Pirates survive start to reach region final

Pasco defeats Mount Dora 4-2, coming back from an error-filled first with strong pitching and timely hits.

By STEVE LEE
Published May 11, 2005

DADE CITY - A tale of two seasons aptly describes the 2005 Pirates as flawless fielding highlighted eight straight wins. An ensuing comedy of errors resulted in seven losses in eight games.

So which team showed up for Tuesday's region semifinal against Mount Dora?

Actually, both.

Pasco made two errors in the first two innings and allowed two unearned runs in the first before settling down for a 4-2 win.

"We did have a rough night defensively, but we prevailed," Pasco coach Shamalane Broner said. "No matter how ugly it is, a win is a win at this point."

The Pirates (17-9) host Friday's region final against Orlando Lake Highland Prep, a 7-1 winner over Williston. Pasco beat Williston last season in a region quarterfinal before losing to Lake Highland Prep in the next round.

Pasco starter Liz Garcia (10-7) and reliever Brianne Farmer combined on a two-hitter. Garcia, who pitched four innings for her fourth postseason win, injured her right ring finger while fielding a grounder. Farmer, primarily a shortstop, pitched the last three innings for a save.

Mount Dora (13-11) got its top two hitters aboard in the first when Jennifer Bien-Aime drew a two-out walk and Sarah Brown singled. Both scored on first baseman Ashley McSwain's fielding error and Pasco trailed 2-0.

The Pirates quickly tied it with two runs in the bottom of the first. Leadoff batter Jami Pass bunted and Bien-Aime, the catcher, threw wildly to first. Pass circled the bases and scored before the ball could be relayed from rightfield.

Garcia singled to score Farmer for the second run in that inning.

Kara Nathe scored the go-ahead run after leading off the third with a single. She raced to third on McSwain's bunt and scored on Bridgette Alan's wild throw to third.

Backup catcher Chelsea Barthle, who appeared in the fifth after Garcia left, was a sparkplug in the sixth. In the top, she made a heads-up play by throwing to second base after dropping the ball when Morgan Daly struck out to nail Cecelia Daly for a double play.

Barthle led off the bottom of the inning with a double and scored on a wild pitch.

AUBURNDALE - To say Kristen LeFan had ice in her veins might be an overstatement, but the game's magnitude certainly did not affect the Auburndale pitcher.

LeFan's one-hitter paced the Bloodhounds to a 1-0 victory Tuesday over Gulf.

LeFan (9-2) pitched like a playoff veteran for her sixth shutout this season. She allowed two runners on a walk and a hit, struck out eight and retired the last 11 batters she faced.

"I don't get nervous," she said. "I knew we had to win, and I knowhow to do my job."

Auburndale (20-5) scored in the first inning when three of its first four batters had hits. Janine Richardson led off with a double and reached third on an overthrow to second. She scored on Somer Sturgis' one-out single. Amanda Farmer followed with a double to put runners on second and third.

But the Bloodhounds scored no more as shortstop Julie Wisniewski snared Kaylee West's line drive and threw to third baseman Stefanie Giannakaris to complete the double play.

- THE LEDGER

[Last modified May 11, 2005, 00:47:09]