Hernando: News and notes

By Izzy Gould
Published September 11, 2007

Diamond inthe rough

Drive past the Hernando baseball field, and you'll see a patch of exposed dirt in rightfield.

But don't worry. Leopards baseball coach Donnie Whitehead says the field, renovated this summer, will be playable by January.

The lone patch stems from a section of concrete grading crews encountered while leveling the field.

"We hit everything except Jimmy Hoffa while we were digging," Whitehead said.

For the most part, the project has progressed smoothly. Thanks to multiple donations, the project will cost just $50,000 normally, Whitehead estimates, it would have cost four times as much.

The best part? Whitehead says the cash-strapped school system won't have to pay a dime.

Central Invitational

Here's more appetizer before the cross country season really kicks off. Seven North Suncoast schools will converge for the Central Invitational this afternoon at 5. Land O'Lakes enters as the favorite with a stable of strong runners led by junior Felix Soto, above.

Other schools competing include Hernando, Central, Nature Coast, Springstead, Citrus, Lecanto and host Central. Can Central establish itself as Hernando County's top dog this season? Will Hernando rebound after heavy losses to graduation? Are the Gators really the team to beat? The answers to these questions and more, beginning this afternoon.

Compiled by Times staff writers Izzy Gould and David Murphy.

Set your DVR

Nature Coast at Hernando, volleyball, 7 p.m.

Will this match mark the official change in the balance of power in county volleyball? Or will Hernando challenge talented upstart Nature Coast? The Sharks were 4-0 heading into Monday night's match against Pasco. The Leopards, meanwhile, have struggled early. Two of the top sophomores in the area, Nature Coast's Alex Livengood and Hernando's Shelby Stocker, face each other for the first time. But keep an eye on more experienced players such as Hernando's Casey Davidson and Nature Coast's Kayla Bailey, left, who Sharks coach Dan Murphy says has the highest hitting percentage on the team.

Quotable

"Everyone's dealt setbacks in life. It's not the setbacks you're dealt, it's how you respond to them. That's the great thing about football."

Springstead coach Bill Vonada, above, following a 20-0 loss to Nature Coast on Friday. The Eagles travel to Belleview this week.

[Last modified September 11, 2007, 00:24:30]