'Canes silence opponents' bats

PHU notches three shutouts en route to Dunedin Spring Tournament title.

By DOUG KATES
Published March 26, 2006

CLEARWATER - Palm Harbor University did not allow a run in three games, winning the Gold Division of the Dunedin Spring Tournament on Saturday.

But success didn't keep coach Chuck Poetter quiet.

During a 5-0 victory over St. Petersburg Catholic in the championship, Poetter mildly criticized a baserunner for not watching her base coach. He mildly criticized his catcher for not blocking a pitch when she knew a ball in the dirt was coming. He mildly criticized a batter for not telling a baserunner to slide into the plate on a wild pitch. Heck, he even criticized an assistant coach for making a bad throw to an umpire when returning a foul ball to the playing field.

When you're a coach who has won back-to-back state titles, you're allowed to pick on the little things.

"When we win, we coach. When we lose, we soothe," Poetter said. "It's an opportunity to get them to see things on the field. If they see it, they can apply it. It's time to get focused."

PHU (16-4) opened the tournament with a 5-0 win over St. Petersburg Catholic, followed by a 7-0 win over Dunedin. In the title game, Bryce Crouch and Courtney O'Connell combined on a three-hitter. Crouch, who struck out 12-of-12 against Dunedin, struck out 7-of-10 in the title game. O'Connell had four strikeouts in four innings of relief.

The Hurricanes led 1-0 before posting two runs in the third inning. Elysha Agan, Elizabeth Pages and Crouch all had singles. Ahead 3-0, PHU added two runs in the sixth inning. Lauren Jurco had her third hit of the game to finish 3-for-3 with a double. Tara Toscano also had a double.

Lindsey McKenna had two singles for SPC (12-3-1). Kristi Humphrey had the other hit.

Seminole and Durant battled for the Silver Division title. The Warhawks (17-4) won 4-3.

Seminole scored four runs in the third inning for the early lead. Kasey Postupack, Kristi Belvedere and Alison Savarese all had singles, and Ashley Volentine and Kaci Huenke both had two-run singles. Durant (13-2) rallied for two runs in the fourth. Freshman Kelsey Horton belted a home run over the leftfield fence - her fourth of the season. Durant added a late run in the seventh.

[Last modified March 26, 2006, 00:26:15]