Softball region semifinals

All games are scheduled for 7:30 tonight unless noted.

By ROD GIPSON
Published April 28, 2006

CLASS 5A

LAKEWOOD RANCH (19-10) at PLANT (24-5)

The Mustangs are a solid squad led by junior pitcher Ashley Hanewich but they'll have their hands full with the Panthers. Plant quickly got over its disappointment in losing in its district final to upset defending state champ Palm Harbor in the region opener.

VENICE (27-2) at CHAMBERLAIN (26-3), 4 p.m.

A great matchup featuring Venice, the top-ranked team in the Class 5A poll, and the Chiefs, listed at No. 3. This one comes down to pitching: Venice's Heather Laird (12-1) vs. Chamberlain's Heather Vanlandingham (12-2).

BLOOMINGDALE (22-5) at LAKELAND GEORGE JENKINS (20-8)

The Bulls continue to rely on sophomore pitcher Kristen Kelly, who has 19 wins. She may get challenged by a good-hitting Jenkins team that has advanced to the region finals the last two seasons.

CLASS 3A

FROSTPROOF (18-7) at ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES (21-3)

The Bulldogs slipped past Winter Park Trinity Prep to advance this far but their ride may be coming to an end. Academy continues to play lights out softball using a blend of outstanding pitching (Kayla Suskauer), great defense (SS Brittany Villa) and above-average hitting (Becka Vyzas, Jessica Clark and Kristina Cruz).

CLASS A

CANTERBURY (19-0) at CAMBRIDGE (19-4), 4 p.m.

Cambridge is the defending state champ in Class A. The Lancers were state runners-up the year before and were in the semifinals in 2003. Canterbury is unbeaten but needed every run it scored in a 13-12 win in the region opener. Cambridge began regional play with a 19-0 yawner. Enough said.

FORT MYERS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN (20-2) at SEFFNER CHRISTIAN (10-6)

SW Florida is ranked fifth in the state poll and features a solid battery in freshman pitcher Hailey Barreco (17-2, 1.16 ERA) and junior catcher Sarah Bronson (.576 BA). Seffner may need another performance like Tuesday's region opener when it scored 36 runs.

[Last modified April 28, 2006, 02:15:53]