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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 8, 2003
RIVERVIEW -- Riverview left Sarasota Riverview's field Tuesday after a 2-1 loss determined to not let other games come down to the wire.
Chamberlain (5-0), with an experienced team and a top pitcher in Amanda Cody, ruined that.
But this time the Sharks held on for a 3-1 win with help from Beth DiPietro on the mound and Hillsborough County's top hitter, Caycie Maines.
"Last year we played with an attitude that if we get one run, we can hang on with good defense and win with Beth on the mound," Riverview coach Angie Slater said. "In our loss to Sarasota Riverview that didn't work, so tonight we kept pushing for more runs.
"I challenged the kids before the game to go out and win every inning, and I think we did except for the third."
Maines, who began the game hitting .750 with nine RBIs and four homers, hit a two-run single in the second inning and came home on a double by DiPietro.
Chamberlain scored in the third off a Sharks throwing error. With one out Natalie Ippolito reached first on a walk and stole second, and a wild throw as she was stealing third allowed her to score.
DiPietro and the Sharks improved to 4-1. Cody dropped to 4-1, the Chiefs to 5-1.
Cody and Jo Jo Medina had Chamberlain's hits.
Darlene Hollister had two hits and a base on balls to lead the Sharks.
"Riverview is just a good team," Chamberlain coach Bob Diez said. "We didn't make but one error, but you can't make any errors and win against a team like Riverview."