One inning all 'Canes need

PHU scores six in the fourth, going on to beat rival Countryside 9-1.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published April 12, 2006

PALM HARBOR - Countryside pitcher Desiree Baker was working her way out of bases-loaded, no-out jam, striking out one Palm Harbor University batter and inducing another to fly out.

She was one out and one strike from preserving a 1-0 lead when Courtney Pavlock hit a pitch that came barreling toward shortstop GiOnna DiSalvatore, a UCLA recruit who seemingly vacuums up everything in her path.

Only this time DiSalvatore bobbled it.

The Hurricanes made them pay, scoring six runs in the fourth inning (two off that error) en route to a 9-1 victory over their most heated rival.

"We looked like the Bad News Bears out there," Countryside coach Kayln Bayly said. "We just can't keep giving teams second chances like that."

The gaffe stung even more because it came against PHU, a team that has been a source of frustration for the Cougars.

The Hurricanes have won the past five meetings, including two region finals that propelled PHU to back-to-back state titles.

Tuesday's game lacked the same luster because both teams are in different classifications. Countryside is in 6A; PHU in 5A.

But there still was something at stake besides bragging rights.

It was the regular-season finale and it determined who would represent the north in today's Pinellas County Athletic Conference championship game at Boca Ciega.

"All year the girls were revved up for playing this game," Bayly said. "Then we come out and hand the game to them. We're not a bad team. We have to decide where we want to go from here."

Baker helped the Cougars (16-7) take the lead with a double in the third. Brittany Datillo came in as a courtesy runner for Baker and scored on a fielder's choice by DiSalvatore.

One inning later, the lead was gone.

The Hurricanes (20-4) sent 10 to the plate in the fourth and had four hits, including a two-run double by Tara Toscano and a two-run single by Elysha Agen.

PHU added three in the fifth.

"We started off playing a little timid," Hurricanes coach Chuck Poetter said. "We were hitting the ball in the air and not making plays. Then we settled down, got some hits and were fortunate to come out of (the fourth inning) with the lead."

PHU pitcher Bryce Crouch took it from there. The senior, who took over as the team's ace with the departure of Dani Hofer, allowed five and struck out 14.

"We played well and it was a good tuneup for districts," Poetter said. "Bryce was on. We got hits, played defense. It's what we needed."

[Last modified April 12, 2006, 06:30:06]