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Pasco Welcomes Competition

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: April 2, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - Pasco coach Shamalene Broner had an eye on this portion of the schedule.

Not because she was looking ahead, but because of the level of talent that will be threatening her team's one-loss record. Pasco (17-1) already met and beat Land O' Lakes, 6-0, last Friday. This weekend, the Pirates will travel to Bartow for their Home of Champions Tournament.

On April 7, the Pirates will host Mitchell before traveling to River Ridge on April 14. The River Ridge game originally was scheduled for April 1.

As with any coach looking for success beyond the regular season, the prospect of big challenges intrigues Broner.

"It's actually good. I like that," Broner said. "I don't need those types of teams early in the season and not see good, quality softball going into the postseason."

TRAVEL BALL: Pasco won't be the lone team traveling to face unfamiliar foes.

The Pirates will face host Bartow and Tarpon Springs on Friday night beginning at 6. They'll also see Delray Beach American Heritage on Saturday at 10 a.m. and play another contest at 1 p.m.

Mitchell, although not traveling as far, will head to Zephyrhills to take on Warren County of Warrenton, N.C., tonight at 7.

In two weeks, Land O' Lakes and River Ridge will head to the 13th Annual Bill Longshore Memorial Softball Classic, hosted by Naples.

DO AS I DO: The Gulf roster is loaded with youth. There are six freshmen, two sophomores and four juniors.

Jamie McCullough and Jessica Santoli are the team's lone seniors.

After taking a 5-1 loss to River Ridge last week, Gulf beat Hudson, 16-3 and followed up with a 4-2 victory Tuesday night against Wiregrass Ranch. The Bucs will travel to Hernando for the Bears' Senior Night to wrap up the regular season.

Gulf coach Rick Hohenthaner credits McCullough and Santoli for pulling the group together.

"The fortune I have is for the last two or three years, I've had solid senior leadership," Hohenthaner said. "And it's no different this year.

"They are two seniors who try to lead by example. When you get in those tight games, they're there in the dugout saying, 'Hey, we still can win this game. We can still play tough. We're doing our jobs.'"

WHILE AT THE SPRING FLING: Although River Ridge did not take the Jon Sinclair Memorial Spring Fling Tournament championship back to New Port Richey, losing to Bloomingdale 6-0 in the finals, the Royal Knights did not return empty-handed.

Pitcher Lakyn Shull was given a $250 scholarship check and was the tournament's MVP runner-up.

Shull struck out 10 batters, went 1-0 and collected a save.

Coaches who want to add their team's information can contact Eddie Daniels by calling (813) 948-4214 or e-mailing edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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