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Wewahitchka Captures 2A Crown

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A Tribune staff report

Published: May 9, 2008

PLANT CITY - Wewahitchka won its second consecutive Class 2A state title by 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.

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.

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

"That pitcher was phenomenal," Providence coach Steve Callahan said of Rich.

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.

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

Providence sophomore Jessica Childers (18-4) 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.

Greg Becnel Bartram Trail Hands Venice Its 1st Loss

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

Manning struck out 15 in a complete game, allowing only one earned run on four hits. Manning started the game by hitting Indians leadoff batter Nicole Clark. However, Manning looked dominant in striking out the next eight Venice batters and ending the game striking out the side in the top of the seventh.
Bartram Trail opened the scoring on a two-out, bases-loaded single by Christie Bailey that scored Jessie Maladeena and Jordan Hatton, who was pinch running for Manning. An error on the play allowed the Bears' third run to score.

Bailey would also score 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.

Venice's Stephanie Sullivan pitched a complete game and allowed only two base runners after the first inning, striking out eight batters.

Jarrett Guthrie

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