When it was time to build his softball program from scratch, Carols Falla went to an area he knew was deep with talent - Tampa Bay.
Falla, coach of the new program at South Florida Community College, signed several players from the area to fill his inaugural roster, including Tarpon Springs' Courtney Wallace and Clearwater's Megan Monnier.
"Some of the best softball comes out of this area," Falla said.
Monnier, a catcher for the Tornadoes, and Wallace, shortstop for the Spongers, snagged two of 18 scholarships at SFCC, which is located just south of Avon Park.
"I think it's cool," said Monnier about going to a new program. "You can set your own records there. You can make a team there."
Falla, former coach at Weber International, already had connections with the many travel teams in the area, which made recruiting easy, he said. He also pulled a couple of players from the other side of the bay.
Wallace, who met Falla during the summer, said she is excited about being part of SFCC's beginning.
"I kind of like that it's starting from scratch," Wallace said. "There won't be older players to intimidate me."
Since SFCC's season doesn't start until January 2005 and training doesn't begin until this fall, Falla spends his free time keeping up with his signees.
With many playing at area high schools, it is convenient for him to keep up with players. He was able to watch Wallace play against future teammate Shauna Kortas of Ridgewood in a game last month.
TOUGH WEEK FOR EAST LAKE: Eagles ace Ally May sprained her finger and missed two games last week, including a big matchup against Seminole.
East Lake has a hard week ahead with games against district foe Palm Harbor U. today, county rival Tarpon Springs on Wednesday and Clearwater, which has beaten the Eagles once, on Thursday.
Coach Brian Riley said he hopes to have May back on the mound pitching today. If not, Amanda O'Dell will get the start.
O'Dell recovered from knee surgery in time for the season and has looked good with a 3-1 record.
TWO IS A CHARM: Countryside's Bree Spence's winning two-run homer against Palm Harbor U. last week wasn't her first home run on the season. Spence hit a first-inning, two-run homer to help the Cougars to a 4-1 win against Seminole in March.
