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Hernando Today

From HCA to HYL

DIXIE PONYTAILS SOFTBALL

Hernando Today photo by BOB EAST III

Hernando Ponytails All-Stars pitcher Courtney Riddle helped HCA reach the state semifinals this spring.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: July 4, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Courtney Riddle already has plenty of big-game experience on a higher level than even the Dixie Ponytails (ages 11-12) All-Stars State Tournament.

Though she'll only enter eighth grade this fall, she has already spent time on a high school varsity softball team. And not just sitting on the bench, but as the number one pitcher.

Not just any team, either, but one that advanced all the way to the Class 1A state semifinals in May.

A mere seventh-grader, Riddle became the go-to hurler for the Hernando Christian Academy Lady Lions and Hall-of-Fame Head Coach Ernie Chatman.

She posted a 10-3 mark with a 1.56 earned run average, notching 80 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings.

"It was a great experience," Riddle said. "We hope to go further next year. Everybody is trying to get better over the summer and as the school year goes on."

Currently Riddle is honing her craft with the Hernando Youth League Ponytails as they wade their way through the State Tournament at Tom Varn Park this weekend.

Hernando opened its tournament slate on Friday by defeating Port St. Joe, 4-3. Saturday morning it dropped into the loser's bracket thanks to a 9-2 defeat against Belleview.

Belleview broke open a 2-2 game with four runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

"It just got away from us," Hernando Head Coach David Riddle said. "We made a couple mistakes and it got away from us. Belleview is a good team. They always have a good team. We had an opportunity or two and we didn't capitalize and they did capitalize."

The younger Riddle started and threw into the fifth inning, when Belleview took control. She went 0-for-2 at the plate with a walk and run scored.

"I didn't think we played very good, but we played good up until the fifth inning and let it go," she said. "We made mistakes and got down. We need to forget about this game and move on to the next one."

Coach Riddle dubbed his daughter and fellow pitcher Tana McDaniel as the leaders of the team. Riddle's prep resume certainly holds some weight in this setting.

"She's still learning the game, even though she's been put in some situations," Coach Riddle said. "These girls look up to her and she loves playing with these girls. When she takes the rubber she gives the team a lot of confidence."

One thing Riddle has going for her now that she didn't during the HCA season, she's not at an age disadvantage.

"I like playing with older girls, but I like playing with my friends," she said. "They're (her HCA teammates) my friends, too. But it's nice playing with the younger girls, too."

She hoped to keep playing with them a little longer following Saturday's early action. Hernando faced an elimination game later in the day. Results were unavailable at press time.

"Hopefully we get another shot at these guys (Belleview)," Coach Riddle said. "And play a little better."

BELLEVIEW 9, HERNANDO 2
123 456 R H E
BEL 200 043 -- 9 7 0
HER 200 000 -- 2 5 1
BEL – White, Albright (3), Oglesby (5) and Chappel.
HER – Riddle, Lane (5) and Huggins, McDaniel (5).
W – Albright (1-0). L – Riddle (1-1).
2B – Day (BEL).
3B – none.
HR – none.
Records – Belleview (1-0), Hernando (1-1).

DIXIE PONYTAILS (AGES 11-12) STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
at Tom Varn Park

07-03:
Hernando 4, Port St. Joe 3
Spring Hill 4, Chipley 1
Hardee 10, Wahneta 0 (5 inn.)

07-04:
Belleview 9, Hernando 2

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at 352-544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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