PREP NOTEBOOK

By ROD GIPSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 7, 2000

TAMPA -- Chamberlain's softball team won't get a chance to better last year's runner-up finish in the state tournament. Costly errors derailed the Chiefs in a playoff game Thursday against Countryside. Chamberlain (27-4) played uncharacteristically, committing six errors that led to four runs in a 6-2 loss in the Class 5A, Region III semifinals.

Chiefs coach Bob Diez said perhaps his team's youth or nervousness led to the errors. Either way, the Cougars jumped on the opportunities. Countryside (27-1) scored on a dropped throw at first base, a wild pitch and throwing errors to first base that sailed high.

If there was any bright spot for Chamberlain, it was the play of Niki Trowell. Although she gave up 12 hits on the mound, she provided all of the Chiefs' offense. Trowell had a solo home run and an RBI single -- Chamberlain's only two hits of the game. Each hit resulted in the Chiefs' cutting Countryside's lead to one run, but each time, Chamberlain could get no closer. Trowell ends the year at 10-2.

Sickles, meanwhile, is still alive in the 6A playoffs after topping Orlando Colonial. The Gryphons (21-6) grabbed an early four-run lead and then held on for the 5-3 victory in the Class 6A, Region II semifinal game. Julie Henneke, Jessica Silver, Tiffany Clark, Tiffany Stewart and Laura Templeton all contributed on offense. Henneke, Silver and Clark each had singles and scored a run. Stewart had an RBI single, and Templeton had an RBI triple. Henneke, meanwhile, held the Grenadiers to six hits to pick up the win, her 14th of the year.

The win gave Sickles an interesting reward Saturday: a fourth meeting this year with 6A-7 district rival Bloomingdale. The Gryphons lead the series 2-1 with the loss being Sickles' only one at home this season. (For results, see the Sports section of today's Times.)

SIGNINGS: Two Leto football players have signed scholarships. Wide receiver/defensive back Rod Smith will play for Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead, Miss. Defensive lineman Kewon Foster will attend Itawamba CC in Fulton, Miss. A 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, Smith intercepted nine passes and scored four touchdowns last season as the Falcons advanced to the post season for the second straight year. Foster, 6-1, 220, had 52 tackles and eight sacks. Gaither wide receiver J.R. Russell announced his intentions last week, deciding to play at Louisville. And Sickles cross country runner Brian Taylor has signed a scholarship to run for the University of Tampa.

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