Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Few teams still competing as spring sports end

Chamberlain softball players battle Bradenton for a chance to bat for the championship next week.

By TERRY JONES
Published May 5, 2006

SOFTBALL

Only Chamberlain remains in contention for a berth in the final-four championship round scheduled Monday through May 12 at Plant City.

The Chiefs defeated Venice 5-1 on April 28 and beat Bradenton Lakewood Ranch 7-1 on Tuesday for the regional title and a berth in the big dance.

Venice entered the April 28 game 27-2 and ranked No. 1 in Class 5A.

But Chamberlain third baseman Jessica Mouse set the pace for Chamberlain's offense, going 3 for 3 at the plate and accounting for three of the runs. She hit a home run and recorded three RBIs in the victory.

Several Chiefs helped in the cause, banging out a total of nine hits against Heather Boyts, one of the top pitchers in the state.

Chamberlain's Amanda Patrick, Mary Kate Smith and Samantha Holle all hit doubles in the game. Winning pitcher Heather Van Landingham (13-2) scattered five hits, walked two batters and struck out 10.

BASEBALL

Gaither is the lone survivor from the north Hillsborough area, and the Cowboys almost gave it up before winning the Class 6A, District 7 title.

The Cowboys gave up a 4-0 lead to St. Petersburg to enter the seventh inning tied.

Jason Hamm and Daniel Dwyer singled, Steve Lewis bunted a single to move them over and, with the bases loaded, Josh Graham drew a game-winning walk to give Gaither a 5-4 win and the district title.

Gaither (18-6) hosted Riverview (13-3) Tuesday for the regional quarterfinal game and a chance to move on to the semifinals.

TRACK

Girls

Wharton scored 119 points to win the Class 3A, Region III title. Jefferson scored 20 and Leto 7. The Wildcats used their depth to amass most of their points.

In individual competition, Wharton's Teona Rodgers won the 110 hurdles and Jessica Forrester captured the mile run. The Wildcats also won the 4x100 and the 4x800 relays.

Gaither placed third in the Class 4A, Region II meet with 42 points.

Boys

Freedom won the Class 3A, Region III meet in a close 74-61 victory over Sarasota Booker.

Calvin Smith II and Mikese Morse both won two individual events to lead the Patriots in the tight race. Smith won the 400 and the 200 against some of the fastest sprinters in the state.

Morse won the long jump and the high jump and placed second in the triple jump.

Another Freedom sprinter, Eddie Davis, won the 100 and placed second in the 200.

Jefferson distance runner Evander Jones also won two events.

The senior captured the mile and the 2-mile races.

Wharton senior Sadat Kahin won the 800 and was part of the Wildcats' winning mile relay.

Gaither won the Class 4A, Region II tournament with 71 points, and Sickles was third with 35 points.

In individual competition, Torrey Esalomi won the 400 for the Cowboys and anchored the winning 4x400 relay.

Chamberlain senior Mike White won the pole vault with a jump of 14 feet.

[Last modified May 5, 2006, 07:50:33]