Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Rain just adds to loss

TAMPA - Rain. A muddy field. Two lightning delays.

St. Petersburg Catholic and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney endured all three in Tuesday's district semifinal at Robinson. But in the second inning, the rain was more intense. Barons coach Tom Fabian said that played a major role as St. Petersburg Catholic lost 5-2.

The second game between Academy of the Holy Names and Robinson was suspended in the bottom of the first inning because of unsafe playing conditions. The game was rescheduled for tonight at 7 with the Jaguars holding a 1-0 lead.

In Game 1, St. Petersburg Catholic (12-14) took a 2-0 first-inning lead on Krysta Hall's two-run single before the conditions affected the Barons. Losing pitcher Deanna Henriott yielded five unearned runs as three walks to the Nos. 7-9 hitters, two infield errors and a two-run double by Courtney Owens did the damage.

"(In the second), the rain was really coming down and we had to field and throw a very wet ball," Fabian said. "It's unfortunate we had to deal with a muddy ball, but that's how it went."

Henriott (9-11) allowed only two hits, none after Owens' double. She struck out 11 and walked five. "She's pitched well all year," Fabian said.

The rain had subsided in the second game when play was suspended. The contest was halted when courtesy runner Jessica Oshea nearly fell as she scored. The play started when Kristina Cruz singled with runners on first and second. Brittany Villa was tagged out at third as Oshea scored.

"(Home plate umpire Johnny Worlds) told us at the plate meeting that if he felt there was anything unsafe, he was going to call the game," AHN coach Alan Peacock said. "It wasn't a surprise to see it happen."

LAKELAND - McKeel Academy and Lakeland Christian barely beat the rains in advancing to the district finals.

McKeel defeated Berkeley Prep 13-0 behind a five-inning perfect game from Jenn Wright. Lakeland Christian defeated Fort Meade 8-2.

The Lakeland Christian game, an afternoon affair, started at 4 p.m. and had three rain and lightning delays. McKeel needed the 10-run rule to get an early finish before the rains came again.

McKeel (24-1) scored nine runs in the first two innings and coasted. Ashley Hunt's two-run double highlighted a five-run burst in the first. Cass Faircloth and Jessica Jacobs each drove in two runs in the second.

Wright, who has pitched in every game for McKeel, has 263 strikeouts for the season.

- THE LEDGER

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

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

Tampa Prep was leading 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.

- ROVEN YAU, Times staff writer