Clearwater, which is close to doubling last season's win total, has three pairs of siblings.
By LAURA LEE
Published April 1, 2004
CLEARWATER - Kristina Ortega couldn't remember the last time she had seen her sister, Samantha, play softball.
Seemed like every time Samantha had a game, she was playing, too. Kristina finally got a chance to watch her little sister in all of her games for Clearwater. For the first time, she's playing right alongside her.
"I'm really impressed," Kristina Ortega said. "She's an awesome player."
Not that she's biased or anything.
Family ties always have been strong at Clearwater, but this season, it has taken it to another level.
The Tornadoes started the year with four pairs of sisters, but because of an injury, one half of a pair is out. The remaining three pairs (six sisters) are in Clearwater's starting lineup.
Coach Jerry Lightner, who raised two daughters of his own, said he is amazed at how well they all get along. If there's a fight or an argument at home, none of them carry it over to the field.
"I could see where it could affect the team in a negative way, but in this situation, they're just six great kids," Lightner said. "They have fun with each other."
In fact, the Tornadoes are doing better than last year. Clearwater (9-8) likely will double last season's six-win total. Aside from dropping three games in an early-season tournament, the team's losses have been to teams no one else few have been able to beat: Countryside, Palm Harbor U. and Seminole. And Lightner said he's hoping to finish the regular season strong.
The sibling strength might take away from the Tornadoes' crowd size, but for the sisters, it's an added bonus.
This is the Fullers' second year playing together as Tornadoes. Their first season had its moments. Joy, now a sophomore, was pitching to Faith, now a senior, who was catching.
"She didn't know how to talk to me and work out my pitches," Joy said.
"I'd get loud and yell, and she rolled her eyes at me," Faith said.
"We work well together just as long as she's not catching," said Joy, who has 5 inches on her big sister.
This year, there's no friction. With the return of Tornadoes' starting catcher, senior Megan Monnier, who was hurt last season, Joy has a different target and Faith is happy playing second base.
The Hacketts are in their first of potentially three seasons together at Clearwater. Erin, a sophomore, and Allison, a freshman, are used to sharing. They share a room, phone line, friends and, if Erin can sneak out a shirt without Allison noticing, clothes. They've been playing softball together for about four years.
"We're not known individually anymore," said Allison, who plays in the outfield. "We're a unit, the Hackett sisters."
Erin, who plays third base and pitches, can get a little worked up on the field. But Allison, who also has a few inches on her big sister, always is there to tell her to simmer down.
This season is a special one for the Ortegas. Kristina, a senior, convinced Samantha, a freshman, to come out for the team because she knew it would be the only time they would get to suit up for the same team. It has become a bonding moment for them.
The Ortegas spend most of their time together. Both play in the outfield. They throw together and stretch together during warmups.
"We're even closer than we were before," Samantha Ortega said.
