Buccaneers the only terror on this field

Gulf became monster in a 9-0 win at Zephyrhills.

By IZZY GOULD
Published March 21, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - Gulf's seniors have plenty of scary stories about the orange and black monster in Class 4A, District 8.

These frightful tales could make the hair on the back of your neck stand tall and scare freshmen into a corner of a dugout.

Gulf put its own twist on the ending Tuesday and became the monster in a 9-0 win at Zephyrhills.

"We traditionally don't play well when we come here," Bucs coach Rick Hohenthaner said. "To throw a goose egg on the board is phenomenal."

Gulf (9-5, 6-5 4A-8) inflicted heavy damage in its half of the third inning, scoring six runs on five hits beginning with an RBI-double from Amanda Gardner for a 2-0 lead.

Then Devin Fellman stepped into the batter's box and belted a three-run blast to centerfield for her second home run of the season and a 5-0 lead.

"We were really down the first couple of innings," Fellman said. "I told my team ... if we score first, that's all it's going to take."

Gulf also rode the pinpoint accuracy of pitcher Amy Bushong, who picked up her fifth win with the complete-game shutout. Zephyrhills (11-6, 9-4) finally loaded the bases in the seventh, but couldn't cash in.

Bushong allowed four hits, including a line drive off her left leg in the third inning. When she started walking off the field, her teammates urged her to stay and finish the game. Turns out Bushong thought she might have a knee injury.

Gulf has two more big games this week, beginning Thursday against Mitchell and Friday at Springstead.

"This was a big win we had to have for district seeding," Hohenthaner said. "They're the team in front of us."

DIAMOND NOTES: For a few more nuggets from Tuesday's Gulf-Zephyrhills game, check out our blog at blogs.tampabay.com/preps/.

Gulf 9, Zephyrhills 0

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 00:17:46]