By Kyle LoJacono
The Pasco softball team has made the regional tournament the last seven seasons and a loss in the first round last year may be what gets the program to its eighth in a row.
The Pirates (13-4) were ousted by east Pasco County rival Zephyrhills in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals 12-2 in 2010. The loss gave the squad extra motivation to improve during the offseason.
“We went to school with a lot of those girls, so we’ve had to hear crap talk from them for a year now,” said junior first baseman Sarah Burchfield. “I think that’s pushed us. Coaches have reminded us of who beat us last year too.”
Pasco coach Lisa Herndon has noticed something different in this year’s team.
“That was one of our team goals coming into the season,” Lisa said. “We wanted to go further than last year and because of who knocked us out. It’s like they’re on a mission.”
A large part of that mission is being accomplished by senior pitcher Courtney Brandt (8-2). Her 0.21 ERA is the lowest on the squad, giving up She has given up eight earned run all year while striking out a team-high 107 batters and holding opposing hitters to a .119 batting average.
“I think the team has come a long way from last year,” said Brandt, who is also an outfielder and first baseman. “Everyone has really matured and improved. Everyone came in ready to play and their heads are in the game.”
Joining Brandt on the Pirates pitching staff is junior Emily Pennington.
“This is probably our best year since I’ve been here,” said Pennington, who is also an outfielder and second baseman. “We work together a lot. There’s no drama. We’re like sisters.”
Pennington (2-1) has four saves this season with 35 Ks. While she is a pitcher, Pennington said she is very different than Brandt.
“I’m more laid back and quiet,” Pennington said. “I’m the complete opposite of Courtney.
“I’m kind of lucky to be on her team because I get to watch her, see how she does things and try to mimic her,” Pennington continued. “She helps me. She’s not afraid to tell me how to do something or say I should work a little harder on something.”
Pasco is at the top of Class 4A-District 7 standings; it is also one of the younger squads in the county. Brandt, Erika Valdes and Camryn Ritter are the only seniors on the 13-member roster.
The Pirates are young and seem poised to have more young contributors in the future. Their junior varsity (JV) squad has started the season 11-2.
“Our JV team is really good,” said Pasco assistant and JV coach Amy Herndon, Lisa’s daughter. “It’s one of the best teams we’ve had here.”
Sarah is one of the more veteran members of the squad, having played the last three years. She said she has been focusing on improving her hitting this year. Her batting average sits at .309 with 15 runs scored and 10 RBI. Her younger sister Lizzy, a sophomore infielder, is batting .333 with 20 runs scored.
Sophomore outfielder and pitcher Kelli Parker has been working on her hitting like Sarah, but more on building her power. She hit her first career home run in a 9-0 win against Mitchell on March 11. The left-handed batter pulled an inside curveball well over the right field wall.
“It hit the sign out there,” Parker said. “I’ve been waiting for that and it finally happened.”
Parker’s .333 batting average is the second highest on the squad and has 18 runs scored.
Brandt is also one of the Pirates’ top hitters, leading the squad with .491 batting average, 19 RBI, six steals and four home runs.
“We’ve got a couple games left and we want to keep getting better every day,” Lisa said. “Hopefully our batting keeps getting better and our pitching stays solid.”
Pasco plays at home against Wiregrass Ranch on Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.
