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Softball: Sharks Get Revenge In Rout Of Indians

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By NICK WILLIAMS nwilliams@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 12, 2009

GIBSONTON - The last time the East Bay and Riverview softball teams met, junior pitcher Kayla Cox struck out 15 batters to lead her Indians to a Class 6A-District 8 win.

Entering Wednesday's rematch, Riverview coach Angela Slater challenged her players to prove they could beat a high-caliber team. Her Sharks responded with a 10-0, six-inning upset against the first place Indians (8-5, 6-2).

"We had opportunities last time they came to our place," Slater said. "I told them we would not strike out in double digits again."

In the third inning Riverview scored six runs on six hits, sparked by Bianca Bell's two-run single, to take a 7-0 lead.

"We felt like we had an opportunity and we took an advantage of it," Slater said.

Bell went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a double, while sister Brianna Bell had two hits, two runs and one RBI. Senior designated hitter Chelsey Pachoud hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning and Bianca hit a RBI double to drive in her sister in the sixth to give Riverview (5-4, 5-3) its 10th run of the night.

Freshman pitcher Taylor McCoy tossed a one-hit shutout, striking out three batters.

Gators Hold On Against Knights

NEW PORT RICHEY - Leaving the team huddle, Land O' Lakes coach Jamie Martin looked drained.

Her first word after addressing her team: "Humbling."

The Gators pounded River Ridge in the first inning and nearly watched that work dissolve away in their 5-4 victory. The win puts Land O' Lakes (8-0) in the Class 4A-District 8 driver's seat, leaving River Ridge (7-2) as the likely No. 2 seed when the district tournament begins in April.

"I expected more, a lot more," Martin said. "These girls worked too hard to have one, maybe two good innings."

Already ahead 2-0, Land O' Lakes' Jessica Austin planted a shot over the left-center field fence, scoring two more runs. The Gators added another run in the sixth for a 5-0 lead.

River Ridge rallied in the bottom of the seventh, scoring all four of its runs in the frame, but fell just short as the Gators held on.

Eddie Daniels

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