DIXIE ANGELS SOFTBALL 293312
A funny thing happened to Spring Hill’s Dixie Youth League Angels (ages 9-10) softball all-stars last year in the Dixie World Series.
After mauling eight opponents in the Sunshine State in 2009, Spring Hill was exposed in 11-team World Series finishing a pedestrian 2-2.
Meanwhile, Tennessee breezed through the tourney brackets and toted home the tallest trophy.
A year later?
Spring Hill’s Angels enter Saturday’s first-round of the Dixie World Series sporting (you guessed it!), another perfect 8-0 won-lost record.
Eleven teams begin the quest for an Angels World Series banner beginning Saturday in the double elimination format featuring: Sand Mountain National, Ala.; Jones County National, Ga.; Hanahan, S.C.; Dunn, N.C.; Madison Central, Tenn.; Spring Hill, Fla.; Halifax American, Va.; Ponchatoula, La.; Crosby, Tx.; East Central, Miss. and host Vancleave, Miss.
According to Spring Hill Angels Head Coach Glenn Primavera only two teams return to the World Series — his team and the defending champs from Tennessee.
Spring Hill 101
Primavera’s 2010 team consists of: OF Miranda Arroyo, 2B/C Bre Blankenship, 3B Cerina Brooks, OF Emily Kolwicz, OF Madyson Lamp, OF Megan Nelski, SS Abby Oliver, C Paige Pfent, P/1B Abbey Primavera, P/OF Melanie Rogers, P/OF Heather Shagoury and 1B/SS Chayse Skinner.
Brian Blankenship and Jim Rogers serve as assistant coaches.
Coach Primavera’s squad opens the tourney with an 11 a.m. tilt against Halifax, Va.
For a team that has out-scored the opposition this year by an average score of 10-1, or 83-7, what’s the biggest difference from last season?
“Six kids are back from last year’s team,” said Coach Primavera. “But the difference in the kids is night and day. They’ve all improved so much.”
“We’re expecting to face quality teams starting with Virginia,” said Coach Primavera. “I think the two best teams in the field will be Tennessee and us. Tennessee has less returning players than we do. Fortunately, both teams are on different sides of the bracket.”
“So far what we’ve learned about this team is we can the ball and with authority,” explained Coach Primavera. “It’s one thing to hit the ball in practice; it’s another to do it in a game. When the ball is jumping off your bat, then you’re doing something. That’s exactly what was happening at states in Belleview. Even our outs were hit with authority. That bodes well.”
How’s the preparation gone?
“We practiced off live pitching and we probably played the equivalent of 4-5 games,” Primavera said. “Chayse (Skinner) and Cerina (Brooks) have done a terrific job setting the table for the middle of the lineup. Health-wise everyone is fit. (pitcher) Abbey (Primavera) was hit by a pitch, but she’s fine and we have no sick kids.”
According to Coach Primavera who did not provide any stats, Abbey Primavera has hurled 15 innings without allowing a hit or a run while issuing five walks.
Tourney opener vs. Virginia
“I know very little about our first opponent (Virginia),” said Coach Primavera. “I do know they’ve had a lot of time off since states. They were one of the first teams to qualify for the World Series. I do know they had a couple of close games at states while we rolled through our games.”
How’s Coach Primavera selling this tournament?
“We have a legit shot of winning the whole thing,” said Primavera without hesitation. “It’ll take the timely hitting, pitching defense and a little luck.
“The key is using our pitchers carefully,” he added. “Fortunately, the other teams are struggling with the same decisions we are.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT – Dixie Youth League Girls Softball Angels (ages 9-10) World Series.
WHO – Eleven teams in a double elimination format featuring: Sand Mountain National, Ala.; Jones County National, Ga.; Hanahan, S.C.; Dunn, N.C.; Madison Central, Tenn.; Spring Hill, Fla.; Halifax American, Va.; Ponchatoula, La.; Crosby, Tx.; East Central, Miss. and host Vancleave, Miss.
WHERE – Vancleave, Miss.
WHEN – July 31-Aug. 4 (weather permitting).
AT STAKE – World Series champion.
Spring Hill Angels (ages 9-10) All-Stars
PLAYER POSITION(S)
Miranda Arroyo OF
Bre Blankenship 2B/C
Cerina Brooks 3B
Emily Kolwicz OF
Madyson Lamp OF
Megan Nelski OF
Abby Oliver SS
Paige Pfent C
Abbey Primavera P/1B
Melanie Rogers P/OF
Heather Shagoury P/OF
Chayse Skinner 1B/SS
Head Coach – Glenn Primavera
Asst. Coach – Brian Blankenship
Asst. Coach – Jim Rogers
2010 Spring Hill Angels Softball Recap
Head Coach – Glenn Primavera (8-0)
Date Opponent Site Results
06-17 Hernando# Home W 26-0
06-19 West Pasco# Home W 11-4
06-20 West Pasco# Home W 3-2
07-09 Marianna^ Away W 3-0
07-10 Belleview^ Away W 10-0
07-10 Hardee^ Away W 11-1 (4 Inns.)
07-11 Wahneta^ Away W 10-0 (5 Inns.)
07-12 Belleview^ Away W 9-0
TOTALS 83-7
# District 4 Tourney @ Anderson Snow Sports Complex.
^ State Championship @ Belleview Sports Complex.
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at [email protected].
