Pachik perfect for PHCC

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Chris Pachik is not only Pasco-Hernando Community College's winningest pitcher, he is PHCC's only pitcher without a loss.

Pachik (4-0, 3.18 ERA) helped PHCC avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of South Florida CC last week by pitching the Conquistadors to a 10-5 win Wednesday.

Coach Steve Winterling asked his ace to do the same Monday against St. Petersburg College, which defeated PHCC 9-6 on Friday and 3-2 Saturday (Monday's result was unavailable at press time).

"He pulled one off, but we were able to score some runs," Winterling said of Pachik, who scattered three hits and allowed two earned runs in five innings of the 10-5 win. "(PHCC hitters) seem to play pretty well for him and get him some run support."

Pachik, a freshman right-hander from Palm Harbor University, is among PHCC's few bright spots. The Conquistadors headed into Monday's game with a 9-19-1 record, 2-6 in the Suncoast Conference.

Winterling is encouraged with the offense of late.

In the past five games, PHCC batters averaged .282. Leading the way in that stretch were: Chris Lee, .478; Greg Crawford (East Lake), .417; Derrell Smith, .381; and Danny Wardell (Zephyrhills), .312.

"The guys who have been struggling came around," Winterling said.

SOFTBALL TOURNEY: PHCC's softball team, which sports a 13-13 record, hosts a weekend tournament that features five teams with the championship to be played Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday's schedule is: 8:30 a.m. -- Hillsborough CC vs. PHCC; 10 a.m. -- St. Petersburg College vs. Central Florida CC; 11:30 a.m. -- PHCC vs. Manatee CC; 1 p.m. -- Hillsborough CC vs. Central Florida CC; 2:30 p.m. Manatee CC vs. St. Petersburg College; 4 p.m. -- PHCC vs. Hillsborough CC/Central Florida CC winner.

WINNING STARTS: Saint Leo's baseball and softball teams posted winning records one week into their Sunshine State Conference schedules.

The softball team (17-7, 3-1 SSC) shares the conference lead with Barry and Lynn.

Saint Leo split with Rollins -- a 7-0 loss followed by a 3-2 win in eight innings -- on Saturday before Sunday's sweep of Florida Tech -- 7-6 and 1-0.

Kristin Alvarez singled for the Lions in the eighth inning against Rollins and scored the game-winner on a Denyve Duncan triple.

Saint Leo rallied from a three-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh to beat Florida Tech. Jen Kwiatkowski's two-run double tied the game at 6 and Wendy Geer's run-scoring single scored Jen Shirley with the game winner.

In Sunday's nightcap, Heather Gamlin pitched a three-hitter and Duncan hit a game-winning double to score Jessica McKenzie.

Duncan, a freshman middle infielder from Palm Harbor University, was named SSC Co-Player of the Week, averaging .571 with four runs scored, a double, triple and two game-winning hits.

Saint Leo's baseball team (18-10) has won six of its last seven games including a 2-1 start in the SSC.

Derrick McNeil, a sophomore second baseman, sparked had his best week of the season. The former Land O'Lakes star hit .440, and had 11 runs, 8 RBIs, 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 3 walks and a steal.

Rocky Barror (.470), Trevor Hall (.375), Jason Lopez (.363), Josh Neitz (.355) and Bryan Melko (.333) also keyed the Lions' offense.

Eric Paone went 2-0 and was named the SSC Pitcher of the Week. The junior right-hander limited opponents to 10 hits and one run in two starts. He did not walk a batter and struck out 13.

GOLFERS PLACE THIRD: A week after finishing second at the Barry Invitational, the Saint Leo men's golf team finished third in the Kennesaw State Invitational at Charleston, S.C. Junior Nick Rich, who shot 75-76-151, was named to the all-tournament team.

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