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By JOHN SCHWARB
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 23, 2001
PALM HARBOR -- In this classic pitchers' duel, it somehow seemed appropriate that even in the end, it was not a bat that declared a victor.
Countryside's Crystal Crews and Palm Harbor University's Katie Dobson staged a mound war Thursday, dispatching batters and keeping zeros on the scoreboard for more than 2 1/2 hours. But the visiting Cougars prevailed 1-0 after a wild pitch scored Amy Allen in the 12th inning.
Countryside (17-0 overall, 4-0 in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference North Division), No. 1 in the Times Tampa Bay Top 10, likely clinched its half of the PCAC. The loss was PHU's first in the area this season.
"Great game, great game," PHU coach Chuck Poetter said. "One-run games like that end that way sometimes, and that's what makes them good."
Throughout the afternoon and into impending darkness, Crews (10-0) and Dobson (10-1) were spectacular, combining for 37 strikeouts. Dobson, who took the loss in Countryside's 5-0 win last year, struck out 20 but showed occasional signs of wildness.
In the 12th, they proved costly.
Allen drew a walk to lead off, and Kattrina Dowd laid down a bunt single. Heather Hodges sacrificed both over. After Carly Brieske popped to second, Crews walked to load the bases.
Then with a 1-1 count to Kerri Ryskamp, a Dobson delivery sailed high and wide of catcher Janine Palumbo. Allen broke for home and slid in under Dobson's tag.
"Every time we got somebody to third base, we said be alert," Countryside coach Scott Kitchen said. "Especially with two outs, you've got to be real aggressive. Any wild pitch we had to take a chance."
Both teams had their chances to score long before the 12th, including the ninth. After Bree Spence reached on an error and Brooke Johannessen singled for Countryside, a Dobson wild pitch put them both in scoring position with one out. But Allen hit a popup to short, and shortstop Christy Boyle wheeled and flipped to Denyve Duncan at second to double up Johannessen.
In the bottom of the ninth, Kristen Weber reached on an error and Palumbo blooped a double to right, putting the Hurricanes (16-3) in business with two on and two out. But Crews dug in and struck out pinch-hitter Halle Painter with an inside fastball.
"Basically, I was just thinking, "Please, do not make a mistake,"' Crews said.
Countryside left 13 runners on base while PHU stranded eight.
"We just made a number of mistakes that we have to put behind us," Poetter said. "But that's why you play these games. That's why I'd rather play (Countryside) every day of the week."