Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

For Chiefs, elusive state title just beyond grasp

But with only threestarting girlsgraduating, Chamberlain could be the team to watch next year.

By TERRY JONES
Published May 21, 2006

Even with a solid offensive effort all year, the dream of a state title fell in the semifinals again this year.

Although the Chiefs were hot at the plate all season, their bats went cold during their recent semifinal game against West Boca Raton, which won 2-1. The Chiefs managed only two hits in the game and recorded three errors in the May 12 game in Plant City.

"You can't win games at that level when you make more errors than hits," Chamberlain coach Bobby Diez said.

Still, however disappointing the state tournament was, the Chamberlain team's overall season was a success. It finished 28-4 and won its district and regional championships in Class 5A.

Only three of the team's regular starters will graduate this year, so the silver lining is a veteran team ready to make another run next season.

But those three will be hard to replace.

They include Kelly Confer and Heather Van Landingham, primary members of one of the top pitching rotations in the state.

Confer finished with an 8-1 record and a 1.08 ERA. She also helped at third base or was the designated hitter when not on the mound. At the plate she hit .340, recorded 26 RBIs, hit eight doubles and two home runs.

Van Landingham was 12-3 on the mound, with an ERA of 0.92. She also threw 125 strikeouts.

"Heather pitched against West Boca Raton and threw a great game," Diez said. "She struck out 11 batters and scattered only four hits. She just didn't get much help from our hitters."

Confer has signed to play with Michigan State next year, and Van Landingham committed to play for the University of Tampa.

Lauren Rodriguez is the other graduating starter.

"She was the spark plug for us all year," Diez said. "She ended up in the outfield where we needed her most, but she was a highly skilled shortstop and could play any position when needed."

Rodriguez hit .355 with 17 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Her fielding percentage was .975. She signed to play with the University of South Florida next year.

Several players make the future bright for the Chiefs, starting with top offensive and defensive junior Jessica Mouse and savvy junior catcher Amanda Patrick.

Mouse, who played third base all season, led the team in hitting with a .470 batting average, a slugging percentage of .775 and 27 RBIs. She recorded four home runs, two triples and 11 doubles.

Patrick is the second-year starter behind the plate. She hit .360.

"When the game starts, she lights up," Diez said. "She knows the game so well we let her call the pitches. I haven't given that responsibility to many catchers through the years."

Brittany Cavalli is another returning junior. She was the third member of the pitching rotation. Her record of 6-0 included an ERA of 0.35.

Returning sophomores include Gina Kafalas, Mary Kate Smith and Danielle Moreda.

Moreda played first base and hit .350, including 10 doubles and 16 RBIs. Defensively she made only three errors in 142 touches.

Smith and Kafalas were both solid outfielders. Kafalas hit .310 and Smith .340.

Freshmen starters were Marissa Menendez and Samantha Holle. Menendez played second base and hit .424 with three home runs, nine doubles and a triple. Holle hit .321 with 16 RBIs, seven triples and a home run.

Diez says there were several keys to the Chiefs' success this season.

He cited the unity of the team, especially the cooperation of Confer and Van Landingham in leading the pitching rotation. Another key was the players' work ethic.

"It was a pleasure to come to practice with these girls," Diez said.

[Last modified May 21, 2006, 08:32:09]