Pirates right ship against Bulldogs
The Pirates howled, chanted and screamed after a 7-1 victory over rival Zephyrhills on Thursday.
By IZZY GOULD
Published March 2, 2007
ZEPHYRHILLS - Pasco gathered at the heart of Bulldog Country and closed in tight on its coach. The Pirates howled, chanted and screamed after a 7-1 victory over rival Zephyrhills on Thursday.
Pasco coach Shamalene Broner looked at the smiles and wide eyes, then said softly, "This is how you should feel after every game."
The Pirates (6-2, 3-1 Class 4A, District 8) had been dogged by a key district loss to Hernando on Tuesday when they gave up a 4-1 lead in the seventh to lose 5-4.
The lone blemish Thursday was a first-inning home run by Bulldogs shortstop Jessica Davis. The Pirates quickly climbed ahead 2-1 in the second on a two-run double by Colena Lazar.
Pirates catcher Kalee Burchfield put the game out of reach with a monster home run that sailed over an RV parked behind the leftfield wall for a 5-1 lead in the fifth. Burchfield was 2-for-2 with a walk, double, home run and three runs scored.
The Bulldogs (7-3, 5-2) couldn't find an answer to Pirates starting pitcher Liz Garcia, who went the distance for her second victory. She struck out two and allowed six hits.
GULF 14, NATURE COAST 10: The Bucs (5-3, 3-3 4A-8) overcame a four-run deficit to take a 13-4 lead through five innings. Gulf catcher Devin Fellman went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and four RBIs.
SPRINGSTEAD 10, HUDSON 2: The Cobras struggled with their bats and gloves. They got a pair of triples from senior Sara Hampshire and junior Paige Lake late, but little else. Springstead walked cleanup hitter Daniel Fennimore for each of her at-bats.
COUNTRYSIDE 6, MITCHELL 2: Mitchell coach Scott Bisbe described the Mustangs as "slumping" as they struggled to get hits in a key 6A-7 loss to fall to 6-2, 3-2 in the district. Bisbe described the problems ranging from stranded base runners to errors in the outfield to slumping bats.
BISHOP MCLAUGHLIN 13, SEVEN RIVERS CHR. 3: Jenna Palamaro was 4-for-5 with two RBIs and four stolen bases as the Hurricanes earned their first victory. Starting pitcher Jennifer Lester threw two strikeouts, five hits and allowed three walks.