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Jaguars prove it's fun to win

When Larry Rodriguez arrived at Academy of the Holy Names this year, he wanted to bring the same kind of fun and loose atmosphere he left at Plant where he was an assistant.

Fun, Rodriguez figured, would equate to relaxation and, coupled with the talent Academy is capable of providing, would lead to wins.

So if you see the Jaguars eating Popsicles, indulging in a Sno-ball or even winging a water balloon at an unsuspecting coach, just realize it's all part of a plan that had them sitting at 15-1 entering Friday night's game against Berkeley Prep. "Basically we have a relaxed atmosphere here," Rodriguez said. "We always talk about what our philosophy is and that's to take one pitch, one out, one inning at a time. It's just a game, it's not life and death. But when they get on the field, it's all business."

Indeed it is. Academy is following up last season's 19-9 showing and first district title since 1978 with an 11-game winning streak and the chance to earn a somewhat easier road to the state tournament.

The winner of Friday night's game earned the top seed in the Class 2A, District 11 tournament, and the winner of the district will get to host all three regional playoff games. The intriguing part of that is that Berkeley is the only team to beat Academy this season, winning the first game 3-2 in eight innings March 1.

"The big thing is district playoffs," Rodriguez said. "If you're the No. 1 seed, your road to the championship game is easier. In order to get to the state playoffs here in Tampa, the road comes through whoever wins. If Academy wins, they have to come to us. If Berkeley wins, they have to go to them. That's one of big things."

NO HITS FOR YOU, PART I: Sickles coach Tammy Overcash admits she wasn't sure exactly what to expect when Jackie Leppla took over as the Gryphons' full-time pitcher this season. Pitching in every game is a big enough step without having to fill the shoes of a star like Julie Henneke, who graduated last year. For the record, Leppla is doing just fine.

The junior threw her first no-hitter Tuesday as Sickles beat Blake 14-0. That win raised her record to 11-3 and gave her 62 strikeouts in 72 innings.

"She's been very calm, very level-headed," Overcash said. "She has really stepped into the role nicely. That night, she hit her locations and she was in control of the game."

NO HITS FOR YOU, PART II: While Leppla was pulling off her heroics Tuesday night, East Bay's duo of Danielle Urbanik and Stephanie Smith were combining to throw a no-hitter of their own.

The Indians tandem no-hit Robinson, although no one seemed to realize it until after the game.

"I was surprised because when you split the two pitchers you don't realize what's going on," coach Glenn Rodriguez said. "My wife came down after the game and told me and I went over and congratulated both of them."

The game marked a continuance of Urbanik's dominance (she entered with 236 strikeouts in 119 innings). More important, it signaled a return to form for Smith, who was in a car crash more than a month ago that threatened to end her season.

"She hurt her hip and at first the doctors said it would be three months," Rodriguez said.

Smith pitched the final three innings of the Indians' 7-0 win, despite throwing only one inning since the crash. Urbanik and Smith have combined on two no-hitters this season, and Urbanik has pitched two by herself.

STRIKEOUT QUEEN: The anticipated moment finally occurred during the Kissimmee Klassic -- Riverview ace Beth DiPietro became the county's single season strikeout leader.

DiPietro set the record during the consolation final against St. Thomas Aquinas. She surpassed the mark of East Bay's Mandy Schuermann, who finished with 319.

"It's quite an accomplishment for her, the team and the program," Riverview coach Angela Slater said. "It's one of life's steps. Her dad came around the dugout and I made her go out into the stands to hug her mom."

With the record out of the way, the Sharks could turn their attention to more important matters, such as playing Sarasota Riverview on Friday night with the top seed in the district going to the winner.

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