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No-hitter nets Palm Harbor title

By DOUG KATES
Published July 11, 2006

DUNEDIN - Hannah Roberts will be the first to admit it usually takes at least one batter for her to settle down on the mound.

Such was the case Monday night as Roberts walked the leadoff batter in the District 12 9-10 Little League Softball championship game.

The rest of the way, however, Roberts did not allow a walk, a hit or a baserunner. She finished with her first career no-hitter and added five strikeouts to lead Palm Harbor to a 10-0 victory over Countryside in four innings.

After the game, Roberts was laughing about the walk. She said she normally walks the leadoff batter while getting warmed up. She didn't realize it cost her a perfect game and didn't really care. She just wanted the win.

"I was really scared at first because I've pitched against them twice and this was the championship," Roberts said. "Once I got on the mound I felt a lot better."

Roberts played a big role on the mound - not just pitching, but fielding. There were four balls hit back at her and she turned all four into assists at first base.

The biggest defensive play of the game didn't come from Roberts or an infielder, however. Rightfielder Emily Flees grabbed a hard grounder and threw to first base for an out. She saved the no-hitter.

Palm Harbor finished with nine hits offensively. Allie Gavlick and Abbey Bouchard each had two singles. Audrey Gangloff poked a three-run double as part of a five-run first inning.

11-12 SOFTBALL: A lightning delay and change of fields couldn't keep the Tarpon Springs All-Stars from celebrating their first District 12 championship in Dunedin. Tarpon Springs held an 11-2 lead over Clearwater when the game was delayed because of lightning in the top of the sixth.

Forty-five minutes later the game resumed and the soon-to-be champions led 15-2, but the game still wasn't over. Power went out at the field and everyone had to relocate to another field just a short walk away.

At the second field, Tarpon Springs finally ended Clearwater's season without allowing another run.

Tarpon Springs pitcher Kylee Mooney tossed a two-hitter with eight strikeouts.

She said it was "one of her best" outings. "I just wanted to finish it," she added.

Megan Copeland led the winners with three hits, Chelsea Meisberger, Theresa Faison and Mooney each had two hits, and Chrissy Tabulov added a double. The lone Clearwater hits were singles by Amanda Green and Eryn Nickisher.

[Last modified July 11, 2006, 06:35:48]