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31-0 Venice Rolls Into Class 5A Final

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A Tribune staff report

Published: May 8, 2008

PLANT CITY - Once again, it was all but perfect for Venice, which improved to 31-0 with a 7-0 victory against Lakeland Jenkins in Wednesday's Class 5A semifinal.

Most would agree Wednesday's sharpest weapon was Venice pitcher Stephanie Sullivan, who was perfect through Jenkins' first 11 hitters and struck out eight of them. 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."

The win sends Venice into tonight's 5A state title game against Jacksonville Bartram Trail, which beat Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 3-1.

Sandburg and Jenkins (24-5) 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 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.

Bartram Trail pitcher Molly Manning said she didn't have her best stuff, but what she had proved good enough.

With Manning's defense staying tight and the Bears' offense collecting nine hits, Bartram Trail (28-3) pretty much cruised to a 3-1 victory against Dwyer (22-9).

"I may not have been sharp, but I still felt great because I have so much confidence in my team," she said. "I know that we have a great team."

Scott Purks

Providence Advances, Will Play Wewahitchka

PLANT CITY - Jacksonville Providence defeated Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian 3-0 in a Class 2A state semifinal at Plant City Stadium.

The loss ended the Kings' 15-game winning streak.

Providence, making its first appearance in the state tournament, advanced to today's championship against defending state champion Wewahitchka.

Wewahitchka took another step closer to defending its state title when it defeated Belle Glade Glades Day 1-0.

The Gators (26-2) finally broke through with a run in the bottom of the fifth.

After leading off with a single and stealing second, Rebecca Barnes (2-for-2) stole third and scored after a throw was mishandled.

The one run was all the support Gators pitcher Samantha Rich (21-2) needed, as she gave up two hits and three walks. She struck out 11 of the first 13 hitters she faced and finished with 18 for the game.

Gregg Becnel

Keyword: Prep Sports, for a link to expanded state softball coverage.

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