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Shining on a national stage

The Hernando Debs are runners-up in their appearance in the Dixie Softball World Series.

By DEREK LaRIVIERE, Times Correspondent
Published August 31, 2007

The county already had an idea of how good the level of softball competition was around here. Now, the world knows.

Okay, maybe not the world, but the world of Dixie League Softball knows.

After showing signs of greatness in the state qualifying tournament, the first step to the 32nd annual Dixie Softball World Series, the Hernando Debs proved how good they were in a runner-up finish for the World Series title. The squad was made up of local 16- to 18-year-olds.

Coached by Paul Sinwelski, the Debs were led by Hernando pitcher Ari Lowman and Springstead graduate Destinee Mormando. They downed East Pasco in the state title game to earn a berth in the national tournament. Nothing that the Hernando team did was simple though. In the state tournament, held in Sneads, the Debs held a 1-0 lead over East Pasco in the third inning before the game was rained out.

The team was forced to replay the entire game the next night. Fortunately for Hernando, they came out ahead with an 8-2 victory.

"Nothing seemed to shake these girls' confidence," said Sinwelski. "Every time it seemed like there could have been an opportunity to make excuses and give up, these girls just pushed harder and harder."

The first game of the World Series seemed like a rude awakening for the Hernando squad. Louisiana welcomed the Hernando players, who were making their first-ever series appearance, to the big dance by pounding them 10-0 in the opener.

After that, Hernando went on a run. Gaining confidence that they belonged with these teams after every win, Hernando defeated the host team from Marianna, Ala., and Virginia before meeting back up with Louisiana in the semifinals. This time Hernando knew where they stood and planned on fighting until the end. Finally, Hernando's Debs edged out the Louisiana team 7-5 in 10 innings for a measure of revenge and a date with South Carolina for the title.

Prior to the championship game, South Carolina had yet to surrender a run in the tournament. Although the score showed a lopsided loss at the hands of that South Carolina team, the girls from Hernando did score two runs, keeping their heads held high throughout the game, which had a final score of 14-2.

Most of these players will now go back to school and look forward to the softball season that starts in the spring. With success on a national level on their resume, it will be interesting to see with what kind of intensity and confidence they play. They have played with the best and shown they can compete.

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[Last modified August 30, 2007, 23:59:09]