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Hernando Today

Perfect Lady Lions Roar On

SOFTBALL

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: March 12, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando Christian Academy already had a strong softball history, having advanced to regionals each of the past five seasons.

But with Hall of Fame Head Coach Ernie Chatman now at the helm, the Lady Lions are undefeated and perhaps poised to rise to an even higher level.

Having already knocked off a Class 4A school (Hudson) and a 5A opponent (Central), 1A HCA improved to 10-0 by putting a hurting on 2A Bishop McLaughlin Thursday afternoon, 18-2 in 4 1/2 innings.

"We've been fortunate to get production from all parts of the batting order," Chatman said. "We've been able to be around the strike zone and played pretty good defense for the most part.

"We're able to play a little more relaxed because we've had the lead a lot, which helps."

First-inning flurry

In this one, the Lady Lions did stake themselves to a big lead early, sending 13 batter to the plate in a 10-run bottom of the first inning.

After two errors and a single by Jen Lester gave the Lady Hurricanes (5-5) a brief 1-0 advantage, HCA knotted it up when Jackie Butler pulled a bases-loaded single through the infield into left.

Audrey Allen followed with a three-run triple that got by the left fielder and rolled to the wall, her biggest strike on a 4-for-4, five RBI day.

"I just got a good round on the ball. It felt good," Allen said. "I felt like I did all right. Not my best."

Madeline Hanshaw and Remi Manuel followed with a back-to-back run-scoring singles, and Manuel would end up scoring from third when the catcher threw to first after dropping a called third strike.

A few batters later, Madison Manuel smacked a line drive into deep center field, racing around the bases for a two-run, inside-the-park home run.

"I tried to keep my hands in and it just felt good," Manuel said. "I really wasn't thinking about anything. I was thinking about running just as far as I can."

The final run of the frame came on a triple by Heidi Riley, who came around on the play when the cutoff man airmailed the throw to third over the fence.

Madison Manuel went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and three driven in. Younger sister Remi knocked in three runs on two hits, including a two-run triple in the six-run third.

By the end of the third inning, every HCA starter had reached base and either driven in or scored a run. The Lady Lions posted 18 hits to match their run total.

"I really like our team," Madison Manuel said. "We get along really good. We all play really well together. Everybody backs everybody up."

Despite the hot start, Chatman didn't want to think too far ahead, about just how far his team could go over the long haul.

"The game's over, so now we think about the next one," Chatman said. "We don't talk about it (the perfect record) because there's no need to talk about it. We just play."

HCA 18, BISHOP MCLAUGHLIN 2 (4 1/2 inn.)
1 23 45 R H E
BM 1 10 00 -- 2 4 2
HCA 10 16 1X -- 18 18 3
BM – Lester and Brown, Valdespino (2).
HCA – Field, Riddle (4), R. Manuel (5) and Riley.
W – Field (6-0). L – Lester (5-4).
2B – Hanshaw (HCA).
3B – Allen, Riley, R. Manuel (HCA).
HR – M. Manuel (HCA).
Records – Bishop McLaughlin (5-5), HCA (10-0).

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

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