Coburn could make immediate impact at JU

The classes are small, the program is brand new and there is a good opportunity for early playing time.

Those were the magic words to Melissa Coburn.

Once the Crystal River senior heard Jacksonville University had that to offer, she knew that was where she wanted to spend the next four years. Twice a Times All-Citrus/Hernando pick, Coburn signed a letter of intent with the Dolphins on Monday. Academic and athletic aid will cover nearly 60 percent of her expenses.

"I liked the atmosphere, I liked the city, and they're getting a new field," Coburn said.

Coburn, a third baseman, chose the Dolphins over Santa Fe Community College. JU is coached by Jeff Franquet, who previously was at Central Florida Community College in Ocala.

Jill Bandhauer of Lecanto and Jenny Clark of Central signed with Jacksonville.

Coburn leads the area with six home runs and is batting .386. As a junior, she hit .323 and had 5 triples and 5 doubles. She slugged five homers in 2000.

"It's a great accomplishment," Crystal River coach Lanna Hough said. "She's worked hard for this. I know she's excited. It's a great opportunity. I'm happy for her. If she works hard (at JU), she should do well."

Coburn is expected to compete for playing time at third base and in the outfield. She will enroll in the fall and plans to major in business administration.

HITTING ITS STRIDE: Citrus (16-7, 3-4 in 3A-6) has won nine of 10. The Hurricanes finished the regular season with a 14-0 rout of Mount Dora.

"We're clicking right now," Citrus coach Scott Waters said. "As a coach, you're happy to see that when tournament time comes around you're hitting on all cylinders."

The 'Canes are 2-0 with two shutouts against Dunnellon, tonight's opponent, but probably will not take the Tigers lightly. In last year's district tourney, Citrus lost to Crystal River, whom it had beaten three times in the regular season. The Hurricanes committed 15 errors in the 7-0 defeat.

"We've learned not to look ahead," Waters said.

Citrus is batting .305 and seven players are hitting .300 or better, led by Rebecca Daigle's .441 average. Senior Krystle Cummings (11-4), among the area's most consistent pitchers, will start. The Citrus-Dunnellon winner plays top-seeded Hernando on Thursday. Citrus is 0-1 against the Leopards.

RALLYING CRY: Lecanto is 9-16, 2-4 in 4A-7, but the Panthers enter the tournament having closed the regular season with come-from-behind wins over Ocala Forest (8-7) and Hernando (10-8).

"I think that tells the girls they can actually do it," Lecanto coach Amy Lilley said. "It shows them they can come back and win instead of giving up."

The Panthers' pitching and defense have been solid. But only Bandhauer and Dana Teller are hitting better than .300. The team has nearly 200 strikeouts.

"We need to keep the strikeouts low and get more hits," Lilley said. "Right now, no one is blasting it, but we're getting base hits at crucial times."

Lecanto will start Nikki Pontius (7-9). It is 0-2 against Springstead, today's opponent.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright