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Hurricanes coach Chuck Poetter liked what he saw from a young lineup at the Dunedin Invitational.
By JOHN SCHWARB
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 13, 2001
The 2001 season is far from over for Palm Harbor University, but the prospects for 2002 already look promising.
The 25-4 Hurricanes, ranked seventh in last week's Class 5A state poll and third in the Times Tampa Bay Top 10, used last weekend's Dunedin Invitational as a chance to get younger players some playing time.
Coach Chuck Poetter raved about what he saw.
In four games (three wins), PHU gave up just three runs.
And in the championship game, a lineup devoid of seniors battled Countryside for 13 innings before falling 1-0.
"There were a lot of young kids out there; but a lot of talent," Poetter said.
"We needed to give them some experience. It doesn't do any good to just go with all of the older girls."
PHU seniors Christy Boyle, Denyve Duncan and Kristin Weber pleaded for a spot in the lineup and a chance at avenging an earlier loss to Countryside. But they saw action only as pinch-hitters and pinch-runners.
Instead, freshman Sara Stack shined at second base, sophomore Jessica Brinkman pitched a complete game and junior Brandy Portalotin nearly saved the game in centerfield with a dive that came up just short of Brooke Johannessen's game-winning single.
"I expected them to play well," Poetter said. "In the back of my mind, I was thinking, "Jeez, don't let them get it rubbed in their noses because I didn't want to shake their confidence. But after a game like this, their confidence should be sky-high."
The Hurricanes' success continued Tuesday as they clinched the top seed for the Class 5A, District 9 tournament with a 5-0 win at River Ridge (No. 10 in the Times Top 10).
Staff ace Katie Dobson earned the win with a 14-strikeout, two-hit effort, and Portalotin picked up two RBI in a five-run third inning.
PHU is undefeated in district play during the past three years, and this season's perfect mark is especially notable considering the stiff competition in River Ridge, Ridgewood and East Lake.
UP NEXT: While district play is over and berths in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference final are no longer up for grabs (Northeast will play at Countryside for the title April 20), there are still intriguing games during the last week of the regular season.
Clearwater plays host to Countryside on Tuesday and Seminole on Thursday. Also Tuesday, Pinellas Park is at Dixie Hollins and Gibbs plays at Boca Ciega.