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Hernando Today

A Return Engagement

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

The Hernando Debs (ages 16-18) All-Star softball team features first row (left to right): Jessica Kreider, Ch’antia Sanders, Amber Suiters, Elizabeth Letts, Heather Roush and Brittany Rudy. Back row: Head Coach Paul Sinwelski, Destinee Mormando, Mary Ellen Langley, Assistant Coach Jim Langley, Brittany Parker, Meredith Hanshaw, Assisant Coach Richard Hayden, Stephanie Sinwelski and Kathy Hayden.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: August 1, 2008

A year ago, Hernando's Dixie Youth League Debs (ages 16-18) All-Stars softball team dropped its first game in the Dixie World Series, but battled back to finish as tourney runner-up.

This time, with nine returning members of that team in tow and perhaps a pinch more versatility, the question remains can they duplicate or possibly surpass the 2007 efforts?

The answer begins Saturday at 10 a.m. in opening round of the 11-team Dixie World Series as Hernando, aka Team Florida, faces the host team from Alexandria, La.

The other nine teams in the week-long, double-elimination format includes: Tishomingo County, Miss.; Caldwell Parish, LA; Denison, Texas.; Humphreys County, Tenn.; Muscle Shoals, Ala.; Georgetown County, S.C.; South Hill, Va.; West Brunswick, N.C; and Horatio, Ark.

Untested at states?

To reach the World Series, Hernando rolled over its three opponents at the July 4-7 State Championships at Belleview Sports Complex by a combined score of 54-0.

Head Coach Paul Sinwelski's team hit a combined .500 for the event collecting 45 safeties in 90 at-bats.

Hernando High's Alex Hayden led the club rapping four hits in five official at-bats for a .800 average, including six runs batted in.

Ex-Springstead Destinee Mormando went 7-for-9 overall and was right behind Hayden at .778.

Elizabeth Letts (.667), Ch'antia Sanders (.600) and Brittany Parker (.571) - all hit over .500.

Yet was Hernando that dominant? Or were they really tested?

Mormando hit over .300 her final three seasons at SHS. Hayden, in her first varsity season, hit .339.

But Parker his .259 this spring at HHS, the defensive-minded Sanders his .205 and Letts played junior varsity.

"You wonder if we got tested," explained Coach Sinwelski. "But we've got nine girls back from last year's team and the three new girls (Amber Suiters, Parker and Sanders) have strengthened us offensively and defensively.

"Sure, we don't have (three-time All-County selection) Ari (Lowman) pitching this year, but we've got some kids that are capable of carrying the load."

To that extent, Hernando utilized five hurlers at states including the HCA tandem of Meredith Hanshaw and Mary Ellen Langley, who divided the three mound wins.

Hanshaw/Langley twirled 9.2 innings and fanned 19 batters against four walks.

Defensively, Sinwelski credits his increased depth giving his club better flexibility.

"We have 4-5 kids who can play any position," he remarked. "The hardest part of my job is who do we put on the bench first. Here, everybody can play and everybody can play different spots."

Intangibles

What about playing on the road away from home for possibly a week with a group of 12 teenage girls?

"The key is keeping them busy during the tournament's down time," replied Sinwelski. "Whether we go bowling together or just see some of the local sites, staying confined to a hotel on the road is an issue."

What are the keys to extended stay in Cajun Country?

"Like most sports, it's a matter of making plays," answered Sinwelski. "If the other team has a good pitcher, it's all about putting the ball in play or bunting the ball. You have to put some pressure on he other team."

General outlook?

"I have all the confidence in the world in this group," he said. "Last year, we got beat by Louisiana 10-0 and when we played them again, we beat 'em 7-4, so anything can happen.

"We want to win the World Series," said Sinwelski emphatically. "The girls believe they're a lot stronger than last year. Getting here and experiencing this is all they've talked. I just want them to seize the moment. Make no mistake about it; we're going there to win this tournament."

2008 HERNANDO DEBS (AGES 16-18) SOFTBALL STATS
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

HITTING STATS (thru 3 games)
NAME GP AB R H 2B 3B    HR RBI .AVG
Hayden 03    05 04 04 02 01 00 06 .800
Mormando 03 09 06 07 00 02 01 05 .778
Letts 03 06 04 04 00 00 00 03 .667
Sanders 03 10 05 06 00 02 00 04 .600
Parker 03 07 05 04 00 00 01 04 .571
Kreider 03 08 08 04 00 00 02 02 .500
Rudy 03 06 04 03 00 00 00 01 .500
Langley 03 10 07 04 00 00 00 03 .400
Hanshaw 03 08 04 03 00 00 00 02 .375
Sinwelski 03 06 02 02 00 00 00 00 .333
Suiters 03 07 03 02 00 00 00 00 .286
Roush 03 08 02 02 00 00 00 00 .250
TOTALS      03    90   54    45    02    05    04 30   .500

PITCHING STATS (thru 3 games)
NAME GP GS CG IP H R ER KO BB W L
Hanshaw 02 02 00 5.0 00 00 00 10 03 2 0
Langley 02 01 00 4.2 01 00 00 09 01 1 0
Sinwelski 03 00 00 4.0 00 00 00 08 07 0 0
Letts 01 00 00 1.0 00 00 00 01 00 0 0
Rudy 01 00 00 0.1 00 00 00 00 00 0 0
TOTALS 03 03 00 15.0 01 00 00 28 11 3 0

COMING ATTRACTIONS
WHAT: Dixie Debs Softball World Series
WHO: Eleven teams including Florida (Hernando Youth League), Alexandria National, LA; Tishomingo County, Miss.; Caldwell Parish, LA; Denison, Tx.; Humphreys County, Tenn.; Muscle Shoals, Ala.; Georgetown Co., SC; South Hill, VA; West Brunswick, NC; and Horatio, Ark.
WHEN: Aug. 2-9. Double elimination format.
WHERE: Alexandria, LA.
AT STAKE: Dixie Championship.

Road to the Show:
Debs State Tourney
Recap at Belleview:

07-04:
Hernando 32, Mulberry 0 (4 1/2 Inns.)

07-05:
Hernando 10, West Pasco 0 (5 Inns.)

07-06: (Championship)
Hernando 12, West Pasco 0 (5 Inns.)

2008 Hernando Debs (ages 16-18) All-Stars
Name Position
Meredith Hanshaw P/OF/1B
Alexandra Hayden 1B
Jessica Kreider SS/OF/3B
Mary Ellen Langley P/C/UTIL
Elizabeth Letts 2B/P
Destinee Mormando SS/OF
Brittany Parker OF
Heather Roush OF
Brittany Rudy C
Ch'antia Sanders 3B
Stephanie Sinwelski P/UTIL
Amber Suiters 2B/OF/C/P
Head Coach: Paul Sinwelski
Assistant coaches: Jim Langley, Richard Hayden

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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