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Softball Helps Plant's Mischo Battle Back From Tragedy

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Plant senior softball player Lizzy Mischo survived the car accident that killed her friend Allyson Faulk last November.

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 4, 2009

TAMPA - Lizzy Mischo remembers seeing her friend Allyson Faulk at one of her first high school softball games during her freshman year.

Faulk sat in the stands holding a cheetah-print umbrella with stylish sun glasses covering her face.

It's those memories that Mischo will never forget.

On Nov. 14, Mischo and Faulk, both seniors, were two of four Plant High teens involved in a car wreck near Gainesville. While driving to a football game at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Faulk lost control of a Ford Expedition and the SUV hit several trees and caught on fire, killing Faulk and injuring the other three passengers.

Mischo suffered a chipped bone in left shoulder, had several bruises on her legs and hip, and required stitches in her chin.

Once she returned, school was never the same.

"It was tough coming back to school," Mischo said. "A lot of things reminded me of her."

Softball has been therapeutic.

Seven games into her senior season, Mischo, Plant's starting third baseman, is batting .182 with two hits, six runs and three RBIs.

"(My shoulder) hurt a little bit when I started throwing, but I was OK," Mischo said. "I thought softball kept my mind busy."

"I'm not surprised she's playing this season," Plant coach Melissa Sigmon said. "Once we figured out what her injuries were, I didn't think they would hold her back. Any way to stay close with friends and stay busy is therapeutic for anybody."

Mischo said she has dedicated this season to Faulk and the team has printed Faulk's initials on their helmets. Along with teammates Kayla Suskauer, Sarah Bowling and Courtney Kraemer, who also knew Faulk, Mischo regularly visits Faulk's grave.

Last season, Mischo and the Panthers were one win away from playing in the state tournament. Mischo said Plant is just as capable of making the tournament this season.

"I know she wouldn't want me to miss my senior year," Mischo said.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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