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Softball Extra

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 11, 2002

Games to watch

Countryside at Palm Harbor U.

WHEN: Friday, 4 p.m.

Cougars coach Scott Kitchen

OUTLOOK: Last Wednesday's game was rained out, so Friday's the day for the crucial Class 5A, District 9 rematch. The last three contests have been 1-0 extra-inning affairs, and the ingredients are there for another. Countryside has not put up runs at the same rate as last year, and PHU's style is to play for one run and let great pitching and defense win the game. Countryside is ranked No. 2 in 5A and No. 4 in the latest studentsports.com national rankings. PHU is ranked No. 3 and No. 16 in the same polls. A win over the Cougars last month has not been enough for the pollsters, apparently, but the Hurricanes can be assured of the higher billing with a second win Friday.

Northeast at Osceola

WHEN: Today, 4 p.m.

OUTLOOK: The Warriors are the only team that can derail the Vikings' run to the Pinellas County Athletic Conference South Division title, but they have not had a great week. Largo picked up its first win at Osceola's expense, 14-4, then Osceola lost close games to East Lake (4-3) and Clearwater (12-10). The Warriors have hitters (Holly Elliott, .532 and Jenna Pine, .475), but can they do it against Northeast ace Crystal Folwell?

The Super Seven

With last week's ranking in parenthesis

T1. (1) Palm Harbor U. (22-3) -- Advances to first PCAC title game with extra-inning win over Seminole.

T1. (2) Countryside (24-1) -- We hate ties, but must let this one settle itself Friday.

3. (3) St. Petersburg Catholic (19-3) -- Shut out Class A No. 7 Seminole Presbyterian for the second time in as many weeks.

4. (4) Seminole (18-6) -- Could surprise in 5A regionals, but will need to drive home runners from scoring position (eight stranded vs. PHU).

5. (5) Northeast (14-3) -- Folwell pitches two-hitter in 6-0 win at Gibbs; driving for berth in April 19 PCAC final.

6. (6) Northside Chr. (10-4) -- Pitcher Amy McGathey picks up first loss against Sarasota Christian but maintains 0.00 ERA.

7. (7) Tarpon Springs (9-7) -- Handled district foes Mitchell and Gulf, but lost to PHU. Join the club, Spongers.

Learning trip

Though it had won 16 of 17 games, St. Petersburg Catholic did not know how good it really was. A trip to Bradenton last weekend was to help answer the big question.

The answer? Maybe.

Maybe SPC, ranked No. 10 in Class 2A, is the real deal. Maybe not.

Coach Tom Fabian is optimistic, especially considering ace Angela Vidal started only one of four games, but he also expected a bit more from the Barons.

SPC beat East Lake 8-0 and Bradenton Manatee 8-5, but lost 7-1 to Class 6A Venice and 5-1 to 2A's top team, Orlando Lake Highland Prep.

"They did well, nothing to brag about, but we could have played a lot better," Fabian said. "We made a lot of errors and stuff we usually don't do."

Michelle Tatlock and Lauren Timberlake took the ball for SPC most of the weekend and pitched respectably. Fabian likely could have given Vidal more innings and boosted SPC's chances in the tournament, but instead chose to look ahead to more important games.

"I don't believe in throwing the same kid game after game after game just because you're winning," Fabian said. "If you have other pitchers, why throw just one?"

A fair question, but look for Vidal to be on the hill later this month for all of the Barons' district and regional tournament games.

NOTE TO COACHES: The Times will publish softball statistics every Thursday. Send them to John Schwarb by noon Wednesdays via fax (445-4119), voice mail (445-4170) or e-mail

schwarb@ sptimes.com.

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