Shannon Saile

2021 offered special moments in local sports (Part One)

December 28, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

This past year levied countless memories in the local sports scene — from shattered records and career achievements for individuals and teams, to several major events and showcases in the area.

Here is a look back at some of the moments in sports in 2021, from across Pasco and Hillsborough counties, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

(This is Part One of a two-part series.)

Land O’ Lakes Little League celebrates 50th anniversary
The start of each Little League season often elicits a heightened level of nostalgia.

Alissa Canter, vice president Land O’ Lakes Little League, holds the 50th Anniversary charter with director, Gary Gwinn. (File)

With spring in the air, youth of all ages and skills partake in America’s favorite pastime, testing their mettle on the mound, at the plate and in the field.

For Land O’ Lakes Little League, this year’s Opening Day festivities took on added significance: The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary on Feb. 27, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, off Collier Parkway.

The organization actually formed back in 1967 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center (now Heritage Park) off U.S. 41, but it didn’t receive its first Little League charter until 1971.

The local league has come a long way since its initial startup — boasting upwards of 800 boys and girls, ages 4 to 16, playing baseball and softball across 10 fields.

The large ballfield took center stage in the league’s season-opening event.

Teams from all age divisions were spread across the infield and outfield, signaling the league’s staying power and sustained growth.

First pitches were accurately thrown from veteran baseball players, as well softball Little League players.

Local players sang the national anthem and read the league pledge.

There was the unveiling, too, of a framed 50th anniversary “golden ticket” issued and signed by the Little League International Headquarters, which is based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The beauty of the organization is it’s a recreational format.

It welcomes the novice player that may never make an all-star team or play high school ball, to others who have the potential to earn college scholarships and maybe play professionally someday.

“I think every kid should play Little League,” Land O’ Lakes Little League President Gary Gwinn told The Laker/Lutz News.

NBA hopefuls showcase hoops skills in Wesley Chapel
Pasco County and the greater Tampa Bay region isn’t really known for its basketball prowess, but that reputation, or lack thereof, may soon change.

Pursuing dreams of playing professional basketball, a large group of athletes dropped by Wesley Chapel, of all places.

Six-foot-11-inch Nate Reuvers, from the University of Wisconsin, takes a few practice shots prior to the start of the 3-point and slam dunk competitions held during the Tampa Bay Pro Combine. Some 50 players from throughout the country converged in Wesley Chapel for the basketball event. (File)

In early June, some 50 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft-eligible hopefuls descended upon the area to showcase their athleticism and hoops skills in the inaugural Tampa Bay Pro Combine (TBPC), at the AdventHealth Sports Arena at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County.

The elite-level hoopers — many from recognizable high and mid-major NCAA Division I programs — dribbled, dunked, jumped, shot and passed their way into the eyes and impressions of various NBA and international coaches and scouts.

Several names may be familiar from deep runs in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tournament, such as University of Southern California guard Tahj Eaddy, University of Houston forward Justin Gorham, and University of Loyola-Chicago center Cameron Krutwig, among others.

The three-day event featured drills, games (5-on-5, 2-on-2 and 3-on-3), athletic testing and measurements, as well as a 3-point shootout, dunk contest and more.

The player selection committee was led by ESPN television analyst Fran Fraschilla and BasketballNews.com NBA Draft analyst Matt Babcock, who were there to evaluate players during the weekend.

The competition came together in a matter of about six weeks, seeking to replicate the Virginia-based Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a long-running hoops combine event canceled a second-straight year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quade Green was the leading scorer at the University of Washington this past season, at 15.4 points per game.

Like others, it was his first time stepping into the Wiregrass Sports Campus.

He came away impressed with the state-of-the-art digs.

“This is a beautiful gym,” Green said, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News. “Lot of great players here, great people around you, too. They’ve got connections. Life connections, too, for the long run.”

Zephyrhills runner competes in U.S. Olympic trials
Evan Miller’s sprint for a spot on Team USA for the Tokyo Summer Olympics may have come up short — but it was still an experience most athletes can only ever dream about.

The Zephyrhills athlete on June 25 competed in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials at the legendary Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Miller — then a rising senior at University of South Carolina — clocked 21.04 seconds in the first-round heat of the men’s 200-meter dash, finishing 23rd overall.

He competed in the same heat against other widely known professional sprinters, including Terrance Laird and Jaron Flourney, among others.

The competition was televised live nationally on NBC Sports Network.

Miller’s trials mark was a shade off his personal best of 20.50 seconds — which he recorded at the Weems Baskin Relays hosted on-campus at South Carolina in late March; he wound up earning second-team NCAA All-American honors during the season, too.

Miller was one of about 30 sprinters nationwide who either qualified or accepted an invitation, and declared for the men’s 200-meter trials event.

From there, the top three men’s 200-meter finishers at trials earned spots on the U.S. Olympic team — Noah Lyles (first, 19.74 seconds), Kenny Bednarek (second, 19.78) and Erriyon Knighton (third, 19.84).

While disappointed with his own trials output overall, Miller relished the opportunity so very few earn — let alone coming off a 2020 track season hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All around, it was a really good experience,” Miller told The Laker/Lutz Newspaper. “It was kind of surreal that I was there with the top athletes in the country. It was just a really good feeling. I was kind of trying to take it all in, but I also couldn’t like believe it at the same time.”

Before college, Miller had made a name for himself as a sprinter at Zephyrhills Christian Academy.

His senior year, he won the Class 1A individual crown 100-meter dash (10.75) at the 2018 FHSAA State Track & Field Championships. He also was a leg of the school’s 4×100 relay team that won back-to-back state crowns in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Locals athletes taken in 2021 MLB Draft
It’s not uncommon for at least a few ballplayers from area high schools and colleges to be taken in the Major League Baseball (MLB) first-year player draft.

The year 2012 was no different, as five local athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were taken in the nationally televised draft, which spanned 20 rounds (and 612) picks from July 11 through July 13:

Sunlake High/University of Florida pitcher Tommy Mace (Cleveland Indians/Guardians, Comp B, 69th overall)
Wharton High shortstop Zach Ehrhard (Boston Red Sox, 13th round, 376th overall)
Gaither High shortstop A.J. Graham (Pittsburgh Pirates, 18th round, 523rd overall)
Saint Leo University left-handed pitcher Jimmy Burnette (Toronto Blue Jays, 18th round, 543rd overall)
Gaither High/University of Texas third baseman Cam Williams (Kansas City Royals, 19th round, 559th overall)

Sunlake High/University of Florida product Tommy Mace was selected 69th overall by the Cleveland Indians (now named Guardians) in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft. (File)

Every player, except for Ehrhard opted to sign with their drafted team, for various dollar figures.

Mace — the highest selection from the local community — inked with the Indians (now Guardians) for a $1.1 million signing bonus; Graham signed with the Pirates for $125,000; Burnette signed with Blue Jays for $50,000; and, Williams signed with the Royals for $25,000.

Ehrhard, meanwhile, will play collegiate baseball at NCAA Division I Oklahoma State University, majoring in applied exercise science with a focus on strength and conditioning. He was this year’s recipient of the 2021 Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award, which honors a high school baseball player in Hillsborough County on the basis of outstanding athletic, scholastic and community achievements.

(While slightly outside our coverage area in west Pasco County, Fivay High/University of Mississippi product Gunnar Hoglund went in the first round (19th overall) to the Blue Jays. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander from Hudson ultimately signed with the team for just under $3.25 million.)

National champion returns home to teach aspiring players
Land O’ Lakes native Shannon Saile was a part of history — guiding the University of Oklahoma women’s softball team to the 2021 NCAA Division I national title, serving as one of its top senior pitchers.

With her decorated athletic career in tow, Saile’s next major task was organizing a series of fastpitch softball clinics to train the next generation of youth standouts.

Shannon Saile, left, a national champion softball pitcher for the Oklahoma Sooners, explains the fundamentals of the fast pitch to 11-year-old Laila McClelland, center, of Odessa. (File)

To do that, the 23-year-old returned to her central Pasco hometown and set foot on the same park ballfields that forged a pathway for myriad athletic accomplishments.

The upstart Shannon Saile Pitching Clinic was held on July 25 at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, home to Land O’ Lakes Little League.

About 30 girls — ages 8 to 15 — took part on a steamy Sunday, eager to take in guidance from Saile and other widely known pitching instructors and volunteers.

With Saile’s tutelage, young campers sharpened their fastballs and secondary offerings like changeups, through arm path mechanics and leg drive techniques, as well as various speed, agility and balance drills.

“I just hope that I can teach them the foundation of pitching, because it’s much more important than just getting out there and throwing pitches,” Saile explained to The Laker/Lutz News. “The drills are super important, because they help me grow my strength and my confidence in my pitches.”

Besides learning newfound softball techniques, campers also had an opportunity to get signed autographs and take pictures with Saile, who’s become a household name in the sports world. She was invited to ESPN’s nationally televised 2021 ESPY Awards, for being part of one of the best moments from the year in sports.

Saile goes down as one of the most accomplished — if not most accomplished — fastpitch softball players to ever come out of Land O’ Lakes High School and the greater Tampa Bay area.

As a Gator, she amassed 517 strikeouts and a career 1.76 ERA in four varsity seasons from 2013 to 2016, also compiling a combined 41 wins, 31 complete games, 11 shutouts and five no-hitters.

The advancement to the college ranks likewise went swimmingly for the 5-foot-7 right-hander.

Saile began her Division I softball career at Florida International University, finding immediate success with a pair of sub-2.00 ERA seasons in the circle, before transferring to Oklahoma.

As a redshirt senior this past season, Saile posted an impressive 1.70 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while being second on the team in wins (17), innings pitched (100.1), complete games (six), and strikeouts (132).

Published December 29, 2021

National champion returns home to teach aspiring players

August 3, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

Mere weeks ago, Land O’ Lakes native Shannon Saile was busy celebrating an NCAA Division I national championship — as one of the top pitchers on the University of Oklahoma women’s softball team.

Her decorated softball career now has quite literally come full circle.

The 23-year-old returned to her tight-knit central Pasco County hometown, again setting foot on the same park ballfields that forged a pathway for myriad athletic accomplishments.

Her goal is to organize a series of fastpitch softball clinics to train the next generation of youth standouts.

The upstart Shannon Saile Pitching Clinic was held July 25 at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, home to Land O’ Lakes Little League.

About 30 girls — ages 8 to 15 — took part on a steamy Sunday, eager to take in guidance from Saile and other well-known pitching instructors and volunteers.

Saile hopes to host similar clinics across the country — the next likely somewhere in Oklahoma — all in the name of growing the game that’s afforded her success and opportunity.

“It’s something I’m passionate about,” Saile told The Laker/Lutz News.

Naturally, it only made sense for Saile to launch her softball instruction venture back where it all began — a ballfield in Land O’ Lakes.

“I just thought it was like really important to me to start it in Land O’ Lakes, because that’s where I grew up,” she said of her softball clinic venture. “I really want to grow it across the country, and always come back to Land O’ Lakes.”

“I just hope that I can teach them the foundation of pitching, because it’s much more important than just getting out there and throwing pitches,” Saile explained. “The drills are super important, because they help me grow my strength and my confidence in my pitches.”

With her eyes on the ‘strike zone,’ 15-year-old Daijah Madry, of Tampa, prepares to pitch during the Shannon Saile Pitching Clinic at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway. Saile, host of the clinic, was among the national championship team at the University of Oklahoma.

Besides newfound softball skills, campers also had an opportunity to get signed autographs and take pictures with Saile, who’s become a household name in the sports world. She was invited to ESPN’s 2021 ESPY Awards for being part of one of the best moments from the year in sports. The annual sports awards event was televised last month on ABC.

Saile is arguably one of the most accomplished — if not most accomplished — fastpitch softball players to ever come out of Land O’ Lakes High School and the greater Tampa Bay area.

As a Gator, she amassed 517 strikeouts and a career 1.76 ERA in four varsity seasons from 2013 to 2016, also compiling a combined 41 wins, 31 complete games, 11 shutouts and five no-hitters.

The advancement to the college ranks likewise went swimmingly for the 5-foot-7 right-hander.

Saile began her Division I softball career at Florida International University, finding immediate success with a pair of sub 2 ERA seasons in the circle.

Saile then transferred to blue-chip Oklahoma following her sophomore season.

Oklahoma is a perennial powerhouse that’s won five national softball titles since 2000 —including the 2021 Women’s College World Series over Florida State University in June — under longtime head coach Patty Gasso.

The local athlete enjoyed similar statistical feats in the iconic cream-and-crimson Sooners uniform.

Local resident Shayna Rentfro lines up a picture of her daughter, Jayda Lisant, 8, through the fence, during the recent Shannon Saile Pitching Clinic at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway.

Upon returning to the area recreation complex, Saile acknowledged “flashbacks” of the many years, and countless hours and days, spent in travel ball and Land O’ Lakes Little League practices and games.

She put it like this: “Remembering where I started…it just wants me to remind the kids of, ‘You start small and you work your way up; it doesn’t happen overnight,’ and it’s just a humbling experience of remembering where I was and now where I am. It just means a lot to me to bleed that into these girls, that have the same dreams I did.”

Saile, meanwhile, continues to have vivid memories of guiding the Sooners to a national crown earlier this summer and a showy 56-4 record.

After navigating the Big 12 softball championship, NCAA regional and super regional, Oklahoma defeated James Madison, Georgia, UCLA and Florida State at the 2021 Women’s College World Series at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

“It kind of feels like it was yesterday still,” Saile said of the historic collegiate campaign. “I just continuously live that moment in my head of just that feeling of, ‘All the hard work has finally paid off.’ Like, all of the hard work when you’re a kid, on the Little League field, and then now, in the biggest stage, it feels like, ‘Wow, everything I worked for has finally paid off,’ and not a lot of people get to experience that, and I’m so grateful that I was able to.”

All arms on deck
A slew of Saile’s former teammates, coaches and acquaintances pitched in to help the youth softball clinic run smoothly.

Twelve-year old Paige Smith, of Land O’ Lakes, gets a hit in the batting cage, an extra feature at the pitching clinic. She and her 14-year-old sister, Lilly, picked up some pointers at the clinic.

This included fellow former Land O’ Lakes High pitching standout Callie Turner, who launched her college career at the University of Tennessee, but has since transferred to the University of Arkansas, another prominent Division I SEC (Southeastern Conference) program.

Turner and Saile crossed paths in high school, when Saile was a senior and Turner a freshman.

Turner has plenty of name recognition in her own right — a former top-ranked prep softball recruit, state champion and participant on USA Softball’s Junior Women’s National Training Team.

The 5-foot-10 left-hander expressed enthusiasm about sharing her softball knowledge and wisdom with budding campers.

“When I was a kid, I didn’t have a lot of opportunities to do stuff like this,” Turner said, “(so) I think it’s really fun, and, I mean, it’s nice to think that they look up to us, so just being able to give back to the community that we grew up in, is great.”

Another notable softball figure serving up lessons — former University of Minnesota pitching standout Amber Fiser, now a softball graduate assistant at the University of Missouri.

Fiser plays alongside Saile for Team Florida in the Professional Fastpitch Softball league.

They also coached together in the Florida Gulf Coast League Pro Series, a summer collegiate softball league in the Sarasota area.

Wearing a protective fielder’s mask, 9-year-old Grace Peters, of Land O’ Lakes, was ready to take her turn on the mound. Peters was among those in the intermediate division at the Shannon Saile Pitching Clinic.

Land O’ Lakes High assistant softball coach Pascal Guarracino, another camp volunteer, took a beating while catching behind home plate.

Still, he was more than willing to don the mask and heavy glove to help current and former students.

The coach came away amazed by how Saile and Turner have transformed into top-flight Division I athletes, and their willingness to help the next wave of local softball youth.

“They really are about community, they’re about family, and it was really important for (them) to come back and do it here,” Guarracino said.

“You know, we still see them as young high school girls, as little kids, but the knowledge of the sport and the progress we’ve seen (from them) in the last four years, we learn more from them than we could learn in a (coach’s clinic) classroom.”

Turner’s father, Dave, chipped in, too.

An area softball coach himself, he emphasized the need for programs to develop more willing, confident pitchers throughout the sport.

Coach Charlie Aliano of the Cincinnati Reds lends some batting knowledge to 13-year old Olivia James, of New Port Richey. Aliano, of Land O’ Lakes, assisted during the Shannon Saile Pitching Clinic.

A lot of kids are afraid to pitch, he said.

“It’s a lot of pressure. I mean, you’re out there in the circle by yourself,” he explained.

In addition to fastpitch drills, hitting instruction was happening in batting cages next to the ballfield.

That was led by Charles Aliano, a baseball lifer who now works as a scout supervisor for the Cincinnati Reds.

His daughter, Addy, is a standout outfielder at Academy at the Lakes.

Aliano was quick to heap praise on Saile, Turner, Fiser and others for coordinating the daylong softball clinic.

He said, “It’s an amazing experience for all these girls to have those girls” working with them.

He added: “It’s special, and I think everybody should embrace it.”

Lessons learned
The next wave of local talent could include Land O’ Lakes High rising sophomore Avaree Hudson and incoming freshman Sammy Magee.

(Shannon Saile, right, a national champion softball pitcher at the University of , speaks to a group of advanced pitchers during a water and shade break at her pitching clinic at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex softball field.

Both assisted during the clinic’s morning intermediate session, then worked on honing their own softball craft in the afternoon advanced session.

They expressed gratitude for having the trio of Saile, Turner and Fiser available to help them and the younger players to develop their skills.

They acknowledged admiring the Division I players’ talent and respective softball feats.

“I think it’s a really great opportunity because all of them are taking the time to teach everyone, and all these girls are going to be girls playing in high schools around us,” said Hudson.

“They’re just taking time out of their day to teach (the campers) new things, like changeups, that they don’t know, and I think that’s really great and really special,” she said.

Added Magee, “I think it’s cool that the older girls get to come here and help with younger kids, because it all starts with the youth and learning things and getting them to look up to them, it’s like a big thing for them.”

The prep underclassman likewise left with some beneficial softball tidbits of their own, too, from the experienced college trio.

“The way they word things is so helpful to like, ‘Learning how to get into your legs and really drive,’ and get stronger as a pitcher, mentally and physically,” said Magee, who recently moved with her family to Land O’ Lakes from Pennsylvania, in search of facing greater softball competition and exposure.

Published August 04, 2021

Shannon Saile named preseason Pitcher of the Year

February 7, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

Former Land O’ Lakes High standout Shannon Saile is now generating buzz at Florida International University. (File)

Former Land O’ Lakes High softball standout Shannon Saile, now a sophomore pitcher at Florida International University, has been named 2018 Conference USA (C-USA) Preseason Pitcher of the Year and to the Preseason All-Conference Team. Saile is a year removed from C-USA Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-C-USA and All-Freshman recognition.

In her 31 starts in 2017, Saile topped league pitchers with a 1.51 ERA, a .151 opponent batting average, 3.49 hits allowed per game, four saves, and 8.1 strikeouts per seven innings. Her eight shutouts, the most among the country’s freshman, tied the conference lead, while her 240 strikeouts were good for second, tying the school’s single-season record. Her presence in the circle, meanwhile, helped FIU set the school record for wins (46), win percentage (.754) and fewest losses (15) in a season en route to its third postseason appearance.

While at Land O’ Lakes, Saile was a four-year softball and three-year volleyball standout. As a senior, she earned Third-Team All-America honors by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Published February 7, 2018

Land O’ Lakes High softball wins state title

May 24, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

They finally did it.

On May 20, the Land O’ Lakes High Gators unseated powerhouse Plantation American Heritage 3-1, claiming the Class 6A Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSSA) softball championship at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.

The achievement marks the first fastpitch title for Land O’Lakes (29-3) and the first for a Pasco County program since Ridgewood High won in 1992.

On May 20, the Land O’ Lakes High Gators defeated Plantation American Heritage 3-1, claiming the Class 6A Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) softball championship at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach. The win marks the first fastpitch title for Land O’ Lakes (29-3) and the first for a Pasco County program since Ridgewood High won in 1992.
(Courtesy of Edwin Rodriguez, Land O’ Lakes Gators varsity softball)

Making the victory even sweeter: The Gators downed the same team that eliminated them in last year’s state semifinals.

And, it wasn’t the first time this postseason Land O’ Lakes exacted revenge.

The Gators twice beat Wesley Chapel High School — in districts and regionals —after the Wildcats bested them during an April 4 regular season game (2-0 loss).

Besides payback, the championship shows the Gators — in recent years one of the region’s premier softball program — can dethrone a state dynasty; American Heritage (25-4) was making its fourth straight championship game appearance and was trying to win its eighth title overall.

Likewise impressive, the Gators won in comeback fashion.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Land O’Lakes found timely hitting —base hits by Callie Turner and Tia Williams — and benefitted from Patriot mistakes — hit by pitch, wild pitch— to build the lead for good.

Meanwhile, Turner, the team’s sophomore ace, kept the game within reach from the outset, pitching like she has all season long.

The University of Tennessee commit fired a complete game, allowing just five hits and striking out eight against a potent Patriots lineup (.447 team average, 24 home runs).

The Gators’ championship win culminated a pair of close playoff games.

The day before, on May 19, Land O’ Lakes edged North Fort Myers High 2-0 in the state semifinals.

And, on May 12, the Gators narrowly beat Springstead High 2-0 in the region finals.

For followers of Land O’ Lakes varsity softball, the championship isn’t an utter shock.

But, it’s likely eye-opening after last year’s graduation of Shannon Saile, one of the program’s all-time great pitchers.

Saile — now a freshman standout at Florida International University — amassed 517 strikeouts and a career 1.76 ERA in four seasons. She also compiled 41 wins, 31 complete games, 11 shutouts and five no-hitters in her prep career.

Moreover, Gators head coach Mitch Wilkins this season had to replace two key bats in then-seniors Tayler Holt (.347 average) and Kendall Tipton (.311 average).

No matter.

Projecting forward, a state title repeat in 2018 isn’t out of the question.

Armed with Turner (0.21 ERA, 249 strikeouts) and a budding star in sophomore Shelby Westbrook (2.10 ERA, 58 strikeouts in 43.1 innings), pitching won’t be an issue.

Hitting shouldn’t be a problem, either.

The Gators do lose centerfielder Jessie McCallister (.358 average, 17 RBIs) and outfielder Lexi Turner (.293 average, 19 RBIs).

But, the team returns just about everyone else, including sluggers Tia Williams (.444 average, 24 RBIs), Ashley Smith (.390 average, four home runs, 30 RBIs) and Brianna Lindner (.352 average, two home runs, 22 RBIs).

Not to be overlooked, Wilkins’ mentoring should provide a steadying force, too.

After a 13-13 mark in 2014, the team has since gone a combined 80-9 under Wilkins.

Published May 24, 2017

Area softball preview

March 8, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

The high school softball season in Florida is underway, and several of the top players — and teams — in the state reside right here in our coverage area. From Land O’ Lakes to Steinbrenner, there’s no shortage of prep softball talent.

Academy at the Lakes’ Alexis Kilfoyl
(File)

Some players to watch, as the season progresses:

Pitcher Alexis Kilfoyl, sophomore, Academy at the Lakes: Just a few weeks into the 2017 season, the 6-foot-1 sophomore ace and University of Alabama commit is already living up to the national hype she received throughout the preseason. Kilfoyl, a varsity standout since seventh grade, has won her first five starts, tallying a 0.50 ERA and 50 strikeouts through 28 innings. Her presence is also being felt at the plate, with a .471 average and a team-leading three home runs. Kilfoyl was selected in January to join the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Training Team, along with just 23 other athletes nationwide. She is known for her ability as a drop-ball pitcher.

Infielder/Outfielder Isabella Huff, junior, Sunlake High: A transfer from Bishop McLaughlin, the versatile fielder is on a tear this season for the Seahawks, batting a whopping .625, with two home runs, a triple and seven RBIs, through five games. It’s not a surprise, considering Huff had a breakout season in 2016, batting .441, with four home runs, six triples and 18 RBIs. Huff is also a threat on the base paths (nine steals in 2016). She was a 2016 Miracle Sports All-State Class 3A Honorable Mention.

Pitcher Callie Turner, sophomore, Land O’ Lakes High: This season, Turner has been tasked with assuming the ace pitcher role vacated by Shannon Saile, now at Florida International University. Through five appearances, Turner has handled the challenge swimmingly, compiling a 0.68 ERA and 68 strikeouts through 31 innings. A University of Tennessee commit, Turner is quickly establishing herself as one the region’s top pitchers. As a freshman in 2016, Turner won five games, netting a 0.46 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 46 innings.

Pitcher Hailee DeCicco, junior, Gaither High: The 5-foot-10 right-hander is picking up precisely where she left off in 2016. Through two starts, DeCicco has a 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts through 12 innings. Last season, DeCicco was one of the most unhittable pitchers in Hillsborough County, compiling a 0.91 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 100.1 innings. In 2016, she was a Hillsborough County Western Conference American Division First-Team selection and a 2016 Miracle Softball All-state Class 7A Second-Team selection.

Shortstop/Catcher Emma Frost, senior, Carrollwood Day School: Perhaps the most consistent hitter in our coverage area, Frost is looking to put together one of the more impressive four-year prep careers in recent memory. An immediate impact player since her freshman year, Frost has eye-popping career numbers in several categories, including batting average (.664), triples (21), doubles (24), hits (103), runs (92) and stolen bases (51). Through four games this season, Frost has already slugged two homers and is batting .615. A Florida International University signee, Frost is lauded by coaches for her all-around athleticism and deep understanding of the game.

Other key players:
Catcher Kameron Aitken, senior, Wiregrass Ranch
P/INF Emalee Jansen, senior, Steinbrenner
INF Tia Williams, junior, Land O’Lakes
3B Ashley Nickisher, sophomore, Wesley Chapel
P/SS Jordyn Kadlub, sophomore, Pasco High

Three teams to keep an eye on:

Land O’ Lakes High’s varsity softball team looks to return to the state tournament in 2017.
(Courtesy of Edwin Rodriguez)

Land O’ Lakes High: Despite graduating three starters — including former dominant ace Shannon Saile — the Gators, coached by Mitch Wilkins, are still primed as a regional powerhouse. Plenty of skill and depth remain from last year’s 27-win team that advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals. A trio of juniors — Tia Williams, Ashley Smith, Brianna Lindner — expect to offer plenty of support for sophomore ace Callie Turner. Meanwhile, opponents will have to contend with several heady baserunners, like sophomore Shelby Westbrook and senior Jessie McCallister. The Gators are currently 5-1.

Academy at the Lakes: Armed with one of the nation’s elite pitchers in Alexis Kilfoyl, the Wildcats also add a bevy of power-hitting youngsters in eighth-graders Kendra Falby, Brooke Blankenship and Devyne Davis, each of which are already making an immediate impact for the 6-0 Wildcats. It doesn’t hurt, either, to have an experienced Division I coach anchoring the program. In the offseason, the Wildcats hired Diane Stephenson to oversee the team’s move to Class 3A. Stephenson served as the head softball coach at Indiana University from 1987 to 2002. She was also an assistant softball coach at both the University of Iowa (2008-2010) and Purdue University (2010-2013). More recently, Stephenson was the head softball coach at Division II Saint Joseph’s College (2014-2015) in Renssalaer, Indiana.

Steinbrenner High: Already off to a blistering 6-0 start, the Warriors’ winning ways don’t appear to be going away anytime soon, especially under third-year coach Brenda Leach. In addition to having one of Hillsborough County’s top pitchers in Emalee Jansen (a University of Tampa signee), the Warriors return five .300 hitters from the 2016 squad. Also a solid team defensively, the Warriors figure to win several close games. Over the last two seasons, Steinbrenner has 40-13 combined record.

Published March 8, 2017

Land O’ Lakes state title bid falls short

May 18, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The score wasn’t indicative of how closely the game was played. At least that’s the opinion of Land O’ Lakes varsity softball head coach Mitch Wilkins on his team’s 5-0 loss to Plantation American Heritage in the Class 6A FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) state semifinals on May 6 in Vero Beach.

“I thought we played right even with them,” Wilkins said with authority. “Their bloop hits fell in and ours didn’t.”

Four of the Gators’ top hitters return next season, including sophomore Brianna Lindner, who led the team in home runs (6) this season. (Photos courtesy of Land O' Lakes Softball) — Four of the Gators’ top hitters return next season, including sophomore Brianna Lindner, who led the team in home runs (6) this season.
(Photos courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Softball)

Missed opportunities to score runs in the second, fifth and seventh innings handcuffed the Gators (27-3-1) from mounting a rally against American Heritage (26-2), the eventual Class 6A state champs.

Though Wilkins believes his squad matched up well with the Patriots, he acknowledged American Heritage was likely the best all-around team the Gators faced all year.

“I’d say their pitching was pretty close to Springstead (High), but hitting wise, I thought they were a little bit better than anyone we’ve faced other than maybe River Ridge,” the third-year Gators coach said.

While the Gators fell short in their hopes of winning a state title, advancing to the semifinals, or “Final Four,” will motivate the team to achieve even more success next year, Wilkins said.

“Getting the girls together and making the trip, it put a taste in their mouth that I think they’re looking to get back there,” he said. “We’re disappointed for the outcome, but in the same respect, we’re really excited and really wanting to get at it again.

“The girls were really looking forward to this season, because they knew they weren’t going to stop in the district (playoffs). They knew they were going to get to the postseason this year. They couldn’t wait to get started, and I think we’ll have the same feeling coming into next year knowing there’s a little unfinished business there,” he said.

The Land O’ Lakes Gators lost to Plantation American Heritage 5-0 in the Class 6A state semifinals on May 6 in Vero Beach.

Reaching the state tournament again won’t be an easy undertaking, as the Gators will no longer be able to rely upon the dominant arm of ace pitcher Shannon Saile, arguably the best pitcher in Pasco County this season. Saile, a Florida International University softball signee, compiled a 0.78 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 134 2/3 innings in her senior year.

Handling the loss of Saile’s immense production in the circle is something the Land O’ Lakes coaching staff will address in the offseason and into fall ball.

The team’s No. 2 pitcher Callie Turner (0.46 ERA, 79 strikeouts in 46 innings) is likely to step into the starting role now vacated by Saile, assuming the freshman continues to show the promise she displayed in the circle this past season.

“She’s got all the tools that it’ll take to become as dominant as Shannon (Saile) was this year. She just probably needs a little more experience,” Wilkins said about the rising sophomore. “She just needs to mature a little bit and keep her emotions in check, and understand what her job is. She doesn’t have to do everything — we’ve got a solid defense behind us — and she doesn’t have to strike out every batter, she just has to keep the ball off the fat part of the bat.”

Finding quality pitching won’t be the only aspect the Gators’ head coach will focus on as he looks to build an even more successful squad next season. He also plans to tackle the hitting woes the Gators experienced down the stretch of the state playoffs. In their final three games, Land O’ Lakes scored a total of two runs — each scored in one-run victories over River Ridge High and Springstead High, before being shut out by American Heritage.

“In the last three games, we didn’t hit as well as we needed to,” Wilkins said, “so that’s something that we’ll definitely be working on.”

Luckily, the Gators’ top four hitters are returning in Ashley Smith (.449 avg.), Jessie McCallister (.442 avg.), Tia Williams (.433 avg., four home runs) and Brianna Lindner (.373 avg. six home runs.)

However, putting those hitters in the right spots in the batting order, as new faces are added to the lineup, is the challenge going forward.

“We have to figure out how we’re going to realign our lineup,” Wilkins said, “and figure out what the best combination is going to be…and what works best (to) score some more runs later in the season when it counts.”

Key Departures:

Pitcher Shannon Saile (0.78 ERA, 269 strikeouts)
Catcher Tayler Holt (.347 avg, 14 RBIs)
Infielder Kendall Tipton (.311 avg, 12 doubles, 15 RBIs)

Key Returnees:

Pitcher Callie Turner (0.46 ERA, 79 strikeouts)
Outfielder Jessie McCallister (.442 avg., 14 RBIs)
Third baseman Brianna Lindner (.373 avg., six home runs, 29 RBIs)
Utility player Ashley Smith (.449 avg., two home runs, 16 RBIs)
Shortstop Tia Williams (.433 avg., four home runs, 32 RBIs)

Published May 18, 2016

Land O’ Lakes softball primed for deep playoff run

April 20, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Land O’ Lakes High School softball coach Mitchell Wilkins is taking things “one game at a time.”

Despite wrapping up a marvelous regular season (24-2-1), the third-year coach is trying not to get ahead of himself in looking at the pathway to a state title, though he knows his team matches up well against most opponents.

Head Coach Mitch Wilkins has led the Gators to two straight 20-win seasons. The team will compete in the Class 6A FHSAA regionals, starting April 20. (Courtesy of Land O' Lakes Football) — Head Coach Mitch Wilkins has led the Gators to two straight 20-win seasons. The team will compete in the Class 6A FHSAA regionals, starting April 20.
(Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Football)

The Gators are rolling into the playoffs as one of the state’s hottest teams—reeling off 15 straight wins, many by large margins of victory.

“I think we’re set,” the third-year coach said. “I have in my mind how I want to approach as we go through regionals.”

To win the Class 6A FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) state title, the Gators will have to win five straight games in the process, starting on April 20.

But, Wilkins is careful not to look too far ahead.

“I can’t be distracted by that, because we know what happened last year—we lost in the second round at the districts semifinals and didn’t get to go any further — so we have to look at each game and figure out what’s the best approach for that game before we start looking at a state championship.”

After finishing 24-3 last season—district semifinals’ hiccup aside— Wilkins knew he had an established team with lofty expectations entering the 2016 season.

“We knew we had good players, but we wanted to see how they matched up — and so far so good,” Wilkins said. “We’re really happy with what we have, not only one through nine, but we’ve got weapons on the bench that I can put in and feel just as comfortable having play.”

One player that Wilkins is always comfortable playing is senior ace pitcher Shannon Saile (four no-hitters, 0.66 ERA), who’s struck out 221 batters —which ranks fifth in the state. Her ability to throw all her pitches—fastball, curveball, screwball, riseball— in each quadrant of the strike zone has made the FIU (Florida International University) softball commit a nightmare for opposing hitters.

“She’s been a monster,” her coach said. “She hits both sides of the plate. …She loves to pitch at the bottom of the strike zone.

“She gets a lot of swinging strikes—pitches out of the zone—because the (opposing) girls know they have to be ready and swing early, because she throws so hard.”

Averaging more than two strikeouts for every inning pitched, Saile’s presence in the circle has taken a significant burden off of the team’s defense, Wilkins said.

“Defensively, when I only have to account for one out an inning — that is such a blessing,” the Gators coach said. “That takes a lot of stress off our defense. The most stressful thing they have is waiting to see if somebody’s going to hit the ball and put it in play. …They have to stay on the balls of their feet the whole time, if somebody does hit it.”

Giving the Gators additional assurance heading into the postseason is the emergence of several young players, including two-way freshmen Callie Turner and Shelby Westbrook, and sophomores Brianna Lindner, Ashley Smith and Tia Williams.

“We have a good mixture of youth and veterans,” Wilkins said, noting eight of the team’s 14 players will earn their first varsity letter. “This year, we are better pitching, but we haven’t hit quite as well as we did last year—but we haven’t needed to. In the same respect, we’ve played better competition this year.”

That “better competition” includes Springstead (24-1)— a team the Gators fell to 1-0 in extra innings in the season opener—whom Land O’ Lakes may rematch if both teams reach the regional finals.

“We know they’ve made some improvements since then, and we’ve made some improvements since then, so it’ll probably be a little bit different game,” Wilkins said, adding, “we’re confident we can play with them.”

“We feel — especially with Shannon pitching and our defense, and the emerging offense from our sophomore starters — that we can compete with anybody in the state.”

Land O’ Lakes Gators softball
Head Coach: Mitchell Wilkins (3rd year)
Record: 24-2-1
Player to watch: Senior pitcher Shannon Saile (15-2 W-L, 0.66 ERA, 221 Ks, four no-hitters)

“Shannon’s been great. She’s done everything we’ve asked her to do and more. She elevated her game a couple summers ago when she realized she had the opportunity to be the No. 1 pitcher. She added some miles per hour to her pitching speed and worked on her different pitches to be that dominant pitcher. She has worked hard to become that.” –Coach Mitchell Wilkins

Sophomore sluggers: Brianna Lindner (.375 avg., 4 HRs, 26 RB)
Tia Williams (.463 avg., 4HRs, 30 RBI)
Ashley Smith (.443 avg., 2 HR, 16 RBI)
X-Factor: Freshman Shelby Westbrook (29 runs scored, 16 stolen bases)

“Shelby has really emerged as a weapon just with her speed. She creates a lot of havoc when she’s on base. All she has to do is put the ball in play, and it’s a really good opportunity for her to get on base.” –Coach Mitchell Wilkins

Published April 20, 2016