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Bears, Leopards: Belleview Bound

SOFTBALL

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Hernando Head Coach Kevin Bittinger's Leopards head into Belleview's Tournament winners of five of their past six games.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: March 19, 2009

Two Hernando County programs, Hernando and Central, will deviate from the normal confines of its North Suncoast backyard by taking part in Friday and Saturday's 14-team Doc-4-Life Varsity Showdown Softball Tournament sponsored by Belleview High at Shocker Park.
The 14-team field is expected to include: host Belleview, Umatilla, First Academy of Leesburg and Matanzas, Ocala-West Port, Ocala-Trinity Catholic, Winter Springs, Brooksville-Hernando, Bayshore Christian, Keystone Heights, Daytona Beach-Seabreeze, Palatka, Citra-North Marion and Brooksville-Central.
Each team initially plays three pool games. Then the top six teams are ranked for finals. Each team is "guaranteed" four games. Each team will select its own Most Valuable Player.

Bears: Coming Off Huge Upset

After dropping six of seven games from Feb. 23 through March 10, the Lady Bears have reversed their fortunes with back-to-back wins last week.
If their season concluded today, the CHS highlight would be last Friday's 10-7 nod over previously unbeaten Hernando Christian Academy.
The Lions entered Central's Bear Park at 10-0 including March 6's 4-2 win in Brooksville against the Bears.
"We're going to Belleview to continue to get better," explained second-year Bears' Head Coach Tyson Ellis. "Everybody is gonna play. A tournament like this is no big deal for Kenzi (All-County infielder McKenzie Burns) or Gina and Linda (Thompson), but for everyone else this is great exposure."
What about the keeping up the momentum established by solving HCA?
"For this program, last Friday's game was a big, big win," described Ellis, who is 10-21 lifetime at CHS. "We beat an undefeated team that is pretty darn good. I told the kids afterwards that they played a hell of a team. It's a quality team. It wasn't like beating Wesley Chapel or Ridgewood. HCA wasn't 10-0 for nothing.
"The first time we played 'em, we were short three starters, so we thought we could play with them," added Ellis. "The win gives this group of girls a lot of confidence. Last year's win over Springstead, had a carryover affect. We're hoping the win over HCA will do the same."
Why has the team improved from last year's 6-14 slate to 4-7 this year?
"Defensively, we're a much better club," insisted Coach Ellis. "We probably had 50 errors after 11 games last year, we're probably 20 errors less. Our goal is to improve every game. Defensively, we've shored up some things and recently, the bats have finally begun to come around."
Central will open the tourney today by facing Palatka at 5:45 p.m.
On Saturday, they'll conclude pool play by facing Seabreeze at 9 a.m. and then face North Marion at 10:45 p.m.
Coach Ellis has penciled in right-hander Megan Baker, who has won the last two games, to start the Bears' first two tournament games.
Look for southpaw Erica Yunka to start the third game.

Leopards: Attempting to turn the corner

At press time, Hernando's 6-6 won-lost record mirrors its up and down season.
The Purple and Gold will open the tourney Friday against West Port at 4 p.m. followed by facing Trinity Catholic at 5:45 p.m.
On Saturday, HHS faces Winter Springs at 10:45 a.m.
What are the Leopards' goals this weekend?
"It's all about turning the corner," explained HHS Head Coach Kevin Bittinger. "We've played the first half of the season and the mistakes we've made have been dealt with. We have three weeks left before districts. Ultimately, you play these types of games to prepare for districts.
"I like going because it'll be good for our team to see other teams outside our little part of the world," added Bittinger. "We want to see our pitchers tested. Our pitchers had better be in shape. It'll be good to see how they pitch if we get pushed."
If the season ended today what would the HHS' highlight be?
"After we lost to Wiregrass (18-14), this team psyche was way down," said Bittinger. "But since that game this group responded with four straight wins and nearly a fifth before losing to Nature Coast. We're going into this tournament with a lot of confidence."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT – Doc-4-Life Varsity Showdown Girls Softball Tournament
WHO – Fourteen teams divided in four pools featuring: host Belleview, Umatilla, First Academy of Leesburg and Matanzas, Ocala-West Port, Ocala-Trinity Catholic, Winter Springs, Brooksville, Bayshore Christian, Keystone Heights, Daytona Beach-Seabreeze, Palatka, Citra-North Marion and Brooksville-Central.
WHERE – Shocker Park in Ocala.
WHEN – Friday and Saturday, March 20-21.
AT STAKE – Each team plays three pool games. Then the top six teams are ranked for finals. Each team is "guaranteed" four games. Each team will select its own Most Valuable Player.

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

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