CLASS A: Hollywood Christian ends team's title dreams once again.
By EMILY NIPPS
Published May 16, 2003
TAMPA - When Cambridge (which was named Seminole Presbyterian at the time) faced Hollywood Christian in the state semifinals in 2000, the Lancers couldn't recover from a 12-run hole. But this, a two-run deficit, seemed like nothing Thursday when the teams met again. "I would have never thought we couldn't score two runs," Cambridge coach Raymond Tapia said.
After beating the Lancers 2-0 at the Ed Radice Sports Complex, Hollywood Christian (27-3) walked off the field like it was just another day at the office. There was no great celebration, at least not in front of anyone, because the Eagles expected nothing less than a spot in the state final.
"We're in it to win it," Eagles first baseman Melissa Giesler said. "That's what we want."
Giesler played a key part in an eventful third inning as the Eagles scored two runs on three hits and two errors. Katie Ottens reached on a single and advanced to second on an infield error. She scored on Kayla Guy's single and an outfield error.
Giesler added to the Lancers' troubles with a double that scored Guy before Brittany Rhodes grounded out to first.
"We had to score first," Hollywood Christian coach Mark Montimurro said. "We're a team that plays well in the lead. I really thought we should have scored more."
The Lancers' (21-7) biggest chance to make a move was in the fourth, when centerfielder Jessica Martinieri whacked a first-pitch double and Kim Rolley walked. But with two outs, the pressure mounted on freshman second baseman Kayla Adams, who struck out just after the baserunners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch.
Adams faced the same tough-luck situation in the sixth and struck out with Martinieri and Kendra Hurless on second and third. "It's kind of a shame we lost to them again," Rolley said. "But at least we did better."
