Gators ground Knights

Land O'Lakes keeps River Ridge off the bases, out of contention.

By IZZY GOULD
Published February 28, 2007

LAND O'LAKES - Strong pitching, solid fielding and booming bats.

Land O'Lakes coach Jamie Martin wanted to stress the overall effort of the Gators while trying to keep her girls in check after a sound 7-0 victory over River Ridge.

Gators sophomore Michelle Bradley pitched a complete-game one-hitter for her first victory of the season. She threw nine strikeouts and allowed two walks, but never faced any serious trouble as the Royal Knights had only five base runners. None of them got past second base.

"She kept us off," River Ridge coach Ernie Beck said of Bradley. "Her changeup was working great. I think our girls were a little bit tight.

"I could be wrong."

The game had a bizarre beginning after Royal Knights pitcher Nicole Denney was hit in the head with a ball during pregame warmups. The injury left her dazed with a welt on her forehead. She pitched two innings before she told Beck she felt dizzy and he pulled her after two. She was still considering a trip to the hospital after the game though she felt better after popping a couple of Tylenol Arthritis.

Her status for tonight's game against Springstead was unclear.

Land O'Lakes unknowingly took advantage in the second inning when 5-foot-2, 110-pound Samantha Adamo cracked a three-run home run over the leftfield wall for a 3-0 lead. It was her second homer of the season.

"I wish some of my bigger girls would step up," Gators coach Jamie Martin said. "She's probably the smallest girl in the county. Two solid shots, but she has that tremendous bat speed."

A two-run single by catcher Kyle Reed gave the Gators a 5-0 lead in the fifth.

"It's a good stepping stone," Martin said. "Moving up to the next level we still have some big competition with Pasco, Zephyrhills and Mitchell coming up. We're looking at this as something to build on."

Izzy Gould can be reached at igould@tampabay.com or 813 909-4619.

[Last modified February 27, 2007, 23:37:38]