NEW PORT RICHEY - Saint Leo rightfielder Mike Stepp, a former Zephyrhills standout, was the only Lion named to the Division II All-South Region team, selected by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Stepp, named to the second team, completed his first season with the Lions after two at Hillsborough Community College.
The junior, who also pitched in relief, led Saint Leo in five categories: a .363 average, 70 hits, 10 home runs, 109 total bases and three saves. Stepp also had 41 RBIs, 42 runs, a .969 fielding percentage and 1-2 pitching record.
Stepp, who played first base and pitched at Zephyrhills and HCC, moved to right because junior Julian Davis is entrenched at first base.
"He hits, so I had to find a spot for him," Saint Leo coach Ricky Ware said.
Ware plans to use Stepp as a pitcher-designated hitter next season.
"We've already talked about it," Ware said. "(Stepp) loves to hit and he loves to pitch."
Stepp also was a second-team selection on the Academic All-District team, picked by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Stepp, a history major, carried a 3.42 grade point average.
THREE THIRDS: The Sandspurs, a volleyball club organized by Pasco-Hernando Community College coach Sam Cibrone and consisting of players from Pasco and Hillsborough counties, finished third in three age groups in a regional competition.
The Sandspurs' 18s, 17s and 16s played in the USA Volleyball Florida regions May 3-4 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
"We're pretty exited," Cibrone said. "Our teams from Pasco and Hillsborough were represented well."
Eight players from Pasco County high schools were on those teams. They were: 18s - Tara Marinelli (Hudson), Dawn Conner (River Ridge) and Jean-Marie Kitner (Ridgewood); 17s - Crystal Dennis (River Ridge); 16s - Kari Wiedinger (Mitchell), Trish Thomas (River Ridge) and Brittany Castelamare (River Ridge).
MOVING UP: PHCC basketball player Chris Jackson (Lecanto) signed with Columbus (Ga.) State.
The 6-foot-7, 240-pound post player is among seven recently signing scholarships with the Cougars, who went 27-5 and won the Peach Belt Conference last season.
Jackson averaged nine points and eight rebounds in his only season at PHCC. He was named to the North-South Junior College All-Stars.
