West Pasco claims three Dixie titles

After missing the deadline last year to enter the Dixie Softball League State Tournament, West Pasco comes back with a vengeance and captures titles in the Belles, Angels and Darlings divisions.

By STEVE LEE

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 6, 2000

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Despite a one-year absence, West Pasco teams did not miss a beat as the league claimed three of five titles in the Dixie Softball League State Tournament.

"Dixie (officials) didn't allow us to play because of a paperwork malfunction," former West Pasco president Sue Lee said of last year's state series.

West Pasco championships in the Belles (ages 13-15), Angels (9-10) and Darlings (7-8) divisions, Lee said, "shows the depth and the heart the league has."

"We like our softball," West Pasco president Kelly Skulas said, adding that a one-year hiatus from the state tourney "gave the kids a yearning to come back and show that we were a presence."

The tournament marked the first time in the league's 25-year history that one community hosted all six divisions (only exhibition games were played in the Sweeties division). But while host Zephyrhills made history, West Pasco stole some of the thunder by winning three divisions.

"They're a strong program. I think we played them well," East Pasco Darlings coach Brenda Arnold said after her team's 16-7 loss to West Pasco in the Darlings final.

East Pasco pitcher Lindsay Arnold, who combined with Jordan Mast for a 17-6 semifinal win over Hernando, had nine strikeouts in the final game.

East Pasco's Kate Patton and Christin Boettcher each hit home runs in the series, and teammate Stephanie Patterson had two triples.

The West Pasco Darlings dominated all three playoff games, outscoring their opponents 48-9.

West Pasco pitcher Siara Seymour had 19 strikeouts and Jessica Tamburri batted .800. Teammate Jessica Garcia went 4-for-6 and walked three times.

West Pasco and East Pasco also met for the Angels division title with West Pasco winning, 12-0.

Christina Skulas and Jenna Vinci combined on a three-hit shutout and Skulas helped her own cause with a three-run home run. The West Pasco Angels averaged nearly .500, thanks to leading hitters Christina Skulas (.938), Amy Petrella (.909), Katie Schluman (.838), Courtney Guercio (.800) and Tenisha Dixon (.778).

Skulas also finished with 23 strikeouts while Vinci and Patricia Dobraski combined for 25. The West Pasco Belles' season is not over. The team, which beat Okeechobee 7-5 in the state final, will play in the DSL Belles World Series Aug. 4 in Lawrenceville, Va.

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