With a potent lineup and stingy pitchers, improving Mitchell seeks a berth in the state tournament.
By STEVE LEE
Published March 5, 2004
TRINITY - Fourth-year Mitchell has steadily improved, capped by last season's first playoff win.
Next up: the state tournament.
One more victory last season would have led to a rematch against district rival River Ridge in a region final. But a 2-1 semifinal loss to Palatka in 14 innings foiled those plans.
Meanwhile, River Ridge advanced to its second consecutive state title game (both times losing to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas). Nonetheless, the Mustangs' 19 wins, region quarterfinal victory (5-4 against Springstead) and half dozen returning starters are cause for optimism.
"We just keep getting better every year," Mitchell coach Scott Bisbe said. "I'm excited about this year, because I don't think there's going to be a weak link in our lineup."
Last season, Mitchell's high-powered offense scored 157 runs in 30 games (5.2 per game). Four .300 hitters - Alicia Neelen (.361), Trish Blankenship (.354), Cassie Markham (.343), Carly Mitchell (.333) - return.
The other top returners are shortstop Michelle McDonald and second baseman Jamie Case, giving the Mustangs arguably the county's best keystone combination.
With all that experience, Bisbe managed to find room for two travel ball players - third baseman Ashley Stager and outfielder Layne Spencer - who start as freshman.
"I'm getting a lot of girls who play travel ball," Bisbe said. "They're coming up through the ranks."
The Royal Knights, led by ace Kiki Von Holt, the Times All-County Player of the Year in 2003, are not about to step aside for their west Pasco rivals just yet. But even River Ridge coach Ernie Beck feels Mitchell is on the verge of a breakout season.
Asked if the Mustangs could challenge the Royal Knights for county supremacy, Beck responded, "Absolutely. Up and coming? (Bisbe is) going to have a good ballclub. He's got a good-hitting team. They can pitch, they can field. What else is there?"
Wesley Chapel coach Tom McHugh also feels Mitchell at least has the potential to unseat River Ridge as the county's No. 1 team.
"Just based on the team they have left over, I would say, yeah," McHugh said. "Everyone that I talk to is saying Mitchell's on the upswing."
Beating River Ridge would mark another step in that direction. Mitchell hosted River Ridge Thursday, trailing in that series 6-1 including last year's 10-0 Knights win in a district final.
That game, along with a March 23 rematch at River Ridge, could preceed another key district title contest. River Ridge, Mitchell and Land O'Lakes compete in Class 5A, District 5 with two playoff spots up for grabs.
"It'd be nice," Bisbe said of a district title win. "But Ernie's still got Kiki over there. He's still going to have a good team on the field."
So too is Bisbe with Blankenship leading the way in the early going. She pitched the team to three wins and smacked two home runs in a 5-0 start. That extended a power surge that began with two Blankenship homers in last year's postseason.
"She's not trying to hit it out of the park all the time," Bisbe said. "She's just trying to hit line drives."
Carly Mitchell, who pitched all 14 innings of last year's semifinal loss to Palatka, has the Mustangs' other two wins on the mound.
"A lot of teams have that one good pitcher, then a No. 2," Bisbe said. "I think we have the best combination."
Although Bisbe espouses the proverbial "one-game-at-a-time" approach, this season goes beyond beating River Ridge or any other team for that matter. Making the state tourney remains the ultimate goal.
"That's what we're shooting for," Bisbe said. "This is probably the first year I've felt we're able to make a bid at it."
