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Softball teams eliminated quickly

Saint Leo goes two-and-out in Division II region play; PHCC goes 1-2 at state.

By STEVE LEE
Published May 16, 2006

ST. LEO - Pasco-Hernando Community College and Saint Leo softball teams have two things in common.

Both made postseason tournaments and bowed out early with PHCC (32-24) winning one of three games and Saint Leo (37-20) losing twice.

But there was nothing in common from the comments - and outlooks, for that matter - from the respective coaches.

PHCC's Tom Ryan did not count on his team contending for the Florida Community College Activities Association's state Fast-pitch title. Gulf Coast defeated Indian River 2-0 for the title with both reaching nationals.

"It's a difficult tournament," Ryan said. "To hang around for a while, it says a lot for this group."

For Saint Leo's Christi Wade, who notched her 300th win this season, there was no silver lining in a quick ouster. Her teams have played in four of the past seven Division II South Regionals, but she clearly is discouraged with the Lions' 1-8 overall record in those series.

"It's really bittersweet," Wade said. "I think it really comes down to the kids not knowing the importance of it. Sometimes, it's just not making it. That's a step along the way."

For PHCC, Chrissy Carter, a pitcher/infielder, earned the win. The sophomore right-hander (7-4) from Hernando scattered 10 hits and struck out seven in a 6-1 victory over Pensacola.

Sophomore righty Cassie Pearson (Crystal River) took the two losses, 9-0 against Manatee and 6-0 to Chipola. Pearson finished 14-10.

In the win, Carter went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Sophomore outfielder April Slate (Land O'Lakes) had three hits, drove in two and scored twice.

"They were among our top hitters all year long, so they were definitely two we were counting on," Ryan said.

Saint Leo has counted on ace Katie Heintz for four seasons, but that dependence has ended. The record-setting southpaw (27-13) took both losses, 3-2 in 13 innings against Alabama-Huntsville and 3-1 to Valdosta State.

Alabama-Huntsville reached the final, losing 13-2 to tournament host Florida Southern.

Heintz, named to the all-tourney team, added 14 strikeouts in two games to increase her total to 1,210, fourth on the all-time Division II list. Her 400 Ks this season is a single-season record and goes along with her career and single-game (23) marks.

Christina Van Tassel and Erin Brunt hit home runs for Saint Leo. Van Tassel, a junior outfielder, hit her team-leading ninth in the loss to Alabama-Huntsville and junior catcher Brunt her sixth against Valdosta State.

Van Tassel's homer gave the Lions a 2-1 lead in the top of the 13th, but the game ended on Kristin Spencer's two-run double in the bottom of that inning.

"The wind was taken out of our sails after that first game," Wade said.

Including Brunt's homer, Saint Leo had five hits against Valdosta State. Designated hitter Ashley Urbanik, a freshman, and Van Tassel each had two singles.

Heintz, a first-teamer, was among four Lions to make All-South Region for the regular season. Second-teamers included Brunt, Van Tassel and Urbanik.

Saint Leo's last athlete of the week for the season was Van Tassel, who hit .375 with a homer and an RBI in the region. For the season, Van Tassel hit .403 with 38 RBIs and 41 runs. She led the team in those categories as well as at-bats (172), hits (71), triples (three), homers (nine), slugging percentage (.642), on-base percentage (.440) and sacrifice flies (three). And she tied for the team lead in stolen bases (14) with Hayley Mallory.

[Last modified May 16, 2006, 01:50:15]