One last softball showdown

By Times Staff Writer
Published May 13, 2005

Palm Harbor University vs. Countryside has been one of the most heated softball rivalries in the Tampa Bay area in recent years.

Unfortunately for both squads, they happen to be in the same county and district.

Pitching has been the name of the game over the years. USF star Bree Spence was Countryside's ace for three years. LSU-bound Dani Hofer has taken over the ranks as top gun in town and perhaps in the state.

Palm Harbor U. is 5-0 in its past five meetings with the Cougars, but this is still the best rivalry around. The 'Canes (28-0) host the Cougars (18-11) today at 4 p.m. in a Class 5A region final, but first, check out the history between these squads:

2001

Present-day ace Dani Hofer is still in middle school.

Countryside freshman Bree Spence is a backup for the Cougars.

Countryside dominates District 10, going 29-0 before the playoffs.

PHU does the same in District 9, heading to the playoffs with a 26-4 record.

Both squads fall in region semifinals.

2002

Hofer is a freshman at PHU.

Spence emerges as the county's top pitcher.

Countryside goes 31-1 to claim the state title and mythical national championship.

PHU finishes 22-6 and is ousted in the region semifinals by Naples.

2003

PHU has the better record, but Countryside emerges as the District 9 champ.

The Cougars breeze through the playoffs before running into eventual state runnerup Naples in the region finals.

Naples takes care of PHU in the previous round.

In the fall, Spence announces she has rejected Alabama, Arkansas and North Carolina to attend USF.

2004

The rivalry is better than ever. The squads split four meetings. Countryside won the first two, while PHU took the second half, including the district title.

The squads finally meet deep in the playoffs. The Hurricanes advance to the final four with a 2-0 victory.

Hofer officially is a star. She announces plans to sign with LSU.

2005

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Cougars. But veteran hitting and young pitching guide Countryside to a region final matchup with PHU.

Palm Harbor U. dominates the first three matchups of the season. The Hurricanes outscore the Cougars 11-0.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DANI HOFER, SR., P, PHU: Hofer is 21-0 with 337 strikeouts. She has allowed two earned runs this season.

TARA TOSCANO, JR., SS, PHU: Smooth fielder who is hitting above .500 this season.

ALLISON KIDMAN, SR., CF, CS: Hitting .537 overall and is 6-for-8 in the playoffs. Headed to play at Michigan.

GIONNA DISALVATORE, SO., SS, CS: Hitting .500 this season. Not much gets by DiSalvatore at short.

HOFER VS. COUNTRYSIDE:

BY THE NUMBERS FOR '05 3 - Wins

21 - Innings pitched

4 - Hits allowed

69 - Batters faced

50 - Strikeouts

0 - Walks

.444 - Batting average

QUOTABLE

"This year you aren't sure what to expect with the young kids. We know what everyone else thinks. PHU has Dani and people think Countryside has already lost before the start of the game. We have five batters that have hit off her; we just have to put it together on the same day. They aren't afraid of losing." - Kaylyn Bayly, Countryside coach

- Compiled by Times staff writer Meyla Hooker

[Last modified May 13, 2005, 00:57:16]