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Decisive Loss Will Help In Long Run

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: March 12, 2009

TAMPA - As far as Bishop McLaughlin coach John Yaratch is concerned, Monday's 10-0 loss to Tampa Catholic is what it will take to elevate the level of softball for the Hurricanes.

"I think it's got to help us. You've got to play against the better teams to improve," Yaratch said. "If you can go out and beat teams that are just mediocre all the time, that doesn't prove anything. You don't grow as a ball team.

"This Tampa Catholic team is well-coached, they have a history and to play them is an honor, it really is. And there are a lot of things - like I just told the girls - we can watch them do that hopefully we'll pick up."

Although the game was shortened to five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule, Tampa Catholic coach Vern Tatum said he saw a lot of improvement in the Hurricanes compared to seasons past.

"Bishop McLaughlin is improving," Tatum said. "A much better team than last year. They're a new school, so it's going to take them a while, but I'm very impressed. Coach has done an excellent job with his team. It wasn't what we expected. It was much tougher than we thought."

STINGY BUNCH: Pasco has taken on the form everyone has grown to expect.

The Pirates (11-0) have been a stingy group when it comes to giving up the runs. They've surrendered just 12 runs on the season and just six of those have been earned. They can thank a combined 0.59 ERA between ace Colena Lazar (7-0, 1 save, 93 K's, 0.60 ERA), Courtney Brandt (4-0, 33 K's, 0.59 ERA) and Colesa Lazar (1 save, 2 K's, 0.00 ERA).

In addition to pitching, the Pirates defense has swooped up practically everything hit its way. The unit bears a combined .882 fielding average. Lucy Schneider (1.000 fielding percentage), Brandt (.972), Colena Lazar (.933), Colesa Lazar (.889) and Renae Reynolds (.889) lead the way on that front.

BULLS ALIVE: After playing in a fall league at Pasco-Hernando Community College, Wiregrass Ranch coach Amy Lipovetsky was excited to get her group on the field this spring.

Thus far, the Bulls (7-5) have collected more wins in school history. In fact, this season's win total eclipses what the school has managed since its inaugural season in 2007.

Magnifying this season's success is a come-from-behind, 11-10 victory against Gulf last week. The Buccaneers went ahead 10-4 in the seventh inning, but Wiregrass put up six runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. The Bulls scored the final run in the eighth.

"That showed them you can't ever stop," Lipovetsky said. "You can't ever give up. You can't underestimate yourself and your development. They go out there and they play hard every inning which is really important."

Helping the squad get to this juncture has been freshman P Mary Sorgenfrei, SS Regan Knapik, C Casey Raza and CF Julie Gould.

TRIBUNE TOP 5

1. Pasco: The Pirates haven't given up more than three runs in a game.

2. Land O' Lakes: Gators are averaging more than seven runs.

3. River Ridge: Has increased offensive power since first loss against LOL

4. Mitchell: Missed opportunity for top seed last week after beating Countryside and losing to Gaither

5. Wiregrass Ranch: Bulls continue to build on program's best season

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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