Leopards give Sharks the "Royal" treatment

Hernando High Head Coach Kevin Bittinger told his troops, "This is gonna be a pretty good team once we start hitting."

His words waxed prophetic Tuesday evening at archrival Nature Coast Technical.

The Lady Leopards (4-5 overall) rapped a season-high 17 hits by eight different players against Hernando County's Pitcher of the Year Ashley Antczak to solve the Sharks, 6-4.

Despite stranding 12 runners on base, the Purple and Gold climbed to 3-3 in 4A-8 action as five starters collected two or more hits off Antczak (6-4).

Royal rules

The unquestioned leader was first baseman Hailey Royal. Royal, who came in hitting .375, went 4-for-4, scored once and drove in two runs.

Not that Royal was alone.

Shelbie Goodin and Megan Platt each chipped in three hits while Sarah Whealdon and Shelby Stocker each had two hits.

"Coach said once we start hitting we're gonna be tough," said the 16-year-old Royal, who tripled and scored in the second inning and drove in a pair with a single up the middle in the third. "It wasn't like Ashley (Antczak) wasn't throwing well. I think we were hitting everything. It was one of those nights where everyone made contact."

How special was the performance?

"Going 4-for-4 feels pretty good," said Royal. "Doing that against any team is nice; but doing it against Nature Coast is that much better."

Royal lauded right-hander Ashley Frye, who relieved starter Casey Bilodeau in the fourth and threw four shutout innings, scattering six of NCT's 11 hits.

"When Ashley (Frye) came in and stayed calm," described Royal.

Platt lauded the team's defense, which handled 33-of-34 chances, committing only one error.

"We've been practicing not to have any errors," said the 17-year-old Platt. "We came real close tonight. I thought Ashley (Frye) did a really good job. She threw strikes from the first batter on. And I've got to give it to Hailey, she's my best friend and she kinda showed me up tonight. You can always trust her to get a big hit."

"I went in with some confidence," admitted the 16-year-old Frye. "I knew my teammates backed me up 100 percent. Our offense was awesome. Hailey was incredible tonight.

"A win like this," added Frye. "Can turn our season around."

NCT was led by catcher Jen Marshall and Antczak, who each rapped three hits for the Sharks (6-4 overall, 6-4 4A-8).

Hernando 6, Nature Coast Technical 4
123 456 7 R H E
HER 113 100 0 -- 6 17 1
NCT 013 001 0 -- 5 11 1
HER - Bilodeau, Frye (4) and Platt.
NCT - Antczak and Marshall.
W - Frye (3-1). L - Antczak (6-4).
2B - Stocker (HER), Marshall (NCT).
3B - Royal (HER).
Records - Hernando (4-5 overall, 3-3 4A-8), Nature Coast Technical (6-4 overall, 6-4 4A-8).