Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
If Land O'Lakes beats East Bay today, the softball team advances to the state tournament next week in Auburndale.
By STEVE LEE
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 5, 2001
LAND O'LAKES -- Coach Jerry English does not anticipate another no-hit shutout like Ashley Patton gave the Land O'Lakes softball team in Thursday's 4-0 win against Bradenton Southeast.
Nonetheless, English has not ruled out beating the state's top-ranked Class 4A team in today's regional final at East Bay at 4 p.m.
"It'll be a challenge," English said. "You're not going to get a whole lot of hits against East Bay. You're not going to get a lot of runs."
Land O'Lakes (19-10) has been hot and cold in the playoffs, scoring three runs in two district games before totaling 11 runs in two regional contests.
Patton, a senior who had one of the Gators' seven hits Thursday, realizes it will be especially tough to hit Indians pitcher Mandy Schuerman. The East Bay ace tossed a no-hitter against Bradenton Southeast in the district final and had 12 strikeouts in a 13-0 regional semifinal win over Tampa Bay Tech.
But, like her coach, Patton (16-8) does not feel the Indians are unbeatable. "I think if we play just like we did (Thursday) and get a couple more hits, we'll definitely be at the state playoffs," Patton said.
Today's winner advances to the state tournament, set for Wednesday and Thursday in Auburndale.
The Gators have been to the state tourney three times. They were state runners-up in 1971 and 1979 and lost to Lake Wales in the 1995 state semifinals.
Catcher Jen Savage, the only other senior on the team, said there was only one way to approach today's game: "We need to just go out there and have fun. That's the only way."