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Spring Hill primed to contend

DIXIE ANGELS STATE SOFTBALL

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Spring Hill Angels Head Coach Glenn Primavera expects his District 4 champion team in the hunt for a possible state title.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: July 2, 2009

Two Hernando County teams are a part of the seven-team field of the Dixie Angels (ages 9-10) All-Stars State Championship Tournament.
The field features: Belleview, DeSoto County, Marianna, Paxton, Spring Hill, Wahneta and host Hernando in a double-elimination format beginning Friday at Tom Varn Park.
Belleview is expected to be the team to beat though District 4 champion Spring Hill is no slouch. The Westside club captured its three games at Wesley Chapel out-scoring the opposition, 29-1.
Does Spring Hill hold an advantage over, say, host Hernando, which hasn't played a game to date?
"Sure, I think it's a definite advantage to play to get this far," explained Spring Hill Head Coach Glenn Primavera. "You only learn by playing. You can never get enough game swings. I think I know what to expect from our guys now."
Is Belleview the team to beat?
"I've seen them the past couple years in Darlings and they were tough," remarked Coach Primavera. "I can't say anything about some of the others, because we really don't know much about them."

Spring Hill 101

Spring Hill (3-0) features a 12-member roster including: Breanna Blankenship, Skylar Heyward, Kayley Decotis, Marriah Adams, Chayse Skinner, Cerina Brooks, Victoria Eland, Heather Shagoury, Vivian Gianelli, Abbey Primavera, Emily Vsetula and Abby Oliver. Coach Primavera will be aided by assistant coaches Brian Blankenship and Darrell Adams.
What did Spring Hill learn most about its three-game tour of District 4?
"Our pitching is strong," insisted Coach Primavera, whose daughter Abbey Primavera allowed no earned runs in nine innings with 12 strikeouts against four walks. "I thought we could have hit better at Wesley Chapel. We've been hitting like crazy since. Right now, I have alot of confidence in our pitching and our overall team speed, which should help our defense."
What's the biggest surprise?
"The way the entire team gets along," noted Coach Primavera. "This group genuinely likes to play with each other."
Can Spring Hill make an extended run?
"That old cliché still stands, 'Good pitching wins titles'" recalled Coach Primavera. "Pitching is paramount. We saw it at Wesley Chapel and we'll see it again beginning this weekend. If the other team can't score, we'll win."
What does Coach Primavera expect?
"We came very close to winning last year," said Coach Primavera. "We've learned a few things. That experience should help us this time around. No matter what we've done before, this will be a tough tournament. Our kids are going in very confident. I really don't see any weaknesses on our part."

Hernando 101

Hernando's Angels All-Stars include: Elizabeth Bartholomew, Samantha Burnette, Amanda Coyle, Madison Darby, Savannah Darby, Kaylee Flaherty, Kaylee Frascatore, Autumn Grieves, Lindsey Miller, Kyndal Olander, Ashley Platt and Tynisha Williams. Head Coach Matt Platt will be aided by Pasha and Lisa Darby.
Coach Platt was unavailable for comment. He attended the funeral of a family member on Wednesday.
HYL's Angels, who lost by double digits in scrimmages this summer against Spring Hill, never reached states in 2008. HYL went 0-2 last summer in District 4, being out-scored 19-1.

COMING ATTRACTIONS
WHAT: Dixie Angels (ages 9-10) All-Stars State Championship Tournament.
WHO: Seven-team field: Belleview, DeSoto County, Marianna, Paxton, Spring Hill, Wahneta and host Hernando in a double-elimination format.
WHEN: July 3-7.
WHERE: Tom Varn Park Complex, 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville, FL 34601.
AT STAKE: State champion in each of the five age divisions will represent Team Florida in the July 31 Dixie World Series in Sumter, N.C.

Hernando Angels (ages 9-10) All-Stars
NO. NAME POS.
01 Savannah Darby LF
05 Amanda Coyle OF
10 Kaylee Frascatore 1B
11 Elizabeth Bartholomew P/3B
12 Tynisha Williams LF/C
22 Kyndal Olander C/OF
23 Ashley Platt 3B
44 Lindsey Miller 2B/C
50 Samantha Burnette RF
55 Kaylee Flaherty P/2B
77 Autumn Grieves SS
99 Madison Darby P/1B

Head Coach – Matt Platt.
Assistant Coaches – Pasha and Lisa Darby.

Spring Hill Angels (ages 9-10) All-Stars
NO. NAME POS
02 Breanna Blankenship OF
04 Skylar Heyward SS/P
06 Kayley Decotis C
07 Marriah Adams OF
08 Chayse Skinner OF
10 Cerina Brooks 3B
11 Victoria Eland C/INF
15 Heather Shagoury OF
12 Vivian Gianelli UTL
22 Abbey Primavera P/1B
27 Emily Vsetula P/OF
44 Abby Oliver 2B
Head Coach - Glenn Primavera
Assistant coaches - Brian Blankenship, Darrell Adams.

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

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