Softball: Lazar does it all for Pirates

By Izzy Gould, Times Staff Writer
Published February 29, 2008

DADE CITY - A brisk February night had the feel of a late-season game.

Fans bundled themselves in coats and gloves and sipped coffee and hot chocolate to keep their blood from freezing through the two-hour affair.

Colena Lazar pitched in a sleeveless jersey, seemingly unfazed by the dipping temperatures. By night's end she was still smoking after striking out a season-high 15 and crushing the winning double off the centerfield fence for a 4-1 win over Nature Coast.

"I thought it was gone," Lazar said of the winning hit. "I think everyone thought it was out. Coach (Shamalene Broner) said she could feel a hit coming. I did, too."

Lazar crushed the two-run double in the sixth inning with no outs to give the Pirates (7-0) a 2-1 lead. The inning began with a pair of singles by Lucy Schneider and Brianne Farmer. Lazar later scored on a throwing error to make it 3-1, and the Pirates' top hitter, Sharita Jenkins, scored on a Tanisha Ranson single.

"It took us a while to get going," Broner said. "...This isn't the first time we've been behind. But this was a good test for us."

The Sharks (7-2) have gotten out to a good start this season, but this was their shot at a great start. An upset of the Class 4A state finalists on the road would have sent a tremor through the North Suncoast. Nature Coast grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning after a few errors helped Nikki Beverly cross home plate.

"Last year they killed us and we could have had that in our head," Sharks coach Mettina Maggiore said. "We came out tough. They had a few timely hits. Good for them. We did some good things."

Pasco 4 Nature Coast 1

[Last modified February 28, 2008, 22:30:57]