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LAURA LEEThe ace strikes out 22 and hits the winning double in the 11th to defeat Countryside 4-1.
CLEARWATER - Dani Hofer spent most of her time trying to keep a lid on things.
The Palm Harbor University ace did her job well, striking out 22. But that wasn't enough to beat Countryside in the Class 5A, District 9 final Thursday.
Hofer had to blow the top off the game as well.
Hofer's double scored two in the top of the 11th inning, giving the Hurricanes the lead. PHU scored two more to beat the Cougars 4-1 at the Eddie Moore Complex.
With Tara Toscano and Kristina Hilbreth reaching base off singles, Hofer came to the plate with one out. She hit deep to centerfield, and Countryside tried to stop the runners from scoring. The throw was on time but too much, and it got past catcher Aylssa Allbritten. The ball rolled to the fence, opening home plate for both runners to score easily. The double put the Hurricanes up 2-0.
"I was thinking to move her over to third base," Hofer said about her at-bat. "I just wanted one run so bad."
Bryce Crouch and Stephanie Lozaalso had run-scoring singles for the Hurricanes (23-3).
"It's great for us all to be coming together at this time of the season," Hofer said.
Both coaches thought it could have ended before the three-hour mark and 11 innings, but the hits didn't come when both teams had players in scoring position.
Cougar ace Bree Spence (18-2) did her part in containing the Hurricanes for 10 innings.
PHU was on base in all but two innings and tried some aggressive base running, which Countryside was able to shut down with defense.
The Hurricanes also put on pressure with its speed. Toscano got on base a few times on infield singles by beating the throw to first.
Adding to the stress of playing a rival in the postseason, there was tension because of questionable calls from the officials. Both coaches had words with the umpires, challenging situations that placed or advanced players on base.
"It was pretty tense the whole time but you know in this game, anytime you get a run you think you're going to win," Countryside coach Kaylyn Bayly said.
After giving up four runs, Countryside didn't roll over. The Cougars (24-2) started at the top of their lineup. Countryside's first two batters were quickly retired by Hofer, but after fending off about 10 pitches, Gionna DiSalvatore singled to left and Nikki Delandy came through with an RBI double. But Hofer ened it, striking out Spence.
"We had every opportunity to win this game," Bayly said. "We just didn't get the timely hits and I think Bree pitched well enough for us to win this game.
"The important thing for us is that we'll have another chance."
Much like last year, the team that swept the regular season series lost in the district final. This time, the Hurricanes took back the district title from the Cougars. PHU also will host the region quarterfinal game next week against the loser of today's Seminole-Boca Ciega game. Countryside plays the winner.