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SPC is ready for time off before state

The St.Petersburg College softball team has played 62 games since the season started Feb.7, so it's no wonder coach Lance Lamport is welcoming a three-week break.

After sweeping a Thursday doubleheader from Pasco-

That guarantees a spot in the junior college state tournament, which begins May 6 at the Osceola County complex in Kissimmee. SPC will play the Panhandle Conference's third seed, which has yet to be determined.

What is determined is that the Titans will get a much-needed rest.

"We won't even pick up a softball for an entire week," Lamport said. "We're beat up, just physically tired right now.

"We've played a lot of ball games since February, so the girls need some time to take their minds off softball," he said.

The Titans never have won a state softball title, but this team may have a chance. St.Petersburg finished behind Manatee CC in the regular-season standings, but there are plenty of talented players on the roster.

Softball starts with pitching, and the Titans have two good starters.

Sophomore Jean Smith, from Tampa Robinson High School, is 20-5 and a first-team all-conference selection. Sophomore Dana Vantrease, from Tampa Blake High, is 15-7 and a first-team pick.

They are joined by five others on the league's top squad - first baseman Star Jones, second baseman May Alves, centerfielder Verniece Graham, catcher Dana Hafner and designated player Laura Atun.

As is the plan every season, Lamport schedules to play in tournaments throughout Florida. That allows him to see most of the competition before state.

This season, St.Petersburg won the UCF Triple A tourney in St.Augustine, the Hillsbourgh CC tournament and the Gold Division of its own tourney.

"It's been an exciting year," Lamport said. "We won some big tournaments. There's some tough teams out there, but I think we can play well against them."

ANOTHER NEW COACH: Two weeks after hiring a men's soccer coach, Eckerd College athletic director Bob Fortosis filled his final vacancy by bringing aboard Courtney Dipert for volleyball.

Dipert, 25, takes over for A.J. Joseph, who was 17-15 last season but only 4-10 in the Sunshine State Conference.

Dipert was a Florida State volleyball player from 1996-99 before pursuing a coaching career. She was an assistant at FSU and Duke University before becoming head coach at Jacksonville last year.

The Dolphins were 15-14 and finished third in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

EVENTS POSTPONED: Eckerd has postponed all softball and baseball games scheduled through to

Akintola, 21, died suddenly April 9 while playing a pick-up game in McArthur Gymnasium.

The baseball team postponed an April 10 doubleheader at Saint Leo and three games against Tampa this weekend.

The softball squad postponed home dates with Saint Leo this weekend.

A memorial service was held at the gym Saturday. Funeral arrangements are being made by the family.

"This is obviously a tough time on our campus," Fortosis said. "Peter was a very smart, very humorous person. If you met him, you would like him."

Akintola was the second Sunshine State Conference basketball player to die suddenly. Saint Leo's Elaine Evans died Feb.2 when she collapsed in her dorm room and went into a seizure.

SPC BASEBALL: Only four games remain in the regular season for the Titans, and each one has meaning.

Prior to Friday and Saturday against Polk CC, St.Petersburg was 12-5 in the Suncoast Conference, tied with Manatee CC for first and just two games ahead of Polk.

Games remain Monday and Wednesday against Manatee CC and Friday and Saturday with Pasco-Hernando CC.

The top two conference teams advance to the state tournament. The Titans have qualified the past six years.

"It's crunch time," coach Dave Pano said. "It comes down to this. We have to play well to get in, and this is a very tough conference."

SPC (28-11) has the state's best earned-run average (2.73). The offense has been less powerful than in the past, but Pano thinks his team has done well.

"We've had to shuffle a lot of people around," he said. "We don't have the depth that we used to have. But I'm proud of the way our guys have played."

SSC GOLF TOURNEY: The Tritons finished seventh among eight teams in the league tournament, played Sunday-Tuesday at Miami's Doral Country Club.

Lynn University won the title.

Eckerd's Danny Allen tied for 11th with a three-round 231, 15-over-par. Ryan Stewart was the next highest Eckerd finisher (232).

Lynn's Keir McNicoll captured the individual crown with an even-par 216.