Early win boosts Cowboys baseball

By ROD GIPSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 18, 2001

NORTHDALE -- Another season, same high expectations.

That is what the Gaither High baseball team has to live up to every year, and 2001 will be no different. With one of its most talented teams losing in the regional semifinals last season, the Cowboys are looking to better their 21-4 record and Class 6A-7 district title of a year ago.

The Cowboys got off to a good start Tuesday with an 8-3 win against Hillsborough. Junior Eric Thompson led the way with a double and a home run to help Gaither post six runs in the first two innings and cruise to the victory. In other action, Chamberlain gave up a fifth-inning run to lose 2-1 to Brandon, and Wharton's Matt McHargue gave up four hits and took the loss as Bloomingdale rallied for a 3-1 win.

SOFTBALL: The season began on Valentine's Day in a big way for Chamberlain. Senior pitcher Nikki Trowell threw a five-inning no hitter against Brandon. The Chiefs, who pounded out seven hits, scored three runs in the opening inning and never looked back. In other opening-day games, Sickles took care of Plant 7-2 behind the pitching of Julie Henneke, and Wharton was pounded by Bloomingdale 14-0. Henneke allowed just four hits against the Panthers and showed composure in calming down after giving up a run in the top of the first inning. Wharton, meanwhile, could only muster one hit while suffering their five-inning defeat.

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD: Wharton's Carmen Crespo showed her versatility during the season-opening meet Tuesday. Crespo won the high jump, the discus and the 110-hurdles and was part of the first-place mile relay team. Her efforts helped lift Wharton to win in their tri-meet with Hillsborough and Academy of Holy Names. The Wildcats posted 99 points, followed by Hillsborough's 37 and Academy's five points. Gaither also began its season with a strong individual performance. Amanda Wells outran her competition in the mile and two-mile events to lead the Cowboys to a 94-42 win against Chamberlain. Jenny Habbestab also ran well for Gaither, winning the 440 dash and the 880 dash races. Habbestab also anchored the victorious mile relay team for the Cowboys.

BOYS SOCCER: A John Burklo goal gave Wharton a brief lead in the second half, but in the end, the Wildcats fell 4-2 to Clearwater in the Class 3A, Region III playoffs. Playing in their first regional, Wharton played even with the Tornadoes until its second half breakdowns and finished the season 11-5-3.

BOYS BASKETBALL: For the first time since the school opened four years ago, Wharton won't send a team to the regional playoffs. The Wildcats struggled to a 42-35 loss to King in the Class 5A, District 11 semifinals. With the district finals winners and runners-up both advancing to regionals, Wharton came up a game shy of moving on. Wharton, which ended the year 20-8, was led by Josh Rosado's 11 points.

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