Softball: PHU shuts out Lakewood but coach 'not happy'

By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Published February 28, 2008

PALM HARBOR - Even a 10-0, five-inning victory over Lakewood on Wednesday couldn't ease Chuck Poetter's displeasure.

For Palm Harbor University, now 6-3, 2-2 in 5A-9, the sting of two losses in the past two weeks to district rivals East Lake and Tarpon Springs still lingers.

"We're not executing our offense," the coach said after the Lakewood victory. "We're trying to put our finger on it. We lost two games leaving 25 runners on base and only scoring one run. ... I'm not happy. (The players) know I'm not happy."

In the win against Lakewood (3-3, 2-2), Hurricanes starting pitcher Elizabeth Pages drilled a two-RBI single to centerfield to ignite a five-run inning. Jackie Katchuk lined a two-RBI double in the inning.

Madison O'Brien's triple scored two PHU runs in the second, and Nadia Rahman, who was 2-for-2 with a double, singled home two more.

Pages (3-0), meanwhile, shut down Lakewood's offense, limiting the Spartans to four hits.

"We just got demoralized after that first inning and weren't able to shake it," Lakewood coach Phillip Morgan said.

Poetter, however, remains unconvinced, even scheduling practice after the game before relenting to the near-freezing temperatures.

"I don't feel like we're getting better," he said. "The things that caused us to lose (the East Lake and Tarpon Springs) games we continue to see. ... We're not where we want to be right now."

[Last modified February 28, 2008, 00:55:32]