Pitching change boosts Vikings

By CHRIS GIRANDOLA
Published April 27, 2005

PINELLAS PARK - Decisions, decisions, decisions.

They rule a coach's life.

For Boca Ciega coach Mary Drayton, the decision to change pitchers in the fifth inning of the Pirates' 4-2 loss to Northeast in the district semifinal will linger for days, if not weeks.

"It's just a call you make as a coach," Drayton said. "They were starting to hit her (Christina Hughes) and I had to make a choice of what to do."

Hughes (7-7) had held the powerful Northeast lineup to only two runs and five hits entering the fifth inning. But the sophomore pitcher gave up two quick singles when Drayton made the change, bringing in junior Morgan Hughart (8-4). Hughart was working on no days rest, having pitched the previous day in a win over St. Petersburg.

"I just told her there's no tomorrow," Drayton said. "But, Northeast had their "A' game when they needed it."

After giving up an infield single to load the bases, Hughart allowed the winning hit to Vikings shortstop Lindsay McGory. Hughart then allowed another bases-loaded hit to bring in the Vikings' fourth run.

Dani Seibert pitched a complete game to raise her record to 5-1. The county's third best pitcher in ERA (0.68) allowed a run in the second and third, and scattered nine hits, but she kept the Pirates from mounting any type of rally after the third.

In the nightcap, top seed Seminole led 5-0 in the top of the fourth inning against Pinellas Park before rain stopped the game, which likely will be made up tonight at 7.

LARGO - St. Stephen's advanced to the championship game by defeating host Indian Rocks Christian 10-0.

The Falcons rallied for four runs in the first and another four in the fifth.

Jenny Waters and Stephanie Boothby each contributed with a pair of run-scoring hits. Erin Beach's single up the middle in the fifth drove home the final run.

St. Stephen's starter Ashley Whidden (16-0) continued her stellar season by striking out 10 and no-hit Indian Rocks through five.

The Falcons will wait until this afternoon to learn who their opponent will be. Rain suspended the second semifinal between Northside Christian and Tampa Prep.

Tampa Prep led 4-0 in the third thanks to run-scoring hits from Andrea Lewis, Mallory Schreiber, Alexis Rash and Gabriela Piloseno. The game will continue today at 4:30 p.m.

- ROVEN YAU, Times staff writer

[Last modified April 27, 2005, 00:53:02]