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Holle Returns To National Tourney

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By NICK WILLIAMS The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

Chamberlain rising senior shortstop Samantha Holle can remember going to the ASA Fast Pitch National Tournament with her 14U softball travel team.

She felt honored to be among some of the best players in the country.

"You just feel special," Holle said. "You feel great about yourself."

Holle, who has committed to play at Florida and was a Tribune All-Hillsborough County first-team selection last season, is getting a second chance to play in the prestigious tournament as a member of the Tampa Mustangs 18U Holle travel team, but her squad isn't the only team from Tampa attending.

Eight area travel teams have qualified for the ASA nationals. Holle's team - along with the Tampa Mustangs 18U Walt team, the Tampa Wildcats 18U Jim team, Team Florida's 18U team and the New Port Richey-based Florida Knockouts and Bash Softball clubs - will travel to Moline, Ill., for the ASA/USA Girls Class A 18U Fast Pitch National Championship Sunday through Aug. 3. Team Florida's 16U team and the Mustang's 16U team will compete in the ASA/USA 16U Class A National Championship in Owensboro, Ky., Sunday through Aug. 3.

"It's the best feeling ever," Holle said. "We're so excited. I've been playing with the same group of girls for six years."

In three of the last four years, Team Florida coach Frank Arcuri has guided a core group of area players to the tournament. Seven of the original members from his 12U and 14U teams include Arcuri's daughter and Plant outfielder Erika, Bloomingdale's Kaelyn Castellanos, Riverview's Kayleen Boatwright, Newsome's Bailey Schinella and Sunlake's Alex Rogers. Arcuri is confident the 16U team will improve on last year's 17th-place finish.

"We just build off of what we've done," Arcuri said. "A lot of teams we play have good players, but they don't play well as a team. I think that gives us a distinctive advantage."

Holle is hoping her team, which includes Chamberlain pitcher Alex Hartshorn and Plant City pitcher Megan Still, will be successful in Illinois.

"We were pretty bummed we couldn't go last year," she said. "I think we can do well."

Reporter Nick Williams

can be reached at

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

or (813) 865-4848.

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