Mitchell's Stager Is On The Mend

NEW PORT RICHEY - Courtney Stager is a good four-plus months from setting foot on the campus of Florida State University to compete for a job as the Seminoles' catcher, but she already is reaping the benefits of her college connections.

Stager, who signed her letter-of-intent to play softball at FSU in November, broke a knuckle on her right hand while attempting to score last week against Countryside.

While sliding into the plate during the third inning of Mitchell's loss on Valentine's Day, Stager and the Cougars' catcher collided, fracturing Stager's pinky.

"I went back in the dugout, put on my gear and I was ready to play, and then I realized I couldn't play," Stager said. "It killed me, so my coach took me out."

Between innings, Stager caught for pitcher Cortney Radke, but on a throw to second base, it was apparent it was something more serious than a jammed finger.

"She could be back for Senior Night before districts," Mitchell coach Scott Bisbe said, "that's what we're hoping."

The night of the injury, Courtney called her sister, Ashley Stager, a freshman shortstop for the Seminoles.

"I called my sister right after it happened, crying to her, and she talked me through so much, telling me, 'You're going to be OK, Courtney, don't worry about it. You'll be fine,'" Stager said. "It just makes me feel so much better. It makes you sad, but at the same time you're happy that people are there for you and are helping you get through your hard time of not being able to play, which, my whole life is playing softball. She was a major part of it, too, my sister."

Then came the call to Florida State coach JoAnne Graf on Monday.

The hesitation that hovered inside Stager before the call quickly dissipated during the conversation.

"I thought she was going to be disappointed," Stager said. "I thought she was going to be kind of giving me grief about it, but she was really OK with it. She said that everything was going to be OK.

"She coached me through, taking the pain away of not being able to play. It's good to have her, even though I haven't known her that long. That makes me feel a lot better."

In four games, Stager hit .429 with seven runs scored, three RBIs and a .571 slugging percentage.

With at least six weeks to mend - three of which will be spent with a pink cast up to her elbow - Stager gets a chance to pass her knowledge to junior catcher Stephanie Palazzolo.

In addition to coaching mechanics, Mustangs assistant Rob Neelen told the senior she could call some pitches.

"I'm out there every day at practice, so it's not as bad as I thought it would be," said Stager, who was afraid she would lose her connection with the team by not playing. "It's so hard just watching them practice and wanting to go out there, but I just have to suck it up and wait the six weeks, and hopefully get back as soon as I can."