HCA: A huge hurdle to clear

Normally, prep coaches avoid putting emphasis on any one game over another.
The reasoning is simple.
Coaches don't enjoy the emotional rollercoaster accompanied with stressing one opponent over another.
That thinking, however, may be different come Friday.
The four-time defending Class 1A, District 5 champion Lake Mary Prep Griffins (22-5 overall) invade the Lions' Den at 4 p.m. against the six-time defending Class 1A, District 6 champion Hernando Christian Academy Lions (20-5).
The stakes are considerable. This isn't your garden variety softball game.
Friday's survivor advances to next Tuesday's regional final against the winner of Orlando-Faith Christian at Palm Bay-Covenant Christian.
The winner of this region has advanced to the state finals five straight years.
Last year, the Griffins reached their first-ever state finale, only to fall to Jacksonville's Eagles' View, 10-0 (5 innings).
But to reach states, Lake Mary Prep's closest shave was the 1A-II regional semifinal 2-1 nod over HCA at the Lake Mary Sports Complex.

Scouting the Griffins

Sixth-year Lake Mary Prep Head Coach Gary Wayne has slowly erected a successful program from scratch. Since its inaugural year in 2004, the Griffins have pieced together five straight winning campaigns - including four district crowns.
On the plus side, the Griffins have captured quarterfinal wins for four straight seasons, including Tuesday's 3-1 triumph over Ocala-Meadowbrook Academy.
But besides last season, the semifinals have been their undoing.
Plus, Coach Wayne enters Friday's game minus three first team All-State selections from last season including Breezy Collins, who is currently playing at Brevard Community College; and junior twins Laura/Katherine Taricano, who defected to play for Class 6A Lake Mary High School.
Despite the losses, don't believe for a minute, the Griffins arrival to the Emerson Road campus is a fluke.
Though the Griffins have four seniors on their 12-man roster, their two finest players are both underclassmen.
Right-handed pitcher Kirsten Tool comes in 18-4 overall.
According to Wayne, "She can throw everything and she can throw with power."
How'd she lose four games?
"It was a lack of defensive support," noted Coach Wayne.
Tool is also a threat at the plate leading the Griffins in batting at .581 with four homers.
Complimenting Tool is junior catcher Haylie Morales.
According to Coach Wayne, "Morales is solid behind the plate. She was our fulltime catcher before last year, so she's got experience back there. I trust her. She's so in touch with Kirsten, she calls all the pitches and she's got an arm back there."
Like Tool, Morales can hurt teams with her ability at the plate. Morales, who also runs exceptionally well, ranks second on the team in hitting at .484, stands second in runs batted in (20) and is tied for lead in runs scored (26).
According to Coach Wayne, the Griffins strong suit all season long has been their pitching and team defense. Though only six players returned from last year's 1A state runner-up squad, he's tinkered by bringing in two outfielders to play infield.
"I admire this team" described Coach Wayne. "We put some pressure on them at the beginning of the season (to repeat). It's a tough act to follow. Last year, made the lineup and kinda went on auto pilot. This year, from the players to the coaches, we've all had to work much harder.
"We've been pretty consistent all year with our pitching and defense," acknowledged Coach Wayne. "We just haven't hit the ball as well as I thought we could have. It seems like we've done just enough (to score) every game."

Forecast

What does Coach Wayne expect Friday?
"I expect the same type of game we had last year," said Wayne. "I give the advantage to HCA because they're at home. Everything they did last to prepare - a long bus trip, playing on a foreign field - is what we'll have to do this year."
What about the strength of schedule?
"We played four 6A schools this year," remarked Coach Wayne. "And we'd never beaten a 6A team on the road before this year. I think we're ready."
For the Lions, Head Coach Ernie Chatman understands the significance of Friday's tussle.
"They've got a good program, so do we," explained Chatman. "They've built up some tradition in a short time, so have we. They've played some much bigger schools, well, so have we.
"They lost some pretty good players from last year and we lost two good ones in Mary Ellen (Langley) and (Meredith) Hanshaw," he added. "I hope playing at home will be an advantage. I'd like to see a repeat of Tuesday's game where we put the ball in play, we are competitive on the mound and make plays on defense."

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Class 1A, Region II Semifinal Softball Game.
WHO: Six-time and current Class 1A, District 6 champion Brooksville-Hernando Christian Academy Lions (20-5) hosts four-time 1A-5 champion Lake Mary Prep Griffins (22-5).
WHERE: Lions' Den in Brooksville.
WHEN: Today at 4 p.m.
AT STAKE: Winner advances to Tuesday's Class 1A, Region II final against the survivor of Orlando-Faith Christian Academy vs. Palm Bay-Covenant Christian.