Hot start propels Dade City to softball victory

By STEVE LEE

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Dade City's Ashley Rogers belted a two-run home run over the left-centerfield fence in the bottom of the first Tuesday, highlighting the Pride's 8-5 win over Haines City.

Rogers, who had three hits and five RBI, also earned the win on the mound to lead Dade City's Senior Softball team to the District 4 Top Team championship at the Samuel Pasco Recreation Complex.

"We got two (runs) right away, so that kind of set the pace," Dade City manager Lisa Herndon said of Rogers' fourth homer, which followed a two-out walk to Heather Stroud.

Stroud, who earned two of the Pride's four wins in the tournament, pitched the final three innings in relief.

For most of Dade City's players, it marked the second Top Team title in three years. In 1998, Dade City won the Majors championship.

That team also won the District 4 all-star tournament. SPLIT PERSONALITY: West Pasco Marlins coach Dennis Laliberty wonders which team will show up for Friday's Senior Baseball game against Dunedin American.

Will it be the team that opened the District 12 Top Team tournament Friday with a 15-4 win over Safety Harbor National or the one that made five errors and allowed nine walks in Saturday's 17-7 loss to Countryside?

Laliberty is hoping for a repeat of "the first game, when we hit the ball all over the place."

In the win, James Priest, Rodney Linville and Matt Laliberty each had four hits, with Linville and Laliberty each driving in four runs. Kyle Renda went 2-for-3 with three RBI in the loss to Countryside.

ONE DOWN: The West Pasco Phillies won their District 12 opener in the Senior Softball division 20-1 over Oldsmar on Saturday.

The Phillies played Palm Harbor National Wednesday night at Fisher Field in Dunedin.

Ericka Ernst earned the win on the mound over Oldsmar, and Erin Hurka had three hits.

Rightfielder Laura Reeves and third baseman Shaunna Kortas were the Phillies' defensive standouts, according to coach Ralph Farmer.

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