TOP TEN SOFTBALL POLL
March 24
- TAMPA CHAMBERLAIN (12-0) – The only remaining unbeaten softball team in Tampa Bay also is its best. Get a load of run totals posted by the Chiefs this season: 14, 15, 18, 14, 18, 16, 10, 14, 16. Ellen Scott (.552 BA), Marissa Menedez (.750) and Amanda Gunter (.591) have led the offense while pitchers Angela Kafalas and Alex Hartshorn have been virtually untouchable. Chamberlain is preparing to play at the Kowboys Klassic tournament in Kissimmee.
- PINELLAS PARK (16-2) – Pinellas Park’s top accomplishment this season? Already defeating rival Palm Harbor University twice. And since a lost to Tarpon Springs East Lake two weeks ago, the Patriots have posted four wins by a margin of 49-1. Sara Nevins is hitting .520 with an area-best four home runs and also is 15-2 on the mound with 194 strikeouts in just 18 games. Pinellas Park has remaining games against Seminole Osceola, Tarpon Springs and Tarpon Springs East Lake.
- PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY (15-2) – Despite the losses to Pinellas Park, PHU remains in first place in Class 5A-9 with one more district win than their rival. Freshman pitcher Taylor Sabol has been a pleasant find becoming the staff ace. The Hurricanes are hosting a six-team local public school tournament for Spring Break.
- TAMPA PLANT (11-2) – The Panthers season can be split in two parts: against Chamberlain and teams not called Chamberlain. Against the Chiefs, Plant is 0-2 with only one run scored. Against other squads, Plant is 11-0 with a 133-0 run advantage. Plant’s Courtney Croney (.500 BA) and Reina Baluja and Sarah Bowling (3 HRs each) have been the offensive leaders. Plant is playing at the Spring Fling tournament next week.
- TAMPA SICKLES (12-3) – The Gryphons have one loss in their last eight games and have a 2-1 win against Class 6A, District 7 rival Tampa Gaither. Sisters Courtney (.373 BA) and Ashli (.396) Goff have been outstanding at the plate while Chelsea Oglevie (6-1) and Alyses Stapf (5-2) have been dominant hurlers.
- PLANT CITY (16-3) – The Raiders are the top squad in Class 6A, District 8. MacKenzie Audas (6-1, 0.58 ERA) and Megan Still (8-2, 77 strikeouts) have been outstanding pitchers for Plant City. Also, speedster Tara Thomas has 26 stolen bases to go with a .508 batting average. Plant City still has another meeting with Gibsonton East Bay (the first team to defeat Plant City this season).
- DADE CITY PASCO (13-1) – The top team in nearby Pasco County, the Pirates’ lone blemish is a 3-2 loss against rival Zephyrhills. Pasco’s power brigade is led by Colena Lazar, who is hitting .472 with 20 RBI. Teammates Sarah Burchfield (.464 BA) and Lucy Schneider (.553) have been solid as well. Still remaining for Pasco: Land O’ Lakes, New Port Richey River Ridge and New Port Richey Mitchell.
- LAND O’ LAKES (9-1) – The Gators have wrapped up the top seed in Class 5A, District 7. Like cross-county rival Pasco, Land O’ Lakes has only loss once – a 3-2 loss to Zephyrhills. The Gators’ pitching and defense has allowed just eight runs all season and Michelle Bradley and Jessica Austin have combined for 30 hits and 28 RBI. The Gators still have to face Mitchell and Pasco during the regular season.
- TAMPA GAITHER (10-4) – The Cowboys are tied with rival Sickles with seven wins in Class 6A, District 7. With a remaining contest against them, they’ll have to win for a shot at the district tournament’s top seed. Kristen McGrath has been a constant for the Cowboys with a .463 batting average on offense and 60 strikeouts as a pitcher.
- ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC (14-3) – The best of the area’s private schools, the Barons are on a nine-game winning streak. SPC has been led by Chloe Saganowich’s 10-2 and 0.56 ERA on the mound and her .660 batting average at the plate. Her sister Madison (.660 BA) and teammates Shelby Ginty (.408), Nikki Parker (.405) and Kristy Fudge (.400) have all contributed.
The next best teams…
Clearwater Countryside (10-3), Tarpon Springs East Lake (11-5), Zephyrhills (10-4), Lithia Newsome (13-3), New Port Richey Mitchell (12-4).