each other to do our best.”

Hotchkiss PRed in both the long and triple (33-08.50, sixth place) jumps. She was the only Warriors athlete to score in four events and also advance to regionals in three, including the 100-meter hurdles (17.06 seconds, second) and 300 hurdles (50.16, third).

“I didn’t think I’d make regions in any event because it’s my first year,” Hotchkiss said. “Didn’t really expect a lot.”

Baldwin said Hotchkiss has impressed as a freshman.

“She’s been in practice and worked hard every day,” Baldwin said. “She’s also very coachable. I’ve thrown a bunch of different events at her, and she’s tried whatever we asked.”

Steinbrenner led 78 to 59 over Hillsborough after the six field events and the 4×800 relay and never trailed for the rest of the meet.

Senior distance runner Lauren Garris clinched the team title by finishing third in the 3,200 (13:00.02) to put her squad ahead of Hillsborough 160 to 137 with only the 4×400 remaining. She said she didn’t know she could lock up the championship until after the event.

“Coach said he needed me to score for the team, but I didn’t know it was that serious,” said Garris, who also took second in the 1,600 (5:36.16).

“Lauren had her best time of the year in the 1,600, the 3,200 and her time in the 4×800 was her best time this year too,” Baldwin said. “She had her three best races of the year on the day that we needed her to be able to beat Hillsborough.”

Gaither senior hurdler Jennifer Kingsley captured program history in claiming the 100 hurdles. She ran a 15.40 to set a new school record and was overcome with emotion when she heard her time while standing on the podium.

“I really didn’t think I had that in me,” Kingsley said. “I started off with a good race, really steady, but then I hit a hurdle near the end and thought it wouldn’t be a PR.”

Kingsley also placed second in the 300 hurdles in 47.47, a PR, just 0.03 seconds behind Hillsborough’s Tijah Ray.

“I’m just keeping my mind on states,” Kingsley said. “Before this year I didn’t really have the drive to work. This year I really want it.”

Cowboys 800-meter runner Rachel Cazares won her second district title in three years by running a 2:18.26 to win by 2.63 seconds.

“I was a little nervous,” Cazares said. “Rachel Favors from King really made it too close for comfort.”

The junior had a simple plan going into the event.

“I just was not going to slow down the whole way,” Cazares said. “I know if I keep up the pace that I want to run then I’m going to be OK.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

The Freedom track and field team showed it has emerged as a power in Hillsborough County April 17, cruising to the Class 4A-District 6 title at Leto.

 

The Patriots claimed the first district crown in the program’s 11-year history by scoring 166 points, besting second-place Plant by 22.

 

Freedom seniors Sandra Akuchukwu and Faith Woodard brought in 66 points in their seven individual events, which would have been good enough fifth place as a team.

 

Akuchukwu claimed district championships in the long jump (19-feet, 3-inches), 100 meters (12.27 seconds) and 200 (25.35). The Western Kentucky University signee also took second in the high jump (5-8), finishing behind Woodard who broke her own school record by clearing 5-10.

 

Woodard, a Georgetown University signee for basketball, also won the 400 (58.40) and finished runner-up in the 200 (26.31) to Akuchukwu.

 

“I just hope to complement her first (in the 200),” said the 6-foot-2 Woodard. “In the 400, most people have much shorter strides, so especially at the end I try to focus and pick up my strides. It gets me through it.”

 

The Patriots got a lift when senior Alex Mitchell won the 800 in 2:23.76.

 

“All year she’s been worried about her time,” said Freedom coach Dwight Smith. “I told her be patient, and now her times are dropping.”

 

Junior Anell Smith qualified in the long jump (16-4, third place) and 300 hurdles (47.49, fourth) while leading off the 4×400 relay that took second (4:07.33). Sophomores Destanie Bush and Biance Igwe finished as district runners-up in discus throw (93-4) and shot put (34), respectively. Freshman Nari Garner qualified with a high jump (5, fourth).

 

The Freedom boys finished fourth with 101 points thanks in large part to winning the 4×400 relay (3:28.80) while sophomore Elga Davis (51.18) and junior Rashod Monts (51.98) took second and third in the 400.

 

Senior Derik Harvey (2:07.23) won the 800 and took second in the 1,600 (4:36.53).

 

The regional meet is April 24 at Leto.

 

 

//Wharton Girls grab third

 

The Wharton girls track and field team scored 123 points to place third at the Class 4A-District 6 meet at Leto April 17, 43.5 off the championship pace of Freedom and 11 behind Plant.

 

The Wildcats success had much to do with senior hurdlers Mikayla Barber and Tyler Watson, who finished first and second, respectively, in both the 100 and 300.

 

Barber finished in 15.05 in the 100 and in 43.70 in the 300, which is her best time in the event for the season.

 

“I didn’t hit 43 until my prelims at state last year,” Barber said. “I’m pretty excited with where I’m at right now.”

 

Watson also took district runner-up honors in the triple jump (35-02).

 

Senior pole vaulter Brittany Smith cleared 10 feet and won a tiebreaker based on the number of attempts at the height to claim her third straight district championship.

 

Wharton also picked up a title in the 4×400 relay (4:02.28).

 

The Wildcats boys took sixth at the meet with 68 points, 77.5 behind first-place Plant.

 

Wharton’s lone district title was won by senior Chris Myers with a shot put of 44-10. Junior Aerion Caldwell got second in discus throw (126-04).

 

Senior Jaken Grier, in his first year competing in track, finished as the runner-up in the 800 (2:04.36).

 

The regional meet is April 24 at Leto.

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Blake Cornwell is a hurdler through and through.

The Wiregrass Ranch senior competes in hurdle events with the Bulls girls track and field team, spending countless hours each week perfecting her form to not only win, but also to not trip and fall flat on her face while leaping over the obstacles in her path.

The irony is Blake has done exactly the same thing just to be a part of the squad during her four years at the Wesley Chapel school.

Blake started running track in seventh grade while living in North Carolina. She was given the coach’s award following that season and said she loved the sport from the moment she started.

Her family moved to the area during March of Blake’s eighth-grade year. Her mother Kim said the change in address put her daughter in a “dark place.”

“She went from a happy, easy-going, great student, to a moody, depressed, miserable child,” Kim said.

To further complicate matters, the move came about a week after tryouts for the team at John Long Middle, which prevented her from competing that season.

Blake was also unable to run track as a freshman at Wiregrass Ranch. Coach Don Howard, who also leads the Bulls cross country team, said he mistakenly cut her from the squad.

“I cut the wrong redhead her first year,” Howard said.

Howard and Blake both laugh about the mistake now, but it wasn’t even close to the end of the trials she would go through just to compete for the Bulls.

Blake tried out for the cross country team as a sophomore with the thought that the conditioning would help her develop as a runner. It did, but she came down with mono just before the track season, which, again, kept her from competing.

She finally got the chance to show her ability as a junior when she made the squad, but life wasn’t done sending her obstacles to overcome.

Blake was just getting used to running the 300-meter hurdles a few weeks into the season when she fell and broke her elbow during practice. The injury kept her out for several weeks.

She returned just in time to compete at districts, where Blake took fifth, which is one spot away from earning a regional berth.

Howard said through everything, Blake never gave up.

“She’s a girl who never misses practice, and all the work that she’s put in is starting to pay off,” Howard said. “She really wants it. She’s a testament to someone who puts hard work in and benefits from her.”

Her persistence, determination and fight finally paid off April 16 when Blake captured the 300 hurdles title at the Class 3A-District 6 meet by finishing in 49.24 seconds, a new personal record (PR). The championship also comes with her first regional berth in an individual event.

“My entire purpose coming into today was I didn’t want to be done hurdling,” Blake said. “It’s my last year, and I wanted to keep hurdling. … At the start when I went to the line I just had to get in the right zone. I felt like my form was bad, but on that last straightaway I just kept telling myself I’m going to get first today. On that last straightaway I made sure no one was passing me.”

Blake’s new PR is 1.22 seconds from the program record owned by Melanie Dean. Howard said her goal for regionals is to break that mark.

“Blake really has a chance to get to states,” Howard said. “She can take some time off her 300 hurdles. She had two or three bad stutter steps between hurdles today. She runs really fast between them. We’re working to get her over them without slowing down because she can definitely run 48 or under.”

Blake will have to finish in the top four at regionals April 24 at Leto to earn a berth in the state meet May 3 at the University of North Florida.

“I know it’s going to be one of the scariest races I’ve ever run,” Blake said. “There’s going to be fast girls. I don’t care if I get last place because it’s a huge step getting to regionals. I’m going to give it my all.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

 

 

By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Sydney Boynton and Lauren Evans led the way as Academy at the Lakes softball team beat Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian 9-2 April 18 to repeat as the Class 2A-District 4 champions.

“I’ve been there before, but it still has the same thrill,” said second-year Wildcats coach Jerry English, who coached at Land O’ Lakes for 27 years. “The second (district title) is always harder. We kind of sneaked up on people last year.”

The win advances the Wildcats (9-5) to the regional semifinals April 30, where they will host the winner of the quarterfinals contest between Seven Rivers (11-9) and Deltona Trinity Christian at 4 p.m.

Sydney (9-5) dominated from the pitcher’s circle. The senior allowed just one hit, two unearned runs, struck out six and walked two.

“The change-up is my best pitch,” Sydney said. “I like it because it keeps the batters off-balance. Everything is on when it’s on.

“I’m very proud of my team,” she added. “It’s exciting. I hope we can go as far as possible.”

English said Sydney is one of the best pitchers he’s coached.

“She has one of the best change-ups, and it’s the hardest pitch to hit in fast-pitch softball,” English said. “She will throw it on 3-2 and 3-0 (counts). She has a lot of confidence.”

Milena Kacer had an infield single leading off the seventh inning for Seven Rivers’ only hit.

English said he was not aware Sydney was pitching a no-hitter.

“I didn’t know she had a no-hitter going,” English said. “I’d take a 20-hitter if we win the game.”

Evans provided all the offense the Wildcats needed in a five-run first inning. The junior shortstop socked a two-run triple off Tessa Kacer that gave Academy a lead it never lost. She also hit a sacrifice fly, walked twice and scored two runs.

“I just knew I wouldn’t get many pitches to hit after they pitched to me in the first inning,” said Evans, a University of South Florida commit. “I expected us to win, and this definitely feels good. I’m pretty confident and have high hopes of going to state.”

Evans has a team-high .611 batting average and 22 RBI.

“I’ve told people I’d like to see the shortstop who could take her place,” English said. “She knows softball and has the intelligence and skills of an old veteran. … She is spectacular. Her nickname would be ‘Slick’ if she had one. She will do well in college.”

Skyler Boynton, Makenzie Holler and Maria Aumaitre each had base hits for the Wildcats. Skyler and Sydney each scored two runs while Catherine Smith, Janice Cassenello and Aumaitre each crossed home once.

“We have a pretty set lineup,” English said. “We adapt very well and put kids where they feel confident.”

 

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

and Jeff Odom

 

The Freedom softball team will play in the postseason for the first time in the program’s 11-year history April 24 at Countryside at 4 p.m. after finishing as the Class 7A-District 9 runner-up.

The No. 2 seed Patriots (18-3) also enter the playoffs with the most wins in program history, but came up just short of their first district title, falling 4-2 to top-seeded Chamberlain (20-8) in the 7A-9 final April 18.

“Definitely a tough loss,” said Freedom coach Autum Hernandez. “Chamberlain is a great team. They have a great coach (Bob Diez) and a great pitcher (Rachel Dwyer). If we come out flat they’re going to take advantage, and that’s what happened to us tonight.”

The Chiefs, who also won the district last year, scored in the first inning with a single, infield error and Jenna Brownell’s sacrifice fly. The defending 7A state champs added a run in the fourth and two in the fifth to go ahead 4-0.

Freedom put up a pair of runs in the sixth, but did so without getting a hit thanks to two infield errors, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and two sacrifice bunts. The Patriots, who entered the contest averaging 8.4 runs, had only one hit, a single by junior left fielder Ashley Wilson in the third.

“It seems like we’re just struggling as a team,” Hernandez said. “We’re not adjusting to what the pitcher is throwing. We’re letting the first strike go by, and it’s the best pitch we see the whole at bat, so we’re not making good decisions there. That’s something we’ll definitely talk about.”

Hernandez said she is proud of her squad even though they were unable to win districts.

“They all work hard every day, and they definitely deserve to be in the playoffs,” Hernandez said. “They worked hard and competed all season. We talked all year about doing something for the first time, so we’re proud in that aspect. We’re not happy with tonight, but we’re proud that we’re moving on.”

Freedom avoided an upset against No. 3 Steinbrenner in the semifinals, prevailing 2-1 April 17 to clinch a playoff berth.

The win gave the Patriots some matter of payback over the Warriors (16-14), who beat Freedom in last season’s district semifinals.

“It’s hard to beat a good team three times, and we knew coming in that it was going to be close,” Hernandez said. “I’m just proud because it was a good team win, and we played really good defense.”

Steinbrenner opened the scoring with a run in the fifth inning, which was the first the Warriors had scored against Freedom all season.

Alia Serafini reached on a walk by Patriots pitcher Grace Street to open the frame and moved to second on Kellee Ramsey’s sacrifice bunt. Paige Cimino singled to left field to give the Warriors the 1-0 lead.

The Patriots capitalized on back-to-back Warriors’ fielding errors in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 lead.

Wilson got aboard via an infield single with one out and moved to second base on an errant throw to first by Warriors shortstop Erica Serafini. Wilson stole third and came around to tie the score after Rachel Carlson reached on an error.

Freshman catcher Maddy Hall followed with an RBI single to center field to plate Carlson and give her squad the lead for good.

Freedom’s pitching finished the job.

Street, who struck out two and walked two in five innings, was relieved by senior Kaitlin Hall in the top of the sixth, who gave up just one hit and struck out three to slam the door.

“I’m on Cloud 9 right now; it’s awesome,” Kaitlin said. “It feels great to be a part of a softball team like this, and I don’t feel like we’re a team, but a family, when we play out here.”

Street echoed her teammate, adding that the win proved how good the team is.

“I think it showed our ability to fight back even when we’re in a down place,” Street said. “We all came together and started hitting the ball, and they picked me up whenever I was down.”

 

 

By Don Trello

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Carrollwood Day School (CDS) junior Amanda Rose pitched the first shutout of her high school career April 16 in the Class 3A-District 8 softball semifinals to lead her squad over Tampa Prep 9-0 and earn the program’s first playoff berth.

“Amanda was absolutely perfect today,” said Patriots first-year coach Chuck Fest. “She hit her spots. The whole team stepped it up a notch.”

CDS, which finished the regular season 8-0 in 3A-8 play, went on to beat event host Seffner Christian 2-1 April 18 for the district championship.

“Going undefeated in the district is obviously a big accomplishment,” Chuck said. “This is only the third year for the program.”

The Patriots (11-5) have only one senior on the 11-player roster, including two eighth-graders. Chuck said the pressure of going for their first playoff berth has not affected the young squad.

“We talk about it all the time,” Chuck replied. “We go out there as if it’s 0-0 every inning. We play every inning like it’s our last.”

Rose allowed two hits, struck out 10, walked one and retired 15 of the first 17 batters she faced.

“There was more motivation today because it was a district game,” said Rose (9-3). “I throw a screwball, change-up and split finger, but mostly fastballs. It was one of my better games. … My defense was great. We were all pretty pumped up. We just played our A game.”

CDS took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, which included base hits from Emma Frost, Savannah Bennett and Rose.

The Patriots added a run in the third, two more in the fourth and scored four times in the sixth.

“We are not a speed team; we are more of a power-hitting team,” Chuck said. “We have a lot of extra-base hits. We are an aggressive base-running team. … We have good hitters up and down the lineup. They feed off each other. They are all competitors.”

Samantha Fest, Frost and Bennett each had two hits. Samantha added three runs, while Frost crossed home plate twice.

Rose attended CDS growing up, but transferred to Steinbrenner her freshman year. She returned to the Patriots last season.

“I didn’t play softball at Steinbrenner,” Rose said. “I didn’t make the team my freshman year, and I didn’t tryout the next year. I wanted to focus on my studies.”

Rose indicated she felt right at home since returning to CDS.

“I played with most of my teammates in middle school,” Rose said. “I’m just really proud. We have improved so much since the beginning of the year.”

The Patriots host Lakeland Christian April 24 at 4 p.m. at Fest Field, 19548 Crescent Road in Odessa.

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

The Wharton softball team is heading back to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

The sixth-seeded Wildcats (12-8) won their first two games in the Class 8A-District 7 tournament with upsets over No. 4 Plant 6-4 in 12 innings in the quarterfinals and over No. 2 Bloomingdale 3-2 in the semifinals before falling 5-0 to the top seed and event host Durant in the tournament finals April 19.

It is the first time Wharton has made the playoffs since 2006 when it was also a district runner-up.

“The girls really came together and made it happen for their team and their school,” said Wildcats coach Ashlee Cappucci. “(They) worked together as a family and we respect Durant, and they’re always a tough opponent. Hopefully, we’ll see them again later on.”

The Cougars (19-8) raced out to a quick 4-0 lead in the finals, thanks to a three-run third inning started by Shannon Bell’s solo home run. Heavy rain moved over the field, forcing umpires to suspend the game and resume it the following afternoon.

When play continued, Durant had a runner on third base with two outs. Wildcats pitcher Makeleigh Dooley quickly retired the side and kept the run from coming across to score.

“She’s an amazing pitcher, works hard and is very passionate,” Cappucci said. “Our defense had backed her up, but they still had some shots. (Durant’s) a great hitting team.”

The Cougars added another run in the bottom of the fourth as Payton Lewis doubled home Bell to make it 5-0.

Wharton had its own chance to put runs on the board by getting runners to first and second base in the fifth and to third base in the sixth, but Durant pitcher Paige Davis thwarted any hope of a comeback.

“It’s exciting, but also disappointing, because we were expecting so much from our team,” said Wharton centerfielder Kassidy Kujawa. “It just didn’t happen, and the pieces didn’t fall into place.”

The Wildcats travel to Palm Harbor University April 25 for the regional quarterfinals at 4 p.m.

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Steinbrenner boys soccer player Enrique Barboto said April 16 that he has committed to play at Division II Barry University in Miami Shores.

The central midfielder was a first-team The Laker/Lutz News and Western Conference selection as a senior and was a pivotal part of the Warriors’ run to the Class 4A state title game this season.

“This is huge; it’s what I’ve been working towards my whole life,” Barboto said. “Just to get to the next level of soccer and to grow as a player and learn more about the game as a college athlete.”

Barboto, who scored 15 goals and had nine assists this season, said Barry was the only place he wanted to be after seeing what the school’s program had to offer and because of the close-knit nature of the players.

“I’m hoping to be a part of the great years to come,” Barboto said.

Barboto said he cherishes the many memories he has of his time at Steinbrenner, but is eager to get to the next level, because he will get to play against his brother, Daniel, when Barry plays University of Tampa (UT) as rivals in the Sunshine State Conference.

“The excitement is unexplainable because I will be playing at a great school, and I will be playing against my brother twice a year,” Barboto said. “We will be marking each other as we play UT home and away, and not many people can say that they get to battle against their brother for the championship.”

Barry was 5-10-1 overall last season. The Buccaneers have made nine NCAA tournament appearances in program history.