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Hernando Today

Powell Solves West Hernando Hex

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: February 24, 2008

BROOKSVILLE – Maybe it's the all-grass surface? Maybe it's all about personnel?
Maybe it was the fact that West Hernando Middle School fielded perhaps it two finest softball seasons the past two springs.
Whatever the reasons, Powell Middle School entered Tuesday afternoon's Hernando County Middle School Conference softball game at West Hernando with something to prove -- namely solving its recent issues at West Hernando.
You see, Powell hadn't won there since March 15, 2004's 21-9 nod.
But bolstered by an eight-run first inning and right-hander Hailey Drawe's third mound win, Powell snapped a 47-month jinx at West Hernando in five innings, 13-3.
The setback left the two-time defending Hernando County Champion Golden Eagles at 1-3 overall.

Rough start

It didn't help matters that Powell sent 12 batters to the plate against West Hernando eighth-grader Kelsey McManus.
All told, McManus went five innings and was roughed up for eight earned runs. She permitted seven hits and struck out six besides issuing nine walks and permitting four wild pitches.
Six first-inning free passes undermined McManus's start. She was victimized by two-run singles Mariah Crawford and Jeri Loffler and an RBI double by Kate Lynn Glynn.
After the difficult first frame, McManus (1-3 won-lost record) appeared to settle down permitting an RBI single to Samantha Oliveira in the fourth while Loffler's fielder's choice highlighted a four-run fifth.
Second-year West Hernando skipper Connie Sanders said this year's Eagles squad is not the same one that repeated as champions last spring.
"It's a different team. We're real young," explained Sanders, whose team finished 8-1 to repeat in 2007. "Today, we did not play well in the first inning. We've got to do a better job with the bats and we left too many runners (5) on base."
Evaluate the team at this point?
"Our starting catcher is injured, so we're breaking in a new catcher (Katie McCarthy) and that takes some time," shared Sanders. "It's early; we've still got six games left. I think we'll do better the second time around against everyone. We haven't been able to get everything (all phases of the game) to click at once."
McCarthy paced the hosts with two hits while McManus, Rhy Venturella and Heather Davis each added a single.

Breaking through

From the visitor's dugout, the Panthers climbed to 3-1 overall. Their lone blemish was Feb. 7's late-inning 9-8 meltdown to unbeaten Challenger K-8.
It was also fourth-year Powell Head Coach Charlene Francisco's first win at West Hernando. The Panthers had finished runner-up the past two seasons to West Hernando.
"West Hernando has always had fundamentally sound players," said Francisco. "I thought our girls really psyched themselves up for this game. I think we came in really motivated."
How beneficial was the start?
"The first inning was huge," described Francisco. "You always want to put pressure on the other team because then it becomes a catch-up game. It's huge to be the first to score."
Standouts?
"Sure, (Hailey) Drawe did a phenomenal job," replied Francisco. "In the past, we've had trouble with West Hernando's leadoff batters. She (Drawe) really concentrated on keeping the lead runners off the bases. And defensively, we were very aggressive charging pop flies.
"Today, we gave up a couple of late-inning runs," she added. "We're still working at closing out games. Mariah (Crawford) came in and pitched the fifth. We've been trying to get her in the rotation. I've been impressed with her control."
For the victors, Meagan Russell and Crawford each collected two safeties.
"I thought we did well," explained the 12-year-old Crawford, who acted as honorary captain following a 5-for-5 effort against Parrott featuring nine RBI. "I thought I played to my best."
"We needed this (win)," added the 13-year-old Russell. "Coach Francisco did an awesome job of getting us ready."
Loffler had a perfect view of Drawe's efforts behind the plate.
"Hailey hit her spots," insisted the 13-year-old backstop Loffler. "We were very solid defensively (converting 19-of-20 chances). For me, it's nice to get any win against West Hernando. I thought we all played solid."

Powell 13, West Hernando 3 (5 Innings)
123 45 R H E
POW 800 14 -- 13 7 1
WH 010 02 -- 3 5 3
POW - Drawe, Crawford (5) and Loffler.
WH - McManus and McCarthy.
W - Drawe (3-0). L - McManus (1-3).
Records: Powell (3-1 overall), West Hernando (1-3 overall).

2008 Powell Panthers Softball Schedule
Head Coach - Charlene Francisco (4th Year)
Date Opponent Site Result/Time
02-04 Fox Chapel Away W 10-0
02-07 Challenger K-8 Away L 8-9
02-11 Parrott Away W 26-9
02-13 Hernando Christian Away Rain
02-19 West Hernando Away W 13-3 (5 Inns.)
02-21 Fox Chapel Home 3 p.m.
02-25 Challenger K-8 Home 3 p.m.
02-26 Parrott Home 3 p.m.
03-03 Hernando Christian Home 3 p.m.
03-06 West Hernando Away 3 p.m.
TOTALS 57-21
NOTE - All home games at Springstead.

2007 West Hernando Eagles Softball Schedule
Head Coach - Connie Sanders (2nd Year)
Date Opponent Site Result/Time
02-04 Challenger K-8 Away L 6-9
02-11 Fox Chapel Home W 11-4
02-14 Parrott Away L 4-8
02-19 Powell Home L 3-13 (5 Inns.)
02-21 Challenger K-8 Home 3 p.m.
02-28 Fox Chapel Away 3 p.m.
03-03 Parrott Home 3 p.m.
03-06 Powell Away 3 p.m.
TOTALS 24-34

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

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