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Coming off their best season, the Royal Knights hope to advance past today's Class 4A Region 2 final to the state tournament next week.
By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 4, 2002
NEW PORT RICHEY -- It would appear the River Ridge High softball team has reached its zenith. The Royal Knights (29-2) have set a single-season high for victories and won two playoff games -- two more than in their previous 10 seasons combined.
But River Ridge's best season isn't done yet. Coach Ernie Beck and his players will tell you a state title is not out of the question.
A victory in tonight's Class 4A Region 2 final at 7 p.m. at Green Cove Spring Clay (southwest of Jacksonville) would put River Ridge in the state tournament that begins Wednesday at the Ed Radice Sports Complex in Tampa.
For senior pitcher Christine Beck, getting a chance to play in the state tournament has been "a long time coming. I've been with this team for seven years, since I was in middle school," said Christine, the coach's daughter.
"I didn't have a ride home, so I was the scorekeeper."
Now she is the team's ace with a 15-1 record that includes a three-hitter in Thursday's 5-1 region semifinal victory over Orange Park Ridgeview.
As has been the case after each postseason game, parents lined up the team and coaches Thursday night for a photo shoot. Coach Beck said that shows the unity of the players, coaches and parents.
"Talent is great, but you have to have a team that goes out as a team," Beck said. "Unity brings out the talent."
Taking on Clay (22-9), last year's Class 4A state champion, will be the Knights' toughest test to date. But with players like Beck, pitcher Kiki Von Holt (12-1), shortstop Stefanie Simon (.361 batting average, team-high 34 RBIs) and leadoff hitter Adrienne Cicirello (two triples in two region games), the Knights have the talent to pull it off.
"There's going to be a lot of kids who get a lot of recognition and some that don't," the coach said. "But everybody deserves it."
In another game involving a local team, Pasco High (14-14) visits Bartow (30-2) at 7:30 tonight in the Class 3A region final, with the winner advancing to the state tournament next week in Tampa.
WHO: River Ridge (29-2) vs. Green Cove Springs Clay (22-9)
WHAT: Class 4A, Region 2 final
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHERE: Clay High School
DIRECTIONS: Take SR 50 East to I-75 North. After about 80 miles, exit at SR 121 (Exit 74). Keep left at the fork in the ramp. Turn left onto SR 121 North. Stay straight onto SR 331 North. After about 5 miles, SR 331 North becomes SR 24 East. Follow for 13 miles. Turn right onto U.S. 301 North and go 11 miles. Turn right onto Highway 16 and go 25 miles. The school is at 2025 Highway 16 West in Green Cove Springs. ADMISSION: $5
AT STAKE: A region championship and a berth in the state tournament Wednesday to Friday at the Ed Radice Sports Complex in Tampa.