Mitchell star works out of early slump

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Mitchell softball coach Scott Bisbe felt Moira Gustin would overcome a slow start -- just like last year when she won the team's batting title in the final game.

This time, however, Bisbe resorted to a strategic ploy to snap his No. 3 batter out of an early-season slump.

Bisbe had Gustin hit and run in a Feb. 28 game against Land O'Lakes and even though Gustin was thrown out by the second baseman on a smash that deflected off the pitcher's foot, both player and coach were pleased with how hard the ball was hit.

"I hit the ball really hard," Gustin said. "Now I just have to find the gap."

"She broke out that game," said Bisbe. "She was 1-for-5, but she hit the ball on the nose."

Gustin's hardest hit in that game bounced off the centerfield fence for her lone double this season.

"I thought it was going to get out of there for a second," Bisbe said.

Gustin's low point this season came when she watched strike three go past with the bases loaded and two outs in a loss to Tarpon Springs.

"She wasn't really being aggressive at the plate. She was taking a lot of pitches," Bisbe said.

"She's such a great athlete. As soon as she starts being more aggressive, she'll hit the ball.

"I may have to put the hit-and-run on for her with nobody on."

Though her .286 batting average pales in comparison to last year's .351 mark, which topped teammate Michelle McDonald by one percentage point, Gustin feels she will have no trouble equaling -- or even surpassing -- last year's average.

"I've done it before so I can do it again," Gustin said.

Bisbe traces Gustin's slow starts, in part, to Mitchell's girls basketball team.

An All-Sunshine Athletic Conference forward for the Mustangs team that made the regional quarterfinals, Gustin was a late arrival for softball.

Nonetheless, the coach feels Gustin will "come on. I know it's only a matter of time."

That explains why the coach does not intend to take Gustin out of the No. 3 spot in the batting order.

Gustin also need not be concerned with playing other positions this season.

Last year, the centerfielder played shortstop and third base on occasion, in part to solidify the infield when Trish Blankenship, who also played shortstop, pitched.

"I could use her in the infield, but I really want her to anchor the outfield," Bisbe said.

"She goes back on the ball better than most high school players. She has good speed and a strong arm."

Eric Gustin said his daughter has always had "the ability to break on the ball quickly."

Gustin, who has played basketball the past six years, said that sport takes a backseat to softball, which she has played since she was 4 years old. Gustin has been playing in leagues since she was 8.

As a senior on a softball team that includes seven freshman, Gustin said she feels compelled to take on more of a leadership role this season.

"I'm a lot more vocal this year," Gustin said. "One of my goals is to help (my teammates) because we have so many freshmen."

Land O'Lakes coach Jerry English said Mitchell's underclassmen could learn by watching Gustin.

"She's a good heads-up ballplayer," English said. She's very enthusiastic and she hustles all the time."

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