Preps

6A-5 teams don't lose very often

Venice, the state's top-ranked Class 6A team, is scheduled to play at Bloomingdale at 7 p.m. tonight.

Mike Clamon, Bloomingdale's coach, said he believes 6A-5 is the toughest district in Florida, and he might be correct.

In the six-team district, which also includes Sarasota Riverview, Tampa Riverview, Sarasota and Gaither, four are ranked in the state poll.

Behind Venice, Riverview is No. 3, Bloomingdale No. 8 and Sarasota Riverview No. 9. The teams have played each other at least once, and all of their losses have come from within the district.

"Except for Gaither, the teams in our district only lose to each other, and Gaither beat Sarasota Riverview," Clamon said. "We are still very young and keep having mental breakdowns. Once we get consistent, we will be a very good team."

The Sharks, Bloomingdale and Sarasota have three losses. Sarasota Riverview has two and Venice one.

In its first loss to Venice, 9-0, Bulls ace Allison Kime did not pitch. The junior right-hander is 7-1 and scheduled to pitch tonight.

The Sharks will host the district tournament. In most district tournaments, there usually is an easier side of the bracket.

Clamon said there is no safe place in 6A-5.

"I don't know of a soft side," he said. "Tampa Riverview has Beth DiPietro on one side, and Venice probably has the best hitting team I have ever seen on the other. Everybody in the Venice lineup hits; from top to bottom.

"It is really a shame that so many good teams are all in the same district and only two will make it into the regional playoffs. That means some great teams will stay home."

SHORT-HANDED: When Sallie Scudder left Berkeley Prep to coach Plant, longtime travel coach Ray Carver took over.

Berkeley left for spring break earlier this week and won't return to class until March 31, but Carver said he has games on tap for next week for the rebuilding team.

March 28-29, they play in the Spring Fling tournament at Handley Park in Brandon.

"We have 12 girls in uniform at this time, and we are trying to restructure the team," Carver said. "Right now, we are moving people around to determine the best spot for each player and the team.

"Although some of the kids are starting to stand out, I don't want to single out anyone in particular until later on. They are coming together though, and I am pleased with where they are even with only 12 players."

Berkeley entered the break 5-5 and winners of two in a row.

"This is going to be a tough little group before the end of the season," Carver said.

SISTER AGAINST SISTER: Although the Urbanik family lives in the East Bay district, last year, Ashley, the younger sister of Danielle, chose to play for Tampa Bay Tech rather than with her sister at East Bay.

Ashley, 16, is a sophomore pitcher and attends TBT for the school's medical program. Danielle, 18, is a senior and four-year starter for the Indians. She already has signed with South Florida.

Wednesday, the sisters squared off on the mound, and East Bay won 9-2.

"They didn't seem to be nervous," their dad, Jim, said. "But I was."

"The game was for home bragging rights, but I was proud of Ashley," Daniel said. "She did a good job."

Both started playing softball more than eight years ago in the East Bay Little League program.

After the high school season, they will play on the same team. Both are pitchers for the Tampa Mustangs under-19 travel club.

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