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Softball: Naples Reaches 4A State Final

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Scott Purks/The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 9, 2008

PLANT CITY -- Admittedly, Naples didn't have its best team this season, and yet the Indians are in today's Class 4A state final, playing for a chance to add a title trophy to its state-record nine.

"No, we may not be the most athletic," Naples coach Robert Iamurri said. "But we have done all the little things we needed to do. We have found ways to get some hits."

The Indians did so Friday at Plant City Stadium, beating Groveland South Lake, 6-3.

"I have to give them credit because (Naples) hit some pitches that I didn't think were hittable," South Lake pitcher Shaina Dent said. "I mean they did a great job hitting down on those balls, which is what you have to do."

Then Dent commended Naples pitcher Jaclyn Traina, who struck out 13 South Lake hitters, many with a drop-curve that Dent said surprised her team.

"We heard about her nasty rise ball, which was a great pitch," Dent said. "But that pitch (the drop-curve) was really tough."

Naples (27-3) plays today at 1 p.m. against Pembroke Pines, which is 30-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today.

"But we know what that's like," Iamurri said. "We've been ranked high (including last season) and been knocked off. Now we're in the position with nothing to lose. We're just going to go out and play hard and let it happen."

On Friday, Naples never trailed, holding leads of 3-0 and 5-1. South Lake did close each of those gaps to two runs, only to have Naples answer with at least one run in the following at-bat.

"Answering like that did give us a great deal of confidence," Iamurri said. "We just kept playing our game and I'm proud of them for that."

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