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Softball: Crusaders' title hopes fall in sloppy 10th

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A Tribune staff report

Published: April 24, 2009

TAMPA - For a while during Thursday's Class 3A-District 11 championship, it looked like the third time would be the charm for Tampa Catholic. But the Crusaders were unable to hold a four-run lead and fell to St. Petersburg Catholic 5-4 in 10 innings.

TC (15-3) has beaten everyone on its schedule except the Barons, who have won all three meetings this season. The Crusaders will open on the road in Tuesday's region quarterfinals.

Highlighted by Christina Piazza's two-run single, TC jumped to a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning. SPC (23-3) answered when Chloe Sagnaowich hit a two-run homer in the third, and Nikki Parker tied it in the fifth with a two-run triple.

The game remained even until two TC mistakes in the 10th proved costly. After the first two Barons reached base on errors, Shelby Ginty followed with the game-winning single.

"This was a great game," Crusaders coach Vernon Tatum said. "We did everything we had to do to win, except for those two errors. Those cost us the game."

TC would get a fourth shot at SPC in the region semifinals if both teams win Tuesday.

Gregg Becnel

Class 2A-District 9

Tampa Prep was a bit short-handed this week in the district tournament, with seven players - including three starters - out with a variety of illnesses. In the end, however, that couldn't stop the Terrapins from repeating as district champs.

Kirsten Kelsey struck out six and allowed only four hits in a complete game, and Isabel Dalance had a key two-run fifth-inning single in a 4-2 win against Indian Rocks Christian in the title game at the University of Tampa.

"A lot of girls stepped up and were great leaders and did what they had to do to win," Tampa Prep coach Jessica Grace said. "It just goes to show that we have a lot of multipurpose players, girls that can play the infield and the outfield and are able to step up when we need them in a different position."

Tampa Prep (9-11) scored its first two runs on a throwing error in the fourth, and Dalance made it 4-0 with a single up the middle the following inning. Kelsey carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh before the Golden Eagles mustered some offense. Both Indian Rocks Christian runs scored on Sarah Rappach's single.

Alex Lawson had three hits and Dana Malinowski two for the Terrapins.

Adam Adkins

Class 1A-District 11

ST. PETERSBURG - Host Canterbury easily rolled to its fourth consecutive district title with an 18-2 win against Academy at the Lakes. The game ended after 41/2 innings on the mercy rule.

The top-seeded Crusaders (18-6) scored three first-inning runs, added three more in the second, five in the third and put the game away with seven in the fourth. It was Canterbury's third win in as many games between the teams.

The Crusaders used every weapon available. They displayed power with Macey Hall's three-run homer followed by Jennifer Crosthwaite's triple. They also bunted and stole six bases. The Crusaders pounded out 14 hits in their four innings.

Academy (9-8) hurt itself with three errors, four hit batters and six walks.

Canterbury starter Emily Winesett (6-1) struck out three.

"We played well, especially offensively. We ran the bases very well," said Canterbury coach Jody Moore, who has led her team to four district championships in four seasons.

Both teams advance to regional play, with Canterbury to play at home Tuesday. The Crusaders are seeking a second consecutive final four spot.

Mike Moore

Class 1A-District 9

LAKELAND - Seffner Christian used a four-run sixth inning to rally past Lakeland Sonrise Christian 13-12 on its way to back-to-back district championships.

Abby Galloway started the sixth with a single - the first of four consecutive hits - and Seffner scored three runs on throwing errors. Kelsey Schubel hit what proved to be the game-winning single to score Nicci Hopps.

Hopps went 2-for-3 with a home run. Schubel went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

Cayla Skeans hit a grand slam for Sonrise.

Blake Hasenzahl

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