Seven things you should know

PHU faces Countryside at 4 p.m. today at Misty Springs Park in Clearwater.

By Joe Smith
Published April 11, 2007

1 Winner will represent the North in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference championship Friday, hosting Northeast.

2 Talented shortstops will be showcased: PHU senior Elysha Agen (Saint Leo) and Countryside senior GiOnna DiSalvatore (UCLA). DiSalvatore (.517 batting average, 27 RBIs) is planning to play short for the first time since March 14 while battling inflammation in her right shoulder. Agen (.434, seven doubles) has been PHU's best clutch hitter.

"No matter what anyone else says, we have the best shortstop in the county," PHU coach Chuck Poetter said. "She doesn't have a .550 average, but when runners are in scoring position, she outhits anyone in the county."

3 The Hurricanes have played just one game in the past three weeks (a 6-0 loss to Seminole last week). Also, all but three of their starters are underclassmen (seven sophomores and freshmen).

4 Losses in 18 starts for Countryside ace Desiree Baker. The junior right-hander is 14-4 with a 0.77 ERA that is among the county's best. Baker is battling tendonitis in her shoulder, but is expected to pitch today.

5 If PHU wins, it will play for its fifth PCAC title in the past six years.

6 PHU has beaten Countryside six straight times, including a 9-0 win last season.

7 Games this season where both Countryside stars - DiSalvatore and catcher Alyssa Allbritten (N.C. State) - have played in the field and hit. Allbritten suffered from bronchitis.

[Last modified April 10, 2007, 22:55:03]