A flip-flop might be all Lions need

By STEVE LEE

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 4, 2001

SAINT LEO -- The opposition knows all about Desi Croteau.

She's merely the reigning Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year who led Saint Leo to the NCAA Division II playoffs last season for the first time in the team's 19-year history.

While the Lions' fortunes once again hinge on the pitching and hitting of Croteau, their place in the standings also will be determined by Croteau's sidekick on the mound -- Lacey Hardesty.

Croteau (Land O'Lakes) has set school records for career wins (80), shutouts (35), strikeouts (665) and complete games (108) by relying on a wicked fastball.

Hardesty, a sophomore who went 10-8 with a 1.74 ERA last season, is a junk-ball hurler.

While Croteau will continue to make back-to-back starts, on some occasions coach Christi Wade will alternate or even flip-flop those pitchers to open a series.

"They've seen Desi first for the last three years," Wade said of the Lions' foes. "We're looking for something new. Lacey gets a lot of grounders."

That pitching combination, along with several key returners who helped Saint Leo finish with a .280 team batting average and a 39-18 record, has Wade envisioning another run at the regionals.

"We have a strong returning crew and we have added several kids," Wade said.

"Just looking at how well they played during the fall I expect some great things from them."

Great things from Croteau don't just pertain to pitching.

She led the Lions in hitting (.399), hits (65), doubles (11) and RBI (29) last season.

Other stalwart hitters in the Saint Leo lineup include: Jamie Martin (.321, 24 RBI, a team-leading 39 runs scored and 4 home runs, which tied Croteau); Sabrina Price (.312, 34 runs, 22 RBI); Kelly Correia (.375); and Kristin Alvarez (.327).

Martin, who can catch, play second base or outfield, will bat third in the order. Croteau will hit cleanup with Jennifer Shirley, also a catcher who knocked in 20 runs last year, likely in the fifth spot.

"(Croteau) provides an extreme amount of offense," Wade said.

As for Martin, the coach said, "Whatever position you put her in she excels at. As long as she's in the lineup and she's hitting, she doesn't care where you put her."

Aside from the pitchers and catchers, the Lions' defense lists Hardesty and Helen Hendrix at first base, Daffany Green and Martin at second, Correia at shortstop and Price at third. In the outfield are Alvarez, Amanda Sluga, Jessica McKenzie and Martin.

Alvarez, who will play left, is the best defensive outfielder.

"The ball looks like it's clearly over her head and she gets it," Wade said.

Wade does not question her team's talent or its heart.

"They never give up," Wade said, pointing out that the Lions' success last season was helped by avoiding long losing streaks.

Only twice last year did Saint Leo lose two games in a row.

The following schedule lists home games in capital letters.

February

9 -- PALM BEACH ATLANTIC, 6 p.m.

17 -- SAINT THOMAS UNIVERSITY, 1 p.m.

18 -- EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE, 1 p.m.

24 -- University of West Florida, Valdosta (Ga.), 2 p.m. *

25 -- Southern Arkansas Univ., Valdosta (Ga.), 12:30 p.m.

March

2-4 -- University of North Florida tournament, Jacksonville, TBA

9 -- QUEENS COLLEGE, 10 a.m.

10-11 -- SAINT LEO TOURNAMENT, TBA

17 -- ROLLINS COLLEGE, 1 p.m.

18 -- Florida Tech, Melbourne, 1 p.m.

21 -- Florida Southern, Lakeland, 6 p.m.

22 -- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT, 4 p.m.

24 -- ECKERD COLLEGE, 1 p.m.

25 -- University of Tampa, 1 p.m.

27 -- University of North Florida, Jacksonville, 5 p.m.

29 -- VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY, 5 p.m.

31 -- BARRY UNIVERSITY, 1 p.m.

April

1 -- LYNN UNIVERSITY, 1 p.m.

7 -- Rollins College, Winter Park, 1 p.m.

8 -- FLORIDA TECH, 1 p.m.

11 -- FLORIDA SOUTHERN, 6 p.m.

19 -- Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, 6 p.m.

22 -- UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA, 1 p.m.

24 -- Barry University, Miami Shores, 6 p.m.

25 -- Lynn University, Boca Raton, 2:30 p.m.

May

11 -- South Region tournament, TBA

17 -- National Championships, Salem (Va.), TBA

* Doubleheader

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