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Dunedin one victory shy of World Series

Dunedin is one win from advancing to the Senior softball World Series in Jeffersontown, Ky., after it defeated North Carolina 4-0 on Wednesday at the Southeast Regional in Columbus, Ga.

"We're running the same magic," Dunedin coach Vince Ionata said.

Dunedin scored its first run in the second when Kristina Hilberth crossed the plate on a two-out single by Brandy Holmes. Christina Ionata drove in Carly Trudell to extend the lead to 2-0.

Bryce Crouch and Hilberth each had run-scoring hits. Sarah Kohlbrener, Ashley Wall and Trudell had multiple hits. Kalli Cora and Crouch combined on the four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts.

Not only has Dunedin been turning heads at the Southeast Regional with its play on the field -- no errors through 21 innings -- but off the field as well.

Dunedin arrived in Columbus on Saturday, a day before the other teams, so it could spend an extra day practicing. The girls raised $500 to pay for the extra day after winning the state championship.

"We feel, looking back, that was the best $500 we've ever spent," Ionata said.

The team has also adopted a pregame routine similar to the one it used during the final game of the state championship, practicing off-site and arriving at the park 30 minutes before the game.

"The kids like it," Ionata said. "It really helps not having to chase them around. We're just keeping the kids away from all the excitement of the other games going on at the site.

"It's like our little practice site," Ionata said. "Our home away from home."

Dunedin will play the winner between North Carolina and Virginia today at noon for the championship. If Dunedin loses, there will be a second and deciding game Friday.

RBI BASEBALL: The St. Petersburg Devil Rays dropped their opening game at the RBI Baseball World Series in Chicago 8-4 to Philadelphia. The Devil Rays will take on Newark, N.J., on Friday.

FLML: St. Petersburg captured a fifth consecutive 9-10 Minor Major state title with a 15-0 win over Tallahassee on Friday. Kraig Richmond hit a three-run homer and pitched a complete-game shutout for the win. Walter Lamerson and Anthony Joseph each had two doubles while Noel Thomas hit one.

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