Pinellas: County roundup

By BRYAN BURNS, Times Staff Writer
Published February 29, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - By virtue of its 8-6, come-from-behind victory over Seminole last week, Osceola suddenly found itself thrust into the unfamiliar role of the team to beat in Class 5A, District 11.

Judging from the Warriors' 16-3, five-inning drubbing of Northeast on Thursday, it is a role Osceola doesn't want to give up any time soon.

"This is my sixth season, and I had yet to beat Seminole," Osceola coach William Rasmussen said. "To finally beat them was good for us. To come back from a 6-1 deficit to them is huge. We were all excited."

That excitement continues for the Warriors as both their victories since that Seminole win have ended by the mercy rule. Against Northeast, the Warriors batted through their lineup in the first two innings and hit two home runs, one triple and three doubles.

"The whole lineup, every girl can hit the ball," Rasmussen said. "We've got pretty good pitching, and our defense is coming along. So, we're doing all right."

Osceola starter Allison Shirley was its best hitter as the junior went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in the fourth inning and the Warriors' lone triple.

First baseman Dayna DeBaylo smashed a two-run home run to leftfield in the third and had three RBIs. All but one of Osceola's starters had at least one hit.

"Those girls can just flat-out hit," Northeast coach Christie Evans said.

In going the distance for Osceola, Shirley (3-0) surrendered just two hits.

"We have to potential to be the best team in (the district)," Shirley said. "If we keep working hard and stay together, then we can be really good."

- Tampa Catholic 6, Clearwater Central Catholic 4

Three errors in the top of the seventh inning spelled defeat for the host Marauders.

CCC (4-4, 2-1) entered the seventh inning with a 4-3 lead before Tampa Catholic (4-2, 3-2) scored three runs to take a 6-4 advantage. With the Marauders threatening in the bottom half of the inning, Jenna Lee was called out at home trying to score on a single from second base in a close play at the plate, effectively ending any CCC comeback hopes.

"It was a pretty evenly matched game," CCC coach Meghan Kimsey said. "We had our opportunities."

Lee's solo home run in the fifth inning put the Marauders ahead 4-3. It was Lee's second home run of the season. She had a double in the game.

- Canterbury 10, Calvary Christian 1

Canterbury scored seven runs in the third inning for the easy win at home.

Krissy Longstreet (3-for-4, three RBI) came close to the cycle after hitting a triple, double and a single for Canterbury (9-1). Macey Hall (2-for-4, 2 RBI), drove a ball over the centerfield wall in the sixth inning, and the Crusaders' lone senior, Erika Surbaugh, was 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs.

Emily Winesett went the distance to improve to 3-0. Calvary drops to 2-4.

- Shorecrest Prep 18, St. Stephens Episcopal 14

Visiting Shorecrest had just five hits yet managed to score 18 runs in the district opener.

St. Stephens committed 11 errors and walked 14 Shorecrest batters.

"Our batters didn't chase a lot of bad pitches, and we just capitalized on their mistakes," Shorecrest coach Kelly Jackson said

Shorecrest (2-2, 1-0) trailed 12-11 heading into the seventh before scoring seven runs in the inning to take the lead.

Alexis Galinski pitched a complete game for Shorecrest to run her record to 2-2. Despite St. Stephens' 14 runs, only one of those was charged to Galinski as Shorecrest committed 10 errors itself.

Baseball

- Tarpon Springs 3, Osceola 2

A perfectly executed suicide squeeze by Steven Lynford with one out in the bottom of the seventh gave Tarpon Springs a one-run victory at home.

The Spongers (3-4) trailed 2-1 heading into the final inning before rallying for the win. Nick Spanolios singled home Danny Robinson before Lynford's dramatic play scored Chris Nash for the winner.

"It was a character win for us because we had a tough 4-3 loss to Clearwater the night before," Tarpon coach Dan Genna said.

Tommy Organ gave up just two hits in five innings of work for the Spongers. Junior Robinson (3-1) came on in relief in the sixth and finished the game to earn the victory.

With the loss, Osceola drops to 5-2.

- Dunedin 5, Boca Ciega 2

Max Kreuter improved to 3-0 on the season after pitching the visiting Falcons to victory.

Dunedin (4-2) scored three runs in the first inning, highlighted by Jacob Rogers two-RBI triple, to take control early.

Brad McAllister drove in a run with a double in the fourth inning and Matt Miller added a RBI double in the sixth inning for Boca Ciega (2-5), but the Pirates were unable to do anymore damage.

- Dixie Hollins 11, East Lake 4

East Lake walked or hit 14 batters against visiting Dixie Hollins.

Rebels pitcher Mark Danna picked up his first victory of the season and added a double at the plate.

The Rebels improve to 2-4. East Lake falls to 3-5.

[Last modified February 29, 2008, 00:43:34]