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Class 5A Final: Bartram Trail 4, Venice 2

Jarrett Guthrie/The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2008

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PLANT CITY - Jacksonville Bartram Trail scored four runs in the bottom half of the first, then relied on the pitching of senior Molly Manning as the Bears ended Venice's undefeated season and won the 5A softball title, 4-2.

Manning, a Villanova recruit, struck out 15 in a complete-game effort, allowing only one earned run on four hits. She started the game by hitting the Indians leadoff batter Nicole Clark, but looked dominant thereafter, striking out the next eight Venice batters. Manning ended the game by striking out the side in the top of the seventh.

After the game Manning (24-3) gave credit for her success this season and in the Bears' championship win to her catcher, Kelly Karshner.

"She (Karshner) tries to keep me going," Manning said. "In every win that I have, she has to have that win and I owe that to her in every single win that I have."

Bartram Trail opened the scoring on a two-out, bases-loaded, two-RBI single by Christie Bailey, scoring Jessie Maladeena and Jordan Hatton, who was pinch-running for Manning. An error on the play allowed the Bears' third run to score. Bailey also scored in the inning on another Venice error.

Venice was 31-0 entering the game and had not allowed more than two runs in a game all season. Bartram Trail coach Jen Harman said her approach Thursday game was no different than any other game the Bears had played all season.

"Our philosophy is to score early and often," Harman said. "And if we score early it allows us to slow down and let our defense take over so were not so antsy."

The Indians scored two runs (one earned) in the fourth inning when Maureen Sandidge singled for their first hit. Sandidge scored on an error on a Chelsea Zgrabik double. Zgrabik scored two batters later on an RBI single by Rebecca Juntunen.

Venice's Stephanie Sullivan pitched a complete game in defeat for the Indians, allowing only two Bears base runners after the first inning, striking out eight.