PONYTAILS SOFTBALL
Two teams that fared fairly well last summer in Ponytails (ages 11-12) All-Stars, Spring Hill and Hernando, would via the law of averages naturally square off in their District 4 opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex.
Spring Hill 101
Spring Hill, under Head Coach Melissa Varela, rallied for the District 4 crown in West Pasco before finishing 2-2 at states in Brooksville.
All told, the West Hernando County team finished 5-3 overall out-scoring their opponents, 41-21.
This year’s Spring Hill Ponytails All-Stars team features: OF Marriah Adams, SS Sarah Brown, 3B Celine Cordon, OF/C Courtney David, OF Kayley DeCotis, 2B/OF Victoria Eland, C Brianna Harvey, 3B Sarah Kelly, 2B/OF Britney Rodriguez, P/1B Peyton Varela, P Kelli Wall and P/1B Kama Woodall.
Coach Varela will be assisted by Rich Woodall and Tony Brown.
In all, eight members of the team are returning all-stars including: Adams, David, DeCotis, Eland, Harvey, Kordon, Peyton Varela and Woodall.
Eland, DeCotis and Adams were Angels All-Stars in 2009.
All but DeCotis will be in uniform this week. DeCotis suffered a knee injury and is not expected to dress out.
Like Glenn Primavera, Coach Varela believes one of her team’s biggest strengths lies in their experience – especially on the hill.
“We have five strong pitchers who can throw pretty hard,” said Coach Varela. “They can throw strikes and they can make the ball move and change speeds.
“I see our biggest concern is staying focused and committed during the course of the game,” she added. “I don’t know if it’s just this age group, but we tend to have little breakdowns during the game.”
How pivotal is game one’s test against HYL?
“It’s very important,” stressed Coach Varela. “But last year we dropped our first game in New Port Richey and came back and won districts. I’d rather not do that again. I’m trying to keep our girls focused. If we don’t win (the opener), it’s not over.”
Who is the team to beat?
“I don’t know any of the other teams,” Varela said. “From what I hear it’s Hernando. I do know West Pasco is traditionally real tough.”
Hernando 101
Under Head Coach David Riddle, the 2009 HYL Ponytails finished 3-2 overall, finishing as state runners-up.
This time, Hernando features a 12-man roster including: P Rebecca Cozart, P/OF Madison Darby, OF Kaylee Frascatore, P/1B/2B Alyssa Gonzalez, C Chyloe Gonzalez, P/SS Kathryn Gonzalez, 3B/C Sydney Goodwin, OF Autumn Grieves, 1B/SS/P Kaeleen Koehler, 2B/OF Kelley Madden, OF Lindsey Miller and OF Krista Walker.
Head Coach Kay Cozart will be assisted by Ashley Leko and Greg Kirby.
Only a third of the roster – four players – are returning all-stars from last summer including: Koehler, Miller, Grieves and Frascatore.
Despite the lack of all-star experience, Coach Cozart likes her team’s pitching and defense.
“I like our pitching and our defense,” said Cozart. “All of our girls throw hard and throw strikes.
“Defensively, we’ve got a quick shortstop. If they play like they did during the season there should be no problem.”
“Putting the bat on the ball is my greatest concern,” said Coach Cozart. “We’ve got a little pop. We’ll be fine if we put the bat on the ball.”
What about the team opener against Spring Hill?
“It’s extremely important. It sets the tone for the rest of the tournament,” said Cozart. “I’d say the team to beat is Spring Hill, but West Pasco is always tough. If we can compete with those two then we have an awesome chance to win it.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT – Dixie Youth League District 4 Girls Softball Tournament.
WHO – Four teams in four age divisions (Darlings (ages 7-8), Angels (ages 9-10), Ponytails (ages 11-12), Belles (ages 13-15) in a double elimination format featuring: Hernando (HYL), West Pasco, Wesley Chapel and host Spring Hill.
WHERE – Anderson Snow Sports Complex.
WHEN – June 17-21 (weather permitting).
AT STAKE – District champion advances to July 8-11 Florida State Dixie State Championship at the Belleview Sports Complex.
Hernando Ponytails (ages 11-12) All-Stars
PLAYER POSITION(S)
Rebecca Cozart P
Madison Darby P/OF
Kaylee Frascatore OF
Alyssa Gonzalez P/1B/2B
Chyloe Gonzalez C
Kathryn Gonzalez P/SS
Sydney Goodwin 3B/C
Autumn Grieves OF
Kaeleen Koehler 1B/SS/P
Kelley Madden 2B/OF
Lindsey Miller OF
Krista Walker OF
Head Coach – Kay Cozart
Asst. Coach – Greg Kirby
Asst. Coach – Ashley Leko
Spring Hill Ponytails (ages 11-12) All-Stars
PLAYER POSITION(S)
Marriah Adams OF
Sarah Brown SS
Celine Cordon 3B
Courtney David OF/C
Kayley DeCotis OF
Victoria Eland 2B/OF
Brianna Harvey C
Sarah Kelly 3B
Britney Rodriguez 2B/OF
Peyton Varela P/1B
Kelli Wall P
Kama Woodall P/1B
Head Coach – Melissa Varela
Asst. Coach – Tony Brown
Asst. Coach – Rich Woodall
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at [email protected].
