Preps

Errors are the difference

NEW PORT RICHEY -- The county's top pitchers matched each other with two-hitters, but River Ridge capitalized on two errors for an unearned run in the first inning of Friday's 1-0 win over host Ridgewood.

River Ridge's Kiki Von Holt (13-3) struck out four and walked one.

Ridgewood's Breanne Hill (12-4) fanned eight and hit a batter.

"She did everything she could to win," Rams coach Greg Bollinger said of Hill. "There's a small difference between (Ridgewood and River Ridge)."

Added River Ridge coach Ernie Beck: "I think Breanne definitely had her stuff tonight. I'm glad we scored early on her.

"Kiki keeps pitching and gets a lot of outs. It was an excellent matchup and you might see it again."

Maybe, if the teams meet for a third time in the Class 4A, District 8 tournament.

With Friday's win, three-time Sunshine Athletic Conference champion River Ridge (20-3, 10-2 in 4A-8) clinched the top seed for the district tournament, which begins April 28 at Ridgewood. The Rams (14-4, 8-4) are battling Tarpon Springs for the second seed.

Stephanie Seaman led off the game by reaching on Missy Noriega's error in leftfield. With one out, Seaman scored on first baseman Jenna Lowe's fielding error.

"We made two errors and they made one, and we made ours in the same inning," Bollinger said.

Ridgewood threatened in the bottom of the sixth, but could not score with two runners on and no outs.

Lizzie Kirby led off with a single and Marisa Deak drew a walk. Both advanced on Noriega's sacrifice bunt, but Tera McCleary and Krysti DiMartino grounded out.

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