Berkeley catcher to sign with Bulls

By ROGER MILLS and Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 1, 2000

TAMPA -- Berkeley Prep senior catcher Kris Courier has orally committed to play at South Florida, his coach, Fred Pisano, said Wednesday.

Courier, the younger brother of retired tennis star Jim Courier, is expected to sign a letter of intent next week.

"What USF is getting here is a very athletic, strong and raw player who will only get better as he develops," Pisano said. "He has what it takes to excel at that level."

At 6 feet 1 and more than 200 pounds, the third-team all-state pick hit .485 with eight home runs and 41 RBI. "The thing about him is that he can hit for average and has excellent power driving the ball," Pisano said.

Courier, who throws right-handed but bats left-handed, has played several positions but spent the past season as catcher.

"Behind the plate is where I think he has his best potential," Pisano said. "He's going to be very good if he works at it, and I can tell you, he's a hard worker."

Four Hillsborough players named to all-state team

Berkeley Prep's Steve Gendron was named to the Class 2A all-state first team.

The senior shortstop, who has signed with Mississippi State, batted .531 with 36 RBI in helping lead the Bucs to the final four.

In addition, Armwood's Mike Pete was named to the 4A all-state first team. The junior went 9-3 with a 1.09 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 64 innings. In the post-season, he pitched the Hawks to a regional quarterfinal upset of Dunedin.

In softball, Riverview's Beth DiPietro and East Bay's Jennifer Strehl made the 4A first team.

DiPietro, a freshman pitched Riverview to a state title in only its second year of existence. For the season, she went 14-3 with a 0.49 ERA and 128 strikeouts.

Strehl batted .435 for the Indians in her senior season. She also scored 14 runs and drove in 9.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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