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Class 5A: Venice 7, Lakeland Jenkins 0

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By SCOTT PURKS

Tribune Correspondent

Published: May 8, 2008

PLANT CITY -- Once again, it was all but perfect for Venice -- which after a 7-0 victory over Lakeland George Jenkins in Wednesday's Class 5A semifinal -- remains perfect in the won-loss column at 31-0.

Most would agree Wednesday's sharpest weapon was Venice pitcher Stephanie Sullivan, who was perfect through Jenkins' first 11 hitters, who struck out eight times. On the 12th hitter, Sullivan ran the count to 3-2 only to barely miss the outside corner. The only other Jenkins' hitter to reach base did so in the seventh inning with a single.

Sullivan's final line: Seven innings, no runs, one hit, one walk, 14 strikeouts.

"Tonight, Stephanie was Stephanie, just as she has been every time she has thrown this season," Venice coach Larry Sandburg said. "For that matter the whole team was how they've been all season. This was Venice softball."

Sandburg and Jenkins' coach Mike Powell both talked about how important it was to jump to an early lead, and then Powell commended Venice's No. 4 hitter, Chelsea Zgrabik, who crushed a fastball 230 feet for a two-run homer in the third inning. The shot made it 3-0 Venice and basically put the game out of reach.

"[Jenkins' pitcher Brittany Alderman] threw a great, and missed just a little bit on a couple of pitches," Powell said. "I have to give Venice credit, though, they took advantage of every little mistake. They sure did."

In the sixth inning, Venice No. 3 hitter, Maureen Sandidge, mashed another ball to the opposite field for another two-run homer.

At that point Jenkins (24-5) was facing season's end.

"But I'm proud of the way we kept fighting," Powell said. "We never did give up."

WP: Brittany Alderman (13K). LP: Stephanie Sullivan. HR: Chelsea Zgrabik, Maureen Sandidge (V). Records: Venice: 31-0; George Jenkins: 24-5.

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