 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Uniform objectives
By KRISTEN LEIGH PORTER INVERNESS -- They turned in their black and gold softball uniforms at the end of the season, but three Citrus players are far from done wearing them. Whitney Gelin, Alycia LePage and Mettina Maggiore just trade them in for new ones until next spring. The rising seniors go their separate ways to compete in travel ball during the offseason. The time and commitment it entails is fueled by the desire to someday wear an altogether different uniform. A collegiate uniform. While representing the Clearwater Bombers in red, white and blue this summer, LePage has been working on slapping and dragging on the left-hand side. The shortstop, a Class 3A all-state second-team selection, said she has seen improvement in her defense since the high school schedule ended in May. Bombers coach Don Elliott said the leadoff hitter for his 16-and-under team likely is NCAA Division-I bound. LePage has received letters from schools and sent out letters of interest. "I know a lot of people are looking at her and at the whole team in general," said Elliott, who has Countryside first-team all-state pitcher Bree Spence on his roster. "We travel to all the exposure tournaments and give them that necessary exposure. "With what she's doing this summer, it's going to make her a whole 'nother player," he said of LePage. "Her skills and attitude have obviously improved." LePage and Gelin batted .340 or better and were named honorable-mention All-Citrus/HernandoCounty and to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference All-Academic squad. But until they return to the Citrus diamond, Gelin will be competing for the Gainesville Gators. According to Gators coach Chris Ahern, the catcher has been calling her own games and drawing attention with the way she sets them up and sits them down. "Whitney's Division-I material all the way," Ahern said. "She works on everything, runs, works out, eats right. She's just that serious about being good. "When we go to tournaments, everyone else wants to go to the mall and she's going to the workout room." A state weightlifting champ, Gelin lifts 4-5 days a week and practices 1-2 times with her travel team. Her work ethic makes her an attractive candidate to college recruiters, Ahern said. "I know that they're looking for someone who works hard and has good grades, and you can't be joking around on the field," Gelin said. "They're looking for hustle and leadership, and especially as a catcher they're looking for strength and for you to be smart mentally." On her 18-and-under Gainesville club, Gelin plays with two players who will be competing at the Division-I level and several junior college players. Ahern, on the Santa Fe Community College coaching staff, said the summer competition is as good as in the collegiate ranks. Maggiore hopes to play Division-I ball, and has made strides with the Tampa Wildcats. This summer, the second baseman has learned how to bat left-handed, whereas before she only bunted a little from the left side. The improvement that will have been made by virtue of the off-season dedication of his three players should make Citrus coach Scott Waters happy this spring. The trio remembers well their runner-up finish to Crystal River in District 6 the last time they shared the same dugout. "It makes us want to do better, because it will probably be us and Crystal River in districts again," LePage said. "That was the second year in a row we lost to them, and we want to beat them our senior year." Crystal River has several players competing in travel ball. Maggiore plays with Pirates Cassie Pearson and Ashley Bullion on their Tampa team. "They stand out, you can tell," Maggiore said of the prep players on travel teams. "We're hoping the experience helps us become more comfortable playing high school ball and have a better understanding of the game," she said. The travel ball experience should come in handy when Maggiore, LePage and Gelin are wearing the same black and gold uniforms at Citrus. They hope their commitment will make next season, and subsequent years, a success. -- Kristen Leigh Porter can be reached at 564-3628 or kporter@sptimes.com Three college hopefuls from Citrus split up on travel teams, working to improve and better the Hurricanes when they don the black and gold again in the spring.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
|
