DIXIE ANGELS SOFTBALL
SPRING HILL –
Spring Hill right-handers Abbey Primavera and Heather Shagoury chained the West Pasco Angels bat rack.
The Pasco County club was restricted Sunday afternoon at the muggy Anderson Snow Sports Complex to a 1-for-19 effort, as Spring Hill repeated as District 4’s Dixie Angels (ages 9-10) All-Star champion via a 3-2 win.
With the win, Spring Hill will advance to the Florida State Angels World Series beginning July 10 at the Belleview Sports Complex.
Only hit
West Pasco’s lone hit arrived on a two-out, fourth inning double by Demetria Rao, plating Julia Gerard, who reached on one of the three Spring Hill errors.
Three batters earlier, trailing 3-0, Givanna Rao reached on a three-base error and scored on a subsequent fielder’s choice off the bat of Ashley Autuori.
Shagoury, who worked the final three frames in relief of Primavera, fanned Ashlyn Patterson to leave Demetria Rao stranded in the fourth.
In the final frame, Shagoury retired West Pasco in order to complete Spring Hill’s three-game sweep in the four-team, double-elimination event.
Primavera (2-0) earned the mound win working the game’s first two scoreless innings behind three strikeouts and two walks.
Spring Hill jumped on starter Shelbi Land (1-2) for two quick runs in the first inning.
With Cerina Brooks aboard on a fielder’s choice, Primavera and Shagoury rapped back-to-back singles. Shagoury’s hit drove in Brooks, 1-0.
Catcher Breanna Blankenship rapped an RBI double to plate Primaavera, 2-0.
Following Blankenship’s double, West Pasco skipper Brian Jerard opted for his daughter, reliever Julia Gerard. Julia faced 20 batters over the next 4 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run.
In the third, Brooks reached on a leadoff walk. Primavera followed with a blast into left-center. Though the relay caught Primavera off second base, it permitted Brooks to dash home to pad Spring Hill’s cushion.
Spring Hill backed Primavera and Shagoury by converting 23-of-26 (88 percent) chances on defense.
“We fought hard,” said Coach Gerard. “This time we came to play. But every day somebody wins and somebody loses. I tip my cap to them. I could not have asked for more from a bunch of 10-year-olds. They played their hearts out.”
The postgame comments centered on defense and pitching.
“Our defense played really well,” said the 11-year-old Brooks, “No matter what happened, we worked together.”
“I was so nervous every time I threw a ball,” said the 11-year-old Shagoury, who earned the save. “I said to myself ‘I’ve got 110 percent confidence in my defense.’ They were good and made lots of plays.”
“It was harder to win districts this time,” explained the 11-year-old Primavera, who finished a game-high 2-for-2 at the plate. “The competition was much harder this time with West Pasco. They’re pretty good, especially No. 11 (Julia Gerard).”
“It was much harder to win (districts) this year,” added Spring Hill skipper Glenn Primavera. “I had a feeling going in West Pasco was gonna be much tougher this year and they were. That’s what makes this (win) that much sweeter.”
The key?
“The first inning runs,” replied Coach Primavera. “We came out ready to play and then the bomb that Abbey hit in the third probably went 180 feet. That run turned out to be the game-winner off a pitcher who came in throwing smoke.”
Spring Hill 3, West Pasco 2
123 45 R H E
WP 000 20 — 2 1 1
SH 201 00 — 3 6 3
WP – Land, Gerard (1) and Bell.
SH – Primavera, Shagoury (3) and Blankenship.
W – Primavera (2-0). L – Land (1-2).
2B – D. Rao (WP), Primavera, Blankenship (SH).
Records – West Pasco (2-2), Spring Hill (3-0).
Dixie Youth League Girls Softball Angels (ages 9-10) All-Stars District 4 Recap at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill
06-17:
Spring Hill 26, Hernando 0 (3 Inns.)
06-18:
Wesley Chapel 1, West Pasco 0
06-19:
Wesley Chapel 10, Hernando 0 (3 Inns.)
Spring Hill 11, West Pasco 4
West Pasco beats Wesley Chapel
06-20:
(Championship)
Spring Hill 3, West Pasco 2
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at [email protected].
