If the cards fall the way coach Mindy Miltner expects, her Strawberry Crest team will get a much anticipated rematch with Leto in the Class 6A District 11 tournament.
“The girls are hungry for that one,” she said.
That’s because Leto upset Strawberry Crest last season in the district tournament, putting a halt to the dream of regionals and state.
Although still young on paper, this Lady Chargers team is more experienced than the group that made an early post-season exit in 2012.
SCHS is 20-2 this year, its best record in the four-year history of the program, rivaling the 2011 season, when the Lady Chargers finished 22-3.
The two losses have come in one-run games against Chamberlain (9-8) and Bartow (6-5), last year’s Class 7A state champion and runner-up, respectively.
In district play, the Lady Chargers are a perfect 10-0, outscoring opponents 119-1 in those games, and hold the No. 1 seed going into the tournament after today’s non-district regular season finale against Newsome.
“Our girls have worked hard, and they know this is the part of the season that counts,” Miltner said. “Even beating those teams twice already, I think we will be more focused going into districts. They know that feeling and what that hurt feels like at the end of the season, and they don’t want that to happen again.”
The key for the Lady Chargers will be the status of pitcher Sammy Tyler, who suffered a pulled quad against Bartow and missed the next three games. Freshman Scottie Todd has been handling pitching duties since, and Tyler has been in limited action this week and is expected to be ready for district, according to Miltner.
After a first-round bye, SCHS will face the winner of Leto and Armwood in the second round. The Class 6A District 11 tournament begins April 15, and will be played at Sickles.
DEFENDING THE CROWN
Durant, the defending Class 8A state champion, got off to a shaky start in district play, dropping their first two games before reeling off eight straight.
The Lady Cougars are 16-8 overall with two non-district games to play. Durant holds the No. 1 seed in the Class 8A District 7 tournament, and head coach Matt Carter feels good about his team’.
“This district has been crazy this year,” Carter said. “Any team can beat you on any particular day, but we’ve been playing pretty well, and I feel like we’re in a good position.”
Carter said his team’s offense has improved throughout the season, and the pitching has been steady, thanks to senior Paige Davis. Defensive changes after those two district losses also have made a big difference.
The Lady Cougars will have the benefit of having the experience of winning a state title, along with hosting this year’s district tournament.
“We’ve got as much maturity and good leaders as we did last year, and they know that we have a target on our back,” Carter said. “From here on, it’s our destiny to write.”
The Class 8A District 7 tournament begins April 15. Durant has a first-round bye and will play the winner of Newsome and Alonso.
RAIDERS ROLLING
After an 0-3 start to the season, Plant City found its rhythm.
The Lady Raiders are 15-6 overall and 10-0 in Class 7A District 8 under first-year head coach Amanda Sawyer.
Plant City holds the No. 1 seed in the district tournament, which begins April 15, at East Bay.
Plant City entered the season with an inexperienced pitching staff, but that has been one of the strong points of this year’s team. The Lady Raiders have allowed only six runs in their 10 district games, thanks to sophomore Noelle Dietrich and freshman Alexis Williams.
“Our last district game against Riverview was big for us,” Sawyer said. “Noelle pitched a great game and only gave up one walk.”
Offensively, Plant City has been led by Dietrich, University of South Florida commit Kristen Wyckoff, junior Kacie Booth and freshmen Becca Sorensen.
“Our hitting has definitely improved over the last few weeks, and Kacie Booth and Becca Sorensen have been playing very well, defensively,” Sawyer said.
Plant City will have the first round bye as the No. 1 seed.
“Having the top seed is huge for us,” Sawyer said. “Everyone is pumped up, and the momentum is good for this time of year.”
Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.
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