The rivals tagged a drama-filled back-and-forth affair that featured plenty of pitching and hitting. Tampa Catholic outlasted St. Petersburg Catholic 6-5 in 11 innings. Starting pitchers Tory Bohanan (TC) and Chloe Saganowich (SPC) each struck out 14 batters. Saganowich added a solo home run to center field and her sister Madison smacked a two-run homer. Barons teammate Kelsey Humphrey also hit a 2-run home run.
Tampa Catholic had its own big blast as Tara Revels hit a two-run home run also. But for all the pitching and big hits, the game came down to a simple play. Tampa Catholic earned the win when Amber Hay put down a bunt that scored Kathy Spack, who had reached base on an error.
Both teams advanced to the Class 3A region playoffs.
Other Bay area squads on the way to softball regional play include: Plant (Tampa), Palm Harbor University and Brandon in Class 6A. Tampa schools Gaither (Tampa) and Sickles (Tampa) lead the Bay area 5A participants, along with Boca Ciega (Gulfport), Pinellas Park (Largo), Seminole, Plant City and East Bay (Gibsonton).
Zephyrhills, River Ridge (New Port Richey) and Mitchell (New Port Richey), Pasco (Dade City) and Tampa schools Jefferson (Tampa) and Steinbrenner (Lutz) represent the Bay area in Class 4A.
Meanwhile, small schools advancing to regional play include Indian Rocks Christian (Largo) and St. Petersburg schools Northside Christian and Shorecrest Prep in 2A and Canterbury in Class A.
Best of the Bay area
Hillsborough (Tampa) track athlete Terrence Mitchell was not even supposed to compete in the 3A, District 9 meet. But not only did he compete with a swollen jaw as a result of an infected wisdom tooth, but he stole the show. Mitchell, a University of South Florida football signee, won the long jump, the 100-meter dash and the 400-meter dash while helping Hillsborough to the district crown. Mitchell also placed third in the triple jump. He had the tooth pulled two days later.
Meanwhile, Tampa Wharton’s girls track team collected its eighth straight district championship last week. The Wildcats won their latest, the 4A-6 event, with strong distance and sprint running. Abby Rittner won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter events while Stevondria Hardy took the 200 and 400 races.
Gaither (Tampa) softball pitcher Kristen McGrath threw a two-hitter as Gaither defeated neighborhood rival Sickles 4-0 in the Class 5A, District 9 title game. McGrath added two hits, including a double, and scored a run.
Recruiting notes
Sickles point guard Jordan Davis signed with Monmouth University in New Jersey. Davis, 5-foot-10, led the Gryphons to a 29-3 record and the Class 5A state finals – Sickles lost 53-41 to Bartow. He averaged 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds a game.
Also, Plant volleyball player Alex Johnson has orally committed to Georgetown. A junior, Johnson posted 329 kills last season and added 147 digs, 21 blocks and 37 aces.
Other Bay area happenings
Three former Bay area prep football players were drafted in last weekend’s NFL Draft.
Former Largo standout running back Dexter McCluster, who played collegiately at Mississippi, was selected by Kansas City in the second round. Robinson (Tampa) product Javier Arenas also was taken in the second round by Kansas City. Arenas was a defensive back and kick returner at Alabama. And former Palm Harbor University offensive lineman Ted Larsen became a sixth-round draft choice from North Carolina State by the New England Patriots.
Two veteran Bay area coaches reached milestones this past week. Plant (Tampa) softball coach Melissa Sigmon recorded her 200th career victory as the Panthers won the Class 6A, District 8 championship with a 12-2 win versus Brandon. Sigmon’s team opens regional play this week against Sarasota.
And Land O’ Lakes baseball coach Calvin Baisely picked up his 400th career win last week in an 8-1 win against Gulf (New Port Richey). Baisley, in his 26th season at the school, is 16-9 this season and the second seed in the upcoming 4A-8 district tournament.
