The Panthers lost a lot of experience from the team that qualified for the state playoffs last season.
By TERRY JONES
Published February 23, 2004
Last season, Plant went 25-6 but lost to Miami Palmetto in a Class 5A region semifinal. That team, had several good seniors.
As a result, the Panthers field a much younger team this season with more than twice as many underclassmen as upperclassmen. Plant's rosters comprises nine freshmen, seven sophomores, four juniors and two seniors.
"We have some young players this season, but all play travel ball all year around and must acclimate themselves to our system," second-year Plant coach Sallie Scudder said.
"They are young but tough and will have to play some very good teams in Class 5A to even get out of districts. It should be a fun season in this county for softball fans."
Megan Menard was the ace pitcher for the Panthers last year before her sophomore season was cut short by knee surgery.
Before the surgery, she went 7-1 with a 0.85 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 58 innings, and Scudder said Menard is healthy entering this season.
Pitcher Kelly Betts also is back. As a sophomore last season, she went 7-2 with a 0.62 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 68 innings. She also hit .333 with 11 RBIs.
Scudder said she also has some freshmen who could see time on the mound.
All-county shortstop Lauren Rodriguez returns for her sophomore season. Last season, she hit .382 with 21 RBIs, 23 runs and 14 stolen bases.
Three other sophomores who will play a lot are Chrissy Clingan at third, Lauren Castellvi at second and Katie Grimes at catcher. Last year, Clingan hit .277 with 20 runs while Castellvi hit .283 with 10 RBIs.
One of the two seniors back is infielder Erin Curtis-Boggs, who has signed with Southern Miss. Last year, she had a .425 on-base percentage despite a .224 batting average and scored 17 runs with 11 RBIs.
Scudder said she is well aware of the need for unity, and she believes her players have the heart and desire to have a solid season.
"The key to how far we go will be how well they come together as a team and how long that will take," Scudder said. "With only two seniors, leadership is an issue. We do have some great players.
"I have a lot of confidence in them, and as soon as they develop confidence in each other, we will be competitive."
Plant likely won't be the county's only tough team.
Bloomingdale had no seniors last season but went 22-8 and made the state playoffs (losing in the region quarterfinals). It is back strong and led by Allison Kime. Last season as a junior, the second-team all-Suncoast pitcher went 12-3 with a 0.35 ERA and 164 strikeouts.
Chamberlain, the defending 5A state champion, lost first-team all-county stars Amanda Cody, Melissa Zick and Natalie Ippolito but still has Carly Griffin, who hit .333 with 22 RBIs, 24 triples and four home runs.
And Academy of the Holy Names has Jennifer Jacobs, who made the all-county first team as a utility player, back on the mound. She had a 1.31 ERA and struck out 159 while hitting .434 with 12 RBIs.
