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Softball region finals

By SCOTT PURKS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 4, 2002

CLASS 6A, REGION 2

• Bloomingdale (25-6) at Riverview (26-5), 7:30 p.m.

OUTLOOK: Here we go again! This is the fourth meeting between the Bulls and Sharks with the Bulls having a 2-1 edge, winning the first two games 1-0 and 2-0. Riverview won the district final 3-0. Sense a shutout trend here? The pitchers, Bloomingdale's Stacey Bronson and Riverview's Beth DiPietro, are dominating. Bronson struck out 18 in Thursday's 6-0 region semifinal win over No. 1-ranked Santaluces. DiPietro has around 350 strikeouts, including 28 in an 11-inning, 1-0 victory over Gaither earlier this season. Get the idea? Whoever scores first in this one will probably win.

CLASS 5A, REGION 2

• Durant (19-6) at Plant City (18-9), 7 p.m.

OUTLOOK: Here we go again! Part II. This is the fourth meeting between the Cougars and Raiders, with the Cougars winning the first two and Plant City taking the district final. The Raiders have two strong pitchers, Jenna Thompson and Miranda Gunn, but Durant has proven it can beat anybody anywhere after playoff victories at powerhouses Winter Springs and Chamberlain. Cougars junior pitcher Mandy Garcia gives Durant a chance to win every time she takes the mound.

CLASS 4A, REGION 3

• Barron Collier (20-9) at Sickles (22-3), 5 p.m.

OUTLOOK: Sickles appears bound and determined to defend its state title, but first it must survive tonight, which could be difficult. Barron Collier, you see, is on a mission of its own: trying to reach the state tournament for the fifth time in six seasons and trying to win its sixth title. With Jackie Leppla throwing for the Gryphons and Kris Schaus throwing for Barron Collier (Schaus no-hit Plant on Thursday to advance), this should be reeeeallll good.

CLASS 2A, REGION 3

• Lake Highland Prep (26-3) at Academy of the Holy Names (21-1), 1 p.m.

OUTLOOK: Academy might be the best Class 2A softball team in the state, and it might also be the most superstitious softball team in the state. The Jaguars eat certain meals, wear certain underwear, ride certain buses (only yellow), and ... and why not? It works. With Jennifer Jacobs on the mound and Casey Nash and the rest of the lineup rapping hits, AHN just keeps winning. Will it win today? Well, the Jaguars won't be riding a yellow bus because they're at home, which should give them all the advantage they need.

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