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Softball: Top Spots At Stake In District Showdowns

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By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: March 12, 2009

There could be a shift in the standings for two of Hillsborough County's toughest softball districts this week.

Tonight, Gaither (8-2, 6-0) will travel to Sickles (10-2, 5-1) in a battle between the first- and second-place teams in Class 6A-District 7.

The Cowboys, under first-year coach Laura Wolf, have been led by junior pitcher Kristen McGrath, who is 7-1 on the mound with a 1.96 ERA, and she has a team-best .448 batting average. She also leads the team with 13 hits, including four doubles and a home run, and has nine RBIs.

McGrath's twin sister, Megan, is the second-leading hitter on the team with a .375 average, 12 hits, eight RBIs and three doubles.

Sickles is led by its own set of twins in juniors and USF commitments Ashli and Courtney Goff. Ashli has a team-high 18 hits, including a home run, with a .409 average, while Courtney has 16 hits, a team-high 15 runs and a .390 average. Sophomore catcher Mya Anderson is becoming one of the top hitters in the area, with 15 hits, including two triples and a home run and a team-best 12 RBIs.

Alyese Stapf and Chelsea Oglevie are a combined 9-2 on the mound.

"We've been getting help when we need it, whether it be our pitching or our defense," first-year Sickles coach Phil Giarrizzo said. "Without the combination of both of those, we don't win games. If we win tonight, that puts is where we need to be."

On Friday, Chamberlain (8-0, 8-0) will play at Plant (7-1, 6-1) in a 5A-10 rivalry game. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 3-0 in the first meeting behind solid pitching from senior Alex Hartshorn.

Hartshorn (5-0) enters Friday's game with a 0.00 ERA.

Chamberlain, ranked third in the Miracle Sports Florida Softball all-class poll, has nine players hitting .400 or better this season, led by Central Florida-bound infielder Marissa Menendez, who is hitting .778 with 14 hits.

Michigan State commitment and junior infielder Sarah Bowling has been a force for the Panthers this season, with 11 hits, including two home runs, 12 runs and nine RBIs while batting .500. Sophomore infielder Reina Baluja has been a clutch hitter as well, with seven RBIs (second on the team) coming on five of her hits, including two home runs and a double. Senior pitcher Kayla Suskauer (3-1) enters the game with a 0.61 ERA.

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

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