Transition working for Paone

SAINT LEO - No matter what position you played, if you came to former Saint Leo baseball coach Ed Stabile would check out your pitching arm.

As a freshman, Eric Paone told Stabile he played third base because that was where he figured he could earn a spot.

Not so fast, figured the coach who resigned before this season. Stabile knew Paone also was a starting pitcher at Barnstable High in Hyannis, Mass. So Paone was moved to the mound.

Paone, a senior who struggled as a middle reliever in his first season with the Lions, became the ace as a sophomore and will leave Saint Leo ranked in the top three in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched.

"He became our ace that year," Stabile said of Saint Leo's playoff run in 2001, Paone's sophomore season. "He just kept getting better and better."

Paone won four Sunshine State Conference games in the second half of that season to solidify his role and lead the Lions into the Southern Region tournament.

Now, Paone is among the best pitchers ever at a school that lists former major leaguers Bob Tewksbury and Jim Corsi.

The right-hander has tossed 338.1 innings, second all-time to Dave Garcia's 358.

Garcia (Class of 1996) also owns school records for wins (27) and strikeouts (301). Paone has 22 wins and 259 strikeouts. His win total is tied for second with Ray Korn ('69) and he is third in strikeouts. Patrick Bowen ('99) is second with 266.

BACK TO STATES: The Pasco-Hernando Community College softball team plays in its sixth state tournament in seven seasons. The Florida Community College Activities Association series begins Thursday at the Osceola County Complex in Kissimmee.

The Conquistadors (26-19-1) are among four Suncoast Conference teams in the double-elimination tourney that concludes Saturday. PHCC finished second in the conference at 9-7, behind Manatee (11-5).

In all, 16 teams will vie for Gulf and Atlantic district championships. Each district winner advances to the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament, set for May 14-17 in Clermont.

ALL-SUNCOAST: PHCC placed three players on the all-conference first team: pitcher Kelly Powe, outfielder Ashley Black and infielder Heather Congdon. Outfielder Courtney Kline (Ridgewood) and infielders Brandy Krieg (Ridgewood) and Jessica Barbosa were named to the second team.

Nine PHCC baseball players made all-conference.

Shortstop Lee Cruz (Pasco), outfielder Orlando Rosales (Pasco), second baseman Dave Hancox (Ridgewood) and pitcher Shawn Barrett were named to the first team. Second-teamers are third baseman Victor Roldan (Land O'Lakes), catcher Charlie Myers, first baseman Matt Reed and outfielder Robert Yero. Pitcher Ronnie Lowe (Ridgewood) made honorable mention.

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