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Citrus Park all-stars hit the World Series

The softball team of 15- and 16-year-olds play their first game in Delaware today.

By TERRY JONES
Published August 7, 2005

CITRUS PARK - The Citrus Park senior Little League all-star softball team of 15- and 16-year-olds dominated the Southern Regional Tournament last week in Virginia, winning the championship with an undefeated record and earning a trip to their league's World Series.

The first World Series game for Citrus Park is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. today in Delaware. Winners of the initial games will play in a single-elimination semifinal round, and the semifinal winners will play the championship game.

"This is a focused group," head coach Marisol Hester said. "They set their own curfews to make sure they are rested, and they even call their own team meetings before each game to make sure they are on the same page."

Making up the team's pitching rotation are Khrystine Ely, or "Care Bare" as her teammates call her; Morgan Grove, Alyesse Staph and Danielle Chapman. Chapman is the only left-handed pitcher.

"We don't have a standout ace," Hester said. "They are equally talented and can back up or replace each other with a quick call."

Morgan McGuire, Bianca Miller, Alex Luce and Jasmine Romero are the outfielders. When not pitching, Ely and Chapman help in the outfield.

Hester describes her outfielders as very fast with strong arms.

Katie Schafheimer is the starting catcher. Hester describes her as a "human wall" behind the batter. She also has a strong arm.

Katie Ely is the starting shortstop and backup catcher. Trisha DeBold plays third and sometimes first base and Kristin Martin plays second.

Hester says all the players are flexible enough to play three different positions when needed.

Offensively, Martin is the most consistent hitter and is a savvy base runner. She is the leadoff batter.

Grove and Khrystine Ely are the heavy hitters. Both have a pair of home runs.

With runners on base, Katie Ely is the most consistent hitter, but Hester says all are good batters and each has been the go-to player in one game or another.

"It is just a real pleasure to coach these girls," Hester concluded. "One of the beauties is the fact that I can move almost any of them around to almost any position without diminishing the team's effectiveness."

[Last modified August 6, 2005, 10:03:05]