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Six county softball players receive all-state nods

By IZZY GOULD
Published June 8, 2007

Pasco sophomore Colena Lazar was named to the Class 4A all-state first team, the Florida Sports Writers Association announced Thursday.

The left-handed ace helped lead the Pirates to their first state final, going 18-4 with 185 strikeouts and a 1.24 ERA.

Zephyrhills junior Ashley Anderton was named to the second team, batting .453 with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 39 RBIs.

Pasco third baseman Lucy Schneider was named to the third team. Her three-run home run against Groveland Southlake in the region final helped vault the Pirates into the final four with a 5-2 victory.

And Bulldogs shortstop Jessica Davis was honorable mention thanks to a .453 batting average, seven home runs and 29 RBIs.

On Wednesday, Academy at the Lakes had a pair of players earn second-team, all-state honors in Class A.

Wildcats pitcher Amber Hay made the team with a 12-2 record, 1.68 ERA and 148 strikeouts. Shortstop Brittney Scott batted .708 with 38 RBIs and five home runs. She will play for Princeton in the fall.

GAINESVILLE PIRATES: Kimi Ishmar had a smile that wrapped from ear to ear.

Pasco's incoming freshman had just made a great play during a 7-on-7 drill at a University of Florida team camp this week.

Florida football coach Urban Meyer walked over to Ishmar, shook his hand and told him "great play, " patted him on the backside and walked away.

"That kid's head almost exploded from the smile, " Pasco coach Tom McHugh said.

Pasco returned from a team camp at the University of Florida with more knowledge, skill and most important, a tighter bond.

Beyond the 7-on-7 drills, the lineman camp, oh, and the gaze of Meyer, the camp gave 46 Pirates a chance to mesh.

"Kids that I had only watched in middle school games I got to know, " McHugh said of the 15 incoming freshmen who attended. "They're a great bunch of kids and pretty skilled athletes."

For four days Pasco stayed in the dorms, ate and played together and simply got to hang. Players McHugh had pegged for certain positions opened his eyes for other opportunities.

By the end, Pasco's players wanted to change a breaking chant; instead of using "Pirates, " they opted for "family."

Q-SCHOOL STOP: The PGA Tour selected Lake Jovita as one of six courses to host the second stage of its qualifying tournament, also known as Q-school, slated for Nov. 12-18.

About 1, 200 will compete for 30 PGA Tour cards. Those who advance to the third stage are guaranteed to play on either the PGA or the Nationwide Tour.

Lake Jovita has hosted Q-school since 2005. The public can attend free of charge.

For more information, call the Lake Jovita Golf Shop at 352 588-9200.

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

[Last modified June 7, 2007, 22:41:38]