TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tampa Catholic Rolls, 10-0

ADVERTISEMENT

By EDDIE DANIELS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 9, 2009

TAMPA - Most coaches will admit, jumping out to big, early advantages in a game can be a gift and a curse. It's a pleasure to be in the driver's seat, but sometimes, those instances allow for the most interesting of choices.

Tampa Catholic's softball team had a seven-run advantage against Bishop McLaughlin in only two innings en route to a 10-0, five-inning victory Monday.

Outside of a handful of ill-advised swings, Crusaders coach Vern Tatum was happy with the level of leadership his group displayed.

"Meghan Nelson, our captain," Tatum said of his first baseman, "she was actually the first one to say, 'Coach, go ahead and put someone else in for me.' Alyse Johnson, our normal catcher, she came to me at the beginning of the game and said, 'Coach, let somebody else play in my spot.' It wasn't a district game and they knew we were a higher-caliber team."

Despite the difference in the teams, Tatum praised Bishop McLaughlin (4-4), saying the team has made improvements since last season.

Christina Martinez, who started the Tampa Catholic (6-2) onslaught, was driven in by Raven Sepulveda's single to left field in the bottom of the first. TC pitcher Tory Bohanan drove Sepulveda in on a single and Nelson drove in a pinch-runner on the next at-bat.

In the second inning, Kathryn Spack stole home as the Hurricanes defense unsuccessfully attempted to catch Martinez stealing second base. That pushed the Crusaders ahead 5-0. A wild pitch allowed Martinez to score.

The final run came in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Nadina Sola scored from third on an errant pitch.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT