Little League

Bloomingdale closes in on World Series

By THOMAS SIMONETTI
Published August 3, 2005

An unbelievable run this summer has the Bloomingdale major softball all-stars one win from a berth in the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Ore.

Bloomingdale rode 14 straight wins all the way to the final of the southern region tournament in Gulfport.

"They're knocking on the door right now," said Bloomingdale manager and former major-leaguer Jeff Carter. "If they can get us a win, they'll be making history for Bloomingdale Little League."

Bloomingdale has never had a major softball team make the World Series and only last year's World Series runnerup - McLean Little League of Virginia - stands in its way.

Bloomingdale meets Virginia in a rematch tonight at 6 p.m. at Arnold S. White Stadium. Part 2 of the Florida vs. Virginia saga is sure to be competitive.

Just how much separates these state champions?

One run. Bloomingdale used a sixth-inning comeback to top Virginia 3-2 in Game 2 of pool play Saturday in one of the tournament's most exciting games.

Alexa Lopez came to the plate with Bloomingdale down two runs with two outs and the bases loaded in the final frame. She hit a ball to right-centerfield just out of the reach of Virginia's rightfielder, scoring the tying and winning runs.

Carter, the acting third base coach, waived home Nicci Hopps from second and threw his hands in the air. Given his outburst of emotion, Carter may well have just one the American League pennant.

"I was pumped up," said Carter, who played professionally for seven years, including a year with the Chicago White Sox in 1991. "It didn't matter who we were playing. I was pumped up. That's the sign of a true competitor."

Florida finished 3-0 in pool play and got past North Carolina 7-0 Monday to advance to the final. Virginia finished pool play 2-1 and got through to the finals with an 8-1 win over Tennessee.

Pitching has been key for both teams. Virginia was the only team to allow fewer runs per inning (.21) than Bloomingdale (.27). Bloomingdale's starters Jennifer Owens, Tory Bohanan and Alexa Lopez have allowed just five hits in 22 innings.

Owens gets the nod today. She'll look to dominate the way she did against West Virginia in Bloomingdale's opening game, where she gave up one hit and struck out seven in six innnings.

If that happens, Bloomingdale can pack its bags for Oregon.

Northside battled the top 11-year-old baseball players in the state and the weather before falling in the final 8-0 Monday to Cape Coral in Port St. Lucie.

All but one of the five games played by Northside were delayed or relocated. Northside (Carrollwood area) won all three of its pool games and defeated Coral Springs 7-3 in the semifinals Monday afternoon. The game had been scheduled for Sunday, but bad weather postponed it. Rain left the field in such poor condition, the game was moved.

"It was quite a tournament and our guys did well until the final game," coach Bob Coffman said.

Aaron Paulsen pitched a complete game in the semifinals, yielding three hits and throwing seven strikeouts. Tyler Koch hit two singles, driving in three runs, Taylor Coffman hit an RBI double and Mitchell McNall drove in the final run in the sixth with a single. Mitchell Dillon also recorded an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center.

In the championship game, Greg Gargula pitched the first two innings, then retired with an injured arm and the team trailing 1-0. In relief, Tyler McCullum held Cape Coral scoreless until the final inning, when it hit a grand slam and scored three additional runs.

"Florida is one of the best states for baseball and to finish state runnersup was quite an achievement," Coffman said. "There was just something special about this team. They played well together and never gave up. These kids exceeded my highest expectations."

- TERRY JONES, Times correspondent

WHO: Bloomingdale vs. Virginia, 6 p.m.

WHERE: Gulfport Little League Complex, 658 58th St. S.

DIRECTIONS: Heading south on I-275 - Take the Fifth Avenue N exit and turn right (west). Follow Fifth Avenue to 58th Street and turn left (south). Follow 58th to Seventh Avenue S. The complex is on the left just after the Royal Palms Cemetery.) Heading north on I-275 - Take 22nd Avenue S exit and turn left (west). Follow 22nd Avenue to 58th Street and turn right (north). Follow 58th to Seventh Avenue S. (Complex is on the right just after Boca Ciega High).

AT STAKE: Berth in the World Series, Aug. 11-18, Portland, Ore.

RESULTS

FRIDAY

North Carolina 6, South Carolina 2

Virginia 16, Alabama 0

Tennessee 11, Georgia 1

Florida 6, West Virginia 2

SATURDAY

Tennessee 11, South Carolina 1

Alabama 11, West Virginia 10

Florida 3, Virginia 2

North Carolina 7, Georgia 5

SUNDAY

Virginia 14, West Virginia 0

Tennessee 5, North Carolina 4

Georgia 14, South Carolina 4

Florida 12, Alabama 0

MONDAY

Virginia 8, Tennessee 1

Florida 7, North Carolina 0

[Last modified August 3, 2005, 00:36:17]