Sour end to seniors' careers

By BRYAN BURNS
Published May 9, 2006

[Times photo: Brian Cassella]

There was quite a range of emotions Monday as Cambridge's Class A semifinal with Sheridan Hills Christian came to a close. Sheridan Hills players and fans, celebrate in the bottom of the seventh with victory in sight. Sheridan Hills will be looking for its first state championship today when it takes on Pine Castle Christian.

PLANT CITY - Seven seniors played their final game for Cambridge in the 4-1 loss to Sheridan Hills Christian.

For shortstop Brittany Williams, who will attend Austin Peay this fall, the final-four appearance was her fifth.

"It's going to be hard leaving," Williams said. "This team is like a family."

Williams played a key role in the Lancers' state title in 2005 and second-place finish in '04.

"This is definitely the most painful of the losses," Williams said. "It's the last game of our high school career."

The suddenness of the loss shocked the players, especially catcher and fellow senior Valerie Kessel.

"Getting here was an accomplishment for our team, but we really wanted to win," said Kessel, who will play at Saint Leo.

"I feel like we should be playing tomorrow. It's hit me somewhat, but not yet."

LOOSE CLUBHOUSE: Sheridan Hills' Eric Spee might be sporting a new hairdo in the dugout for today's final against Pine Castle Christian. The ninth-year coach made a promise to his players earlier in the season he might end up regretting.

"The deal was if we win states, we could do whatever we wanted to our coaches, senior third baseman Krystan Vlachos said.

After Monday's victory over Cambridge, that meant a new look for Spee. He doesn't know whether his hair will be blue, or purple, spiked or shaven. And he doesn't care right now.

"If it's going to keep them loose and play better, they can do whatever," he said.

The team might be able to get some ideas from some Disney characters they'll see soon. Spee said the players will visit the Magic Kingdom sometime before they head back to Hollywood.

"Win or lose (Monday), we were going to Disney World," he said.

"That (loss) kept us hungry," Spee said. "It helped us to realize that we are going to be the underdog in every event."

Spee, who is making his second appearance in the final four, added that his wife is nine months pregnant. She also was pregnant during his first final four appearance in 2004. That year, Cambridge defeated the Sharks 7-1 in the semis before losing in the finals to Glades Day.

Spee debated whether to stay home this time, but decided to make the trip to Plant City, saying "I didn't know if I would ever be back here again."

[Last modified May 9, 2006, 00:42:06]