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Class 3A Final: American Heritage 12, Lakeland McKeel 2

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By GREGG BECNEL

Tribune Correspondent

Published: May 6, 2008

PLANT CITY – Senior Melissa King went 3-for-3 with a double, triple and six RBIs to lead Plantation American Heritage to a 12-2 six-inning win against Lakeland McKeel in the Class 3A state championship Tuesday at Plant City Stadium.

It was the Patriots' third state title after winning back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005.

American Heritage (21-10) jumped to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third, highlighted by Brittany Propri's two-run double.

Freshman Bailey Castro hit her second home run in as many days (seventh of the season) to make it 6-0 in the fifth.

"I was just hoping for the best," Castro said. "I think it's exciting to be a freshman and get your first ring."

Castro's blast was only the beginning of the Patriots' outburst, as they sent 10 batters to the plate during the inning. King's bases-clearing double pushed the lead to 9-0.

"We had some timely hits and McKeel didn't," American Heritage coach Marty Cooper said. "That game could've gone either way if they could've gotten those types of hits."

McKeel (17-14) managed 10 hits off two Patriots pitchers.

"We didn't do some of the things I thought we needed to to beat American Heritage," Wildcats coach Larry Harvey said. "We hit the ball; we just didn't get the most out of them.

"But we don't have any reason to hold our heads down. The girls didn't quit. They got a taste of it. Hopefully now they'll want to get a gold medal instead of a silver one."

After McKeel plated two runs in the top of the sixth, King ended the game with a two-out three-run triple to right field.

"It was such a rush of emotion when I saw my teammates coming over to mob me," King said.

American Heritage had 14 hits off McKeel pitcher Cheyenne Benson (17-14). Sasha Horton went 3-for-4, while Beth Peller and Amanda Lonergan each had two hits.

W: Aimee Chapdelaine. L: Cheyenne Benson. 2B: Brandi Barnett (M); Brittney Propri, Moe King (AH). 3B: Moe King (AH). HR: Bailey Castro (AH). Team records: McKeel 17-14; American Heritage 21-10.

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