District Softball Preview

By JOE SMITH
Published April 14, 2007

Class A, District 11

at Canterbury

Schedule: Thursday - Calvary Christian vs. Oldsmar Christian, 4 p.m.; Friday - Final (Canterbury vs. Oldsmar-Calvary winner), 4

Outlook: Calvary Christian, sparked by sophomore ace Tabitha Bittel (transfer from East Lake), split with state-ranked Canterbury during the season; both teams beat Oldsmar Christian. Expect a tight championship.

Class 2A, District 11

at Indian Rocks

Schedule: Tuesday - Shorecrest vs. Indian Rocks, 2; Keswick Christian vs Tampa Prep, 4:30; Thursday - No. 2 Northside Christian vs. Tampa Prep-Keswick Christian winner, 2; No. 1 St. Stephens vs. Shorecrest-Indian Rocks winner, 4:30: Friday - Final, 4:30 p.m.

Outlook: Northside Christian had St. Stephens on the ropes in their last meeting - up two runs with two innings to play - but St. Stephens pulled it out. Don't be surprised if they play in the final.

Class 3A, District 11

at Berkeley Prep

Schedule: Tuesday - Tampa Catholic vs. CC Catholic, 4 p.m.; Berkeley Prep vs. Lennard, 7 p.m.; Wednesday - No. 2 Academy of the Holy Names vs. Tampa Catholic-CCC winner, 4 p.m.; No. 1 SP Catholic vs. Berkeley Prep-Lennard winner, 7 p.m.; Thursday - Final, 7 p.m.

Outlook: This one is St. Petersburg Catholic's to lose. Led by senior pitcher Deanna Henriott and her microscopic 0.08 ERA, the Barons beat Academy of the Holy Names twice this season.

Class 5A, District 9

at Pinellas Park

Schedule: Monday - No. 2 East Lake vs. No. 7 Clearwater, 4 p.m.; No. 3 Tarpon Springs vs. No. 6 Largo, 6; No. 4 Pinellas Park vs. No. 5 Dunedin; Tuesday - East Lake-Clearwater winner vs. Tarpon Springs-Largo, 6; No. 1 Palm Harbor vs. Pinellas Park-Dunedin winner, 8; Thursday - Final, 7

Outlook: Perennial power Palm Harbor U. is on a two-game slide, but if the Hurricanes' young guns get back on track, watch out. Tarpon Springs and East Lake are playing well, but the wild card could be Pinellas Park and ace freshman Sara Nevins.

Class 5A, District 11

at Seminole

Schedule: Monday - No. 4 Boca Ciega vs. No. 5 Dixie Hollins, 3 p.m.; No. 3 Osceola vs. No. 5 Lakewood, 5; No. 2 Seminole vs. No. 7 Gibbs, 7; Wednesday - Seminole-Gibbs vs. Osceola-Lakewood, 5; No. 1 Northeast vs. Boca Ciega-Dixie Hollins, 7; Friday - Final, 7

Outlook: Seminole is arguably the county's hottest team. But can it beat South champ Northeast, a team it has lost to twice this season? Don't overlook Osceola, which came out of nowhere to win last year's district title.

Class 6A, District 7

at Alonso

Schedule: Tuesday - No. 4 Mitchell vs. No. 5 Alonso, 5 p.m.; No. 3 Sickles vs. No. 6 St. Petersburg, 7; Wednesday - Sickles-St. Petersburg winner vs. No. 2 Countryside, 5; Mitchell-Alonso winner vs. No. 1 Gaither, 7; Friday - Final, 7 p.m.

Outlook: Countryside beating PHU last week was big for confidence, but more importantly the Cougars are getting healthy at the right time. They split with Gaither this season and could meet again.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

[Last modified April 13, 2007, 21:58:58]