Kallan Casey's two-run homer caps a five-run second, and Bree Spence doesn't allow a run as Countryside stops Fort Myers 6-0.
By LAURA LEE
Published May 12, 2004
FORT MYERS - Countryside's outfielders studied the wall at Fort Myers. It was green, tall and intimidating.
Centerfielder Kallan Casey said it made them nervous.
They never found out how the ball would rebound from the green barrier, but Casey got the closest to testing it. She hit a two-run home run over it in the third inning, capping a five-run, two-out rally that led the Cougars past the Green Wave 6-0 in the Class 5A, Region 3 semifinal.
Countryside (26-2) got things started in the third when Allison Kidman singled to leftfield and stole second base with GiOnna DiSalvatore was at the plate. DiSalvatore doubled to left, scoring Kidman. Nikki Delandy had a single to left.
Bree Spence smacked a hard dink down the third baseline. The ball hit Fort Myers third baseman's glove and rolled off the field, allowing DiSalvatore and Delandy to score. Substitute runner Emilee Venable took over at second for Spence, and Casey, the No.6 batter who has been in a slump, sent a 1-2 pitch out of the park. The Cougars were up 5-0.
"It was a perfect pitch right down the middle, and I teed off on it," Casey said about her homer, which landed in the creek behind the wall. "It felt awesome, especially after being 0-for a whole bunch. It was that one hit that I needed to get back."
Playing in its first region semifinal, Fort Myers (25-4) started strong. Pitcher Melody Popravak (20-4), who signed with Boston University, struck out her first three batters. The Green Wave, which stranded nine runners, loaded the bases with one out in the fourth, but Countryside held it off.
"The girls were loose and ready," Fort Myers coach Nick Powell said. "We just ran into one of the elite programs in the state of Florida."
The Cougars made it 6-0 in the fifth on Spence's run-scoring single.
Countryside will play district and county rival Palm Harbor U. for a fourth time this season in the region final Friday. The Cougars lead the series 2-1.
"I'm excited to play them," said Spence (20-2), who looked sharper than she had in her past few starts. "Last game was not good, and I'm looking forward to it. It gives me something to push for; to try harder."
