By Kyle LoJacono
The Pasco softball team advanced to the Class 4A regional finals, using two very different methods to achieve victory.
The Pirates (25-6) first defeated Lecanto at home in the quarterfinals in a slugfest 9-3 on April 27, and then beat River Ridge on the road 2-0 in a pitching duel on April 29. Pasco last reached the regional finals in 2007 when the squad was the state runner-up.
Pasco senior pitcher Courtney Brandt threw a complete game one-hitter while striking out 10 batters in the semis. Junior outfielder Vanessa Mills hit a two-run inside-the-park home run in the second inning to score the only runs the Pirates would need.
Against Lecanto, the Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by senior pitcher Courtney Brandt and an RBI single by sophomore third baseman Jordan Lane. Sophomore centerfielder Kelli Parker added her second career home run in the second to help stretch the lead to 6-0 after the frame.
Lecanto (9-14) started a comeback in the top of the third when they drew a walk and hit a double with two outs. Shortstop Taylor Upchurch hit a three-run blast over the leftfield wall to cut the lead to 6-3
“When they hit that ball over, all I could say is it’s a game now. We’ve got to get back to playing hard,” Lane said.
Pasco added two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth. Lane went 2-4 at the plate with a double. She also made a pair of backhand catches on screaming line drives to save sure doubles in the field in her second game back from an ankle injury that kept her out for two weeks.
“We depend on her defense as much as her hitting,” said Pasco coach Lisa Herndon. “We’re getting her back at the right time and we’re glad for that. She makes a difference on the bases and at the plate with timely hits. She’s always come through for us.”
Mills went 2-4 with a double and a solo homer. Junior first baseman Sarah Burchfield added a two-run double in the quarters.
Brandt (16-4) threw 103 pitches in the complete game victory against Lecanto. She struck out 11 and allowed three hits and one walk in the contest — which was not good enough for the Stetson University signee.
“Actually it was an off night,” Brandt said.
Brandt may be hard on herself, but she lights up when talking about the team’s opportunity this year.
“I’ve never gotten out of the first round before,” Brandt said. “I’m feeling really confident in our team right now. I want to win and go on as far as I can before I graduate.”
Pasco was knocked out for the regional quarterfinals last year. Parker said the desire to go further into the postseason combined with players’ personalities have made the difference.
“I think we’ve been working together really well,” Parker said. “I think that’s what’s really made the difference this year.”
The Pirates host Harmony on Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m.
