Warhawks have one thing on their mind

If Seminole is to reach the state tournament, it must exact some revenge against some tough teams.

By BOB PUTNAM

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 30, 2000

Stephanie Strickland still remembers the game that ended her junior season.

It was May 5, 1999, when her team, Seminole, traveled to play Sarasota in the regional semifinals.

The Warhawks lost 1-0, and Strickland had to endure a long bus ride home that was filled mostly with silence.

"I remember the whole game, inning by inning," Strickland said.

"It was frustrating to lose because we had our chances, but at least we know we lost to the best."

She isn't kidding.

In four of the past five seasons, the Warhawks have lost in districts or regionals to the eventual state champion

This season is playing out just like so many before. Again, the Warhawks lost to Countryside in the district final (8-2 on Friday). Again, Seminole travels to play Sarasota in regionals on Tuesday.

That much Strickland understands.

What she wants to know is if she'll finally get the chance to go to the state tournament instead of allowing other teams to do it at their expense.

In order to get through the playoffs and exact some revenge, the Warhawks must eliminate their miscues. Seminole committed six errors in its loss to Countryside on Friday.

"That's the main thing we need to get rid of, the errors," Warhawks coach Mark DeRuzzo said.

"I told the girls after the game (Friday) that I hope we bottled up all the errors and they don't spill over into the next two weeks."

For DeRuzzo, it has been a transitional year. He had to replace two key starters, Holly Groves (centerfielder) and Courtney Lewellen (catcher), who graduated from last season's team.

Plus, he had to insert two younger players into the lineup after Amy McFarlane didn't come out this year and Denae Messina was lost due to grades.

"To tell you the truth, I'm just happy we're back in the playoffs," DeRuzzo said. "We had a lot of rebuilding to do."

But the players who are still around from last season don't share that just-happy-to-be-here sentiment.

They want revenge.

Seminole missed its chance at getting back at Sarasota in the Dunedin tournament when it lost to Palmetto. Now this is the Warhawks' last chance.

"Our main goal is to face Countryside in the regional finals, but we're really looking forward to seeing Sarasota," Strickland said. "I know we can get it done. We just have to come out and play our A game.

"I know we're not done yet. So don't count us out."

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