Mustangs top rival

Mitchell gets behind early, then rallies to beat Land O'Lakes 11-4.

By STEVE LEE
Published March 9, 2005

LAND O'LAKES - Mitchell coach Scott Bisbe repeated one of 2004's most humorous quotes from the major leagues after Tuesday's 11-4 win over Class 5A, District 5 rival Land O'Lakes.

"I told the girls it's payback time," Bisbe said, alluding to two previous losses to the Gators, including last year's district semifinal. "I came out (on the right field grass after the game) and said, "They're not our daddy anymore.' "

While the Mitchell-Land O'Lakes series will never be confused with one of the greatest rivalries in sports, that quote from former Boston Red Sox (and current Mets) pitcher Pedro Martinez for his inability to beat the New York Yankees in crucial games left the Mustangs laughing.

But there was nothing funny about Mitchell's 2-0 deficit through five innings on Tuesday. The Mustangs (8-0) had just two hits before erupting for nine runs on nine hits, a walk and an error in the top of the sixth.

Alicia Neelen's two-run, bases-loaded single up the middle gave the Mustangs a 4-2 lead. Courtney Stager had two RBI singles in that inning with Layne Spencer, Carly Mitchell and Amanda Graham each adding run-scoring hits.

Three runs scored on Stager's second single, two of which raced home on centerfielder Sam Cronk's fielding error. But Cronk ran back to the fence for the ball and it was relayed home in time for catcher Kim Hensley to tag out Stager at the plate.

"We can hit the ball," Bisbe said. "I was getting a little worried, because we waited until the sixth inning before we started hitting it."

Land O'Lakes (4-3) took a 2-0 lead in its first at-bat. Jessica Tejas was safe when first baseman Spencer bobbled a throw on a two-out grounder and Hensley and Ashley Rigau followed with back-to-back doubles.

The Gators scored in the sixth when Rigau dashed home from third base on an infield out and added another in the seventh on Rigau's single that plated Alexis Aubuchon.

Winning pitcher Carly Mitchell improved to 6-0; Land O'Lakes starter Rhiannon Bogaert, the winning pitcher in last year's district semifinal, fell to 4-3.

[Last modified March 9, 2005, 00:55:19]