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The Buzz

By IZZY GOULD
Published April 8, 2007

And the SAC goes to...

If our calculations are correct - remember, we are journalists - it appears Mitchell has claimed the Sunshine Athletic Conference softball title outright despite the outcome of Tuesday's rivalry game against River Ridge.

The Mustangs have not lost in SAC play.

Meanwhile, the teams hot on their tail - Pasco, River Ridge, Zephyrhills, Gulf - all have at least two conference losses.

Mitchell shared the title last season, but this marks the first time the Mustangs have won it outright.

"We pretty much knew we won that night against Land O'Lakes," Mitchell coach Scott Bisbe said.

"We were pretty sure that gave it to us. I wasn't real sure. I knew we were at least co-champs."

All six of Mitchell's losses have come in Class 6A, District 7.

"We're in a pretty tough district," Bisbe said. "We've got a good team. If our pitching's there and we hit the ball we can play with any of them."

The Mustangs have split with Alonso and Countryside, lost twice to Sickles and Gaither, and beat St. Petersburg twice.

Mitchell vs. River Ridge is still a big deal

The Mustangs and Royal Knights resume their rivalry Tuesday night at Mitchell.

Though nothing tangible is on the line, this should be a good game.

"That's our rival on this side," Bisbe said.

"It's always a big game. The girls really get up for it; some of them get nervous."

Dixon commits

Mitchell centerfielder Tanisha Dixon orally committed to UCF.

The junior speedster joins Courtney Stager, who has committed to Florida State.

"I talked to one of the assistants a couple of times," Bisbe said of UCF. "I think it's a good spot for Tanisha. She's a good pick for anyone. Her speed is unmatched anywhere."

Looking sharp

Julie Wisniewski didn't do anything spectacular Thursday other than anchor the infield at shortstop.

Gulf coach Rick Hohenthaner was happy to have her back after she missed three games with an injury that had the potential to end her season.

Problems arose after a 4-3 loss to Zephyrhills on Feb. 16.

Wisniewski was fielding a throw to second base to thwart a steal attempt. She tagged the girl out, but was cleated on her lower leg.

The injury appeared to be nothing more than a scrape. After several days Wisniewski still experienced pain and the affected area began to swell. She played for 2 1/2 weeks before seeing a doctor.

"I knew before we got into districts we needed to know if this was something more," Hohenthaner said. "It didn't look like it was getting smaller."

The doctor drained the area and placed a compression patch on the wound.

Wisniewski played the next day and quickly realized she was in trouble.

"They realized it was a broken blood vessel," Hohenthaner said. "They had to re-tap it and drain it again.

"Had she not done that she most likely would have had to go to a vascular specialist and would have required surgery."

Wisniewski sat out a week and returned this week for games against South Sumter and Land O'Lakes.

Jessica Santoli moved from the outfield to fill in at shortstop for Wisniewski and earned high praise from Hohenthaner after playing error-free ball. She also went 2-for-4 in all three games and hit her first true home run.

"I was worried she would suffer," Hohenthaner said. "Jessica showed me the kind of ball player she is."

Wisniewski was her cheerful self Thursday, helping in a 3-2 win over Land O'Lakes. She walked and grounded out twice, started a key double play in the fourth and assisted on a pair of outs in the seventh.

"This was something she was smart enough to catch with her parents and get it healed," Hohenthaner said. "We're grateful because we have a week of playing time before districts."

Izzy Gould can be reached at igould@tampabay.com or (727) 580-5315.

[Last modified April 7, 2007, 22:55:32]