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Class 2A final: Wewahitchka 4, Jax. Providence 1

By GREGG BECNEL

Tribune Correspondent

Published: May 8, 2008

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PLANT CITY – Wewahitchka won its second consecutive Class 2A state title after defeating Jacksonville Providence 4-1 Thursday in the championship at Plant City Stadium.

The Gators (27-2) did the majority of their damage in the bottom of the fifth inning, using four hits and two Providence errors to score three runs.

All told, the Stallions committed five errors.

"You can't do that against a good team," Providence coach Steve Callahan said.

Wewahitchka, which ended the season with a 15-game winning streak, got another dominating pitching performance from junior Samantha Rich.

"I was thinking, 'Just give me one run and I'll try my best to hold it," Rich said.

A day after tossing a two-hitter and striking out 18 in a semifinal win against Belle Glade Glades Day, Rich (22-2) gave up five hits and one walk while striking out 13.

"It was another great performance by Samantha," Gators coach Coy Adkins said. "Once we got the three runs, I felt pretty good."

Rich struck out seven of the first nine batters she faced.

"That pitcher was phenomenal," Callahan said of Rich. "She was the best pitcher we've seen this year, that's for sure."

The Stallions (26-4) got a run back in the top of the sixth on Katie Sambito's RBI single, but it wasn't enough.

"It's our first time [in the state tournament]," Callahan said. "I'm proud of what the girls accomplished this year."

The Gators extended their lead back to three in the bottom half of the sixth when Tori Bowles' RBI single made it 4-1.

While not nearly as dominating as Rich, Providence sophomore Jessica Childers (18-4) had an effective outing. She gave up eight hits and two walks while striking out three.

Amanda Robbins went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Gators.