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Diaz, Scott Lead Chamberlain Win

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By SCOTT PURKS

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 14, 2009

Updated: 03/14/2009 12:22 am

TAMPA - Plant and Chamberlain beat up teams pretty badly on a weekly basis, until, that is, the Panthers and Chiefs play each other.

Then it's tight and intense, with the winner usually making the fewest mistakes.

On Friday that team was Chamberlain, which beat Plant 4-1, giving the Chiefs a 2-0 record this season over its Class 5A-District 10 rival.

"We were sharp," Chamberlain coach Bob Diez said. "We work hard to stay sharp, but it's tough. I don't mean to degrade any of the other teams we play around here, but the fact is we don't get a lot of tough competition.

"That's why we really look forward to playing Plant. It's something we get up for. It's fun."

On the flip side, Plant coach Melissa Sigmon said it has been tough to figure how to mentally prepare her team for the Chiefs, who improved to 10-0.

"We've gotten too fired up and made it too much of a rivalry and gotten too tense," said Sigmon, whose team dropped to 7-2, the second loss a 3-0 setback to the Chiefs. "We've also taken the full other approach and gotten too relaxed. Tonight I don't think we were as focused as we should have been. I'll take the blame for that."

Plant starter Kayla Suskauer seemed a little less sharp than usual, giving up all four runs, seven hits and walking three in five innings.

Chamberlain sophomore Kaitlynn Diaz and freshman Ellen Scott did most of the damage, going a combined 5-for-6 and collecting all four RBIs.

The Chiefs got their three go-ahead runs in the fifth inning on two walks and three hits, including a leadoff double by the county's leading hitter, Marissa Menendez.

"Hey, I know we'll see Plant again in the districts and I know it will be a great game," Diez said. "We're looking forward to it."

Mustangs' Kline Tosses Shutout

NEW PORT RICHEY - Mitchell righthander Olivia Kline outdueled River Ridge sophomore sensation Lakyn Shull in a much-anticipated showdown between two of Pasco County's top teams, won by the home Mustangs 2-0.

Kline took a perfect game into the fourth and a no-hitter into the fifth, striking out eight in a complete game win for Mitchell (8-4), her fourth of the year. Sara Brock was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored, while Heather Muccino also had two hits and an RBI.

Shull, who entered 4-0 with a 0.74 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 372/3 innings, gave up a leadoff single to Brock, followed by a double from Cortney Radke, to set up the game's first run on a sacrifice fly by Allison Summers. In the sixth, Summers doubled off the left field wall and scored the game's final run, on a two-out single by Muccino.

The Mustangs (8-4) totaled eight hits in all against Shull and only struck out twice despite seeing fastballs consistently eclipse the 60 mph mark on a press box radar gun.

River Ridge (7-3) broke up the no-hitter on a looping single by Brianna Rish with two outs in the fifth. Audrey Abell got the team's only other hit on a bunt single.

Bart O'Connell

Bulldogs Rally Past Pirates

DADE CITY - Led by Brandy Welch and clutch pitching, the Zephyrhills Bulldogs edged the Pasco Pirates 3-2. The loss was the first of the season for the Lady Pirates after they had won their first 11 games. The Lady Bulldogs (7-4) used three pitchers in the victory, as Kaitlyn Hutchinson picked up the win and Lauren Pasquale collected her second save of the season. Samantha Crews went 2-for-3 with two steals in the win.

Trailing 2-0 going to the sixth inning, the first two Bulldog batters were retired, before Lacey Cook singled, Katelin Norris walked, and Geanna Arnold reached on an error, to load the bases. Then Welch came to the plate. Facing a full count, Welch lined a double into left-center field, clearing the bases and giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

"I was feeling pressure up at the plate, but I just told myself to hit the ball hard and see what happens. We're really excited about the win," Welch said.

Kenny Sanders

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