Chiefs focus on eight more wins
By TERRY JONES, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 27, 2003
BRANDON - Beginning with her freshman season, Missy Zick has been a key player in Chamberlain's success and her senior season is no different.
Zick started in the outfield that first year and hit better than .400. Chiefs coach Bob Diez moved her to first base as a sophomore and junior, where she maintained her .400-plus average.
To tighten up the left side, Diez moved Zick to third base this season and she is second in Hillsborough County in hitting with an average of .491. Her career average at Chamberlain is .440 and she has 130 career RBIs.
Even though Zick has a full scholarship to Florida, her college future would have been guaranteed without sports. With her honors classes, she carries a 5.12 GPA.
"We have had some great players at Chamberlain, but I don't think any have been better than Missy," Diez said. "Her teammates and our coaches have always been able to count on her to be there for the team. If we have a good postseason run this year, you can bet Missy will be a big contributor to all our success."
Because of its weak regular-season schedule, Chamberlain has not been pressed much to battle for a desperate rally or make some big defensive plays to save games, so when faced with tough competition against teams such as Plant, Riverview and Miami schools, Diez used everything he could to test his players.
Because of the 10-run mercy rule, 12 of the Chiefs' games went five innings.
The Chiefs closed out their regular season at 21-5 with a win over Plant and enter the Class 5A, District 8 tournament Monday as the top seed.
District competitors include Alonso, Hillsborough, King, Leto, Middleton and Wharton.
Senior right-hander Amanda Cody is the Chiefs' ace. She has strong help on the mound with sophomore Toni Anderson and freshman Kelly Confer.
As a unit, the trio has an ERA of 0.77 with 224 strikeouts.
Cody has missed the past couple of weeks with an injured back, but is expected to return for the state run. She has an ERA of 0.89 with 98 strikeouts.
Confer is 8-3 with an ERA of 0.79 and Anderson is 6-0 with a 0.65.
"Amanda will carry the load for us, but Toni really stepped up for us last year and Kelly is doing the same this year," Diez said. "We have good pitching and our defense is as solid as it has ever been. Right now our hitting is not too bad either, so I would say our balance is coming around at just about the right time."
The Chiefs' fielding percentage is .990 and as a team they are hitting .347.
Starting with sophomore shortstop Ashley Arcuri's .398 average, the infielders are hitting .300 or better. Sophomore first baseman Jo Jo Medina hits .365 and junior second baseman Brandyce Trowell, a three-year starter, hits .360.
Junior centerfielder Carly Griffin (.320), leftfielder Natalie Ippolito (.312) and rightfielder Katie O'Neil (.300) can swing the bat as well.
Senior Eliza Anderson is steady at catcher and hits .280.
"My team is playing very consistent ball right now and I think they are ready to peak at the right time," Diez said. "If they win eight more games this year, they will win the state championship. They have as much talent as any team I have coached, so I asked them for a commitment to win eight more games. Of course, we will have to take them one at a time."
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