W. Pasco seniors advance to District 12 final

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 12, 2000

The West Pasco senior all-star team scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Palm Harbor 8-7 on Monday and is now just one victory away from winning its third District 12 championship in five years.

"It was one of the most exciting games as far as suspense from first pitch to last out -- in this case, the last run," West Pasco manager Rick Hohenthaner said.

West Pasco trailed Palm Harbor 5-1 in the fifth inning before Erica Ernst, who was 0-for-3, hit an RBI double and began a five-run rally which was capped by Brittnee Williamson's three-run homer to rightfield.

Catcher Keri Longnecker threw out two Palm Harbor base runners in the top of the seventh.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Belinda Hatch hit a single up the middle to score Longnecker and Williamson to end the game.

Pitcher Kim Deeb earned her second victory in as many games.

She pitched the first six innings, was taken out in favor of reliever Mariah Wolfe, only to replace Wolfe with two outs in the final inning.

Deeb allowed seven hits and no walks while striking out four in 61/3 innings pitched.

"She has absolutely dominated," Hohenthaner said. "She's kept the other teams off-balance and that's been a big plus."

Williamson finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and a home run while Hatch went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI.

"Yesterday there were heroes up and down the lineup," Hohenthaner said. "Even the ones on the bench had a hand in it."

West Pasco plays either Palm Harbor or East Lake in the District 12 championship at 7 p.m. on July 17 at Fisher Field in Dunedin.

Either opponent would have to beat West Pasco twice for the opportunity to go to the sectional tournament later this month in Fort Myers. West Pasco's senior all-stars won the District 12 championship 1996 and 1997.

"At this point, every girl on this team is now focused on the one true trophy and that's the district championship," Hohenthaner said.

In addition to the senior league team, West Pasco's little league team plays Palm Harbor American at 6 p.m. today.

West Pasco beat East Lake 9-5 on Saturday to remain in the winner's bracket.

Either Samantha Rambo or Janelle Doscher will pitch against Palm Harbor, manager Karen Staggs said.

"They seem to be a pretty good team," Staggs said of Palm Harbor. "They were able to play a very good game against Safety Harbor. We're just going to go out and play consistent softball, try to not make too many errors."

West Pasco junior and 9-10 played on Tuesday. Both teams had lost on Saturday and faced elimination. Results were not available.

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