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Pirates Doing Some Fine-Tuning

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By EDDIE DANIELS edaniels@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 26, 2009

DADE CITY - If you thought Pasco's 14-1 record was impressive before, it might look even better when you factor this in: The Pirates have yet to lock into a regular starting nine.

Despite practically everyone on the roster getting game experience, the Pirates have just one loss, which came two weeks ago against Zephyrhills.

"Every day is a different day," Pasco coach Shamalene Broner said. "A lot of times, I don't set my lineup until I see how they're doing in warm-ups. Sometimes I wait just that late.

"I just don't see the desire, the fire to want to battle for a spot, and they know it's not a set lineup. I don't know what it's going to take, but maybe we'll find it eventually."
Broner believes that loss to Zephyrhills on March 13 nudged the Pirates in the right direction.

"It's just a matter of playing from the beginning," Broner said. "I always tell them, you have to start from the beginning. You can't wait for the fifth inning, sixth inning, seventh inning to start trying to get it going. You have to start from the first pitch.

"We'll be all right. I think it was kind of a wakeup call for us, and we've been building on that. And that's what it takes a lot of times, to let them know they're not invincible."

MAIN EVENT: Friday night will be a major showdown in the Pasco County softball world, when Land O' Lakes visits Pasco. They are the top two teams in the Tribune's Top 5. The Pirates will be three games removed from its only loss, and Land O' Lakes will be two games removed from its loss to the Bulldogs.

It could be a pitcher's duel between Gators ace Michelle Bradley (5-1, 73 Ks, 0.69 ERA entering tonight's game against Sunlake) and Pasco's Colena Lazar (8-1, 114 Ks).

BULLDOGS ON ROLL: When the season started in February, Zephyrhills coach Craig Milburn wasn't sure what to expect. He knew pitching would be an issue, with Kaitlyn Hutchinson coming off knee surgery. Milburn also was replacing six seniors who were heavy contributors from last season.

After losing three of their first five games, the Bulldogs (11-4) have won nine of their last 10. Two of those wins - against Pasco and Land O' Lakes - were eye-openers. The team has 105 hits, including 28 doubles and eight home runs.

Hutchinson has gone 5-1 with 30 strikeouts in eight appearances, while Lauren Pasquale is 4-0 with six saves, 44 strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA.

KNIGHT TIME: River Ridge took its show on the road last week, winning the Alachua Santa Fe tournament. The Royal Knights beat Mayo Lafayette, 4-0; Santa Fe, 9-2; Bluffton (S.C.), 10-0; and Santa Fe, 4-2 in the final.

OUT-OF-TOWNERS: Zephyrhills will host two out-of-town teams this weekend, starting Friday night. Here's the schedule:

Zephyrhills vs. Miami Gulliver Prep, 7 p.m. Friday; Space Coast vs. Zephyrhills, 10:30 a.m. Saturday; Space Coast vs. Gulliver Prep, 12:15 p.m. Saturday; and Gulliver Prep vs. Mitchell, 2:30 p.m., Saturday.

Coaches who want to add their team's information can contact Eddie Daniels

by calling (813) 948-4214 or e-mailing

TRIBUNE TOP 5

1. Land O' Lakes (10-1): Gators bounced back from first lost with a 10-0 victory against Central.

2. Pasco (14-1): On a three-game win streak and host Land O' Lakes on Friday.

3. Mitchell (12-4): Since losing to Gaither on March 5, Mustangs are 6-0.

4. River Ridge (13-3): Royal Knights are fresh from a tournament championship and riding a six-game win streak.

5. Zephyrhills (11-4): Seven wins in a row, including against Pasco and Land O' Lakes, have Bulldogs surging.

edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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