Player of the Year: Bianka Bell, Sr., Chamberlain Put a 34-inch Easton Synergy in Bell’s hands, and the term “softball” never seemed more contradictory. The line-drive homers, the scorching grounders capable of ripping off a shortstop’s glove, the laser-type comebackers to the circle — try ascertaining what’s soft about any ...
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Wed. June 13, 2012 at 2:05 p.m. | Times Staff
Player of the year: Samantha McCloskey, Sr., Palm Harbor University Why we picked her: On a team loaded with explosive hitters, McCloskey emerged as the most fearful hitter in the county because of sheer power. She first showed it off in practice, hitting balls so far over the fence teammates ...
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Fri. June 01, 2012 at 9:12 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Canterbury pitcher Emily Winesett signed with Haverford College in Pennsylvania last week. Winesett has played softball for the Crusaders since the sixth grade and appeared in four straight state final fours, including a state title last season. She has been named to the Class A all-state team four times and ...
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Mon. May 14, 2012 at 11:36 a.m. | Bob Putnam
Canterbury senior softball player Lacy Adams has committed to play at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. Adams has been a member of the Crusaders' varsity squad since sixth grade and has been part of six straight district championships. Since joining the team, she has played rightfield, first base, third ...
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Wed. May 09, 2012 at 1:47 p.m. | Rodney Page
Canterbury softball player Julia Cieutat has signed to play next year at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. Cieutat has been a member of the Canterbury varsity team since she was in eighth grade. Cieutat played centerfield for Canterbury and ended her career with a .350 batting average. As a ...
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Mon. May 07, 2012 at 11:43 a.m. | Rodney Page
Canterbury’s quest for a fifth straight final four appearance and second straight state title ended Thursday with a 2-1 loss to Boca Raton Grandview Prep. It happened in heartbreaking fashion with the Crusaders allowing two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Scoreless through five innings, Canterbury (18-12) found ...
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Thu. May 03, 2012 at 10:11 p.m. | Bob Putnam
DUNEDIN — The Dunedin softball players practiced Monday for another playoff game. They jogged around the bases during a makeshift scrimmage. They sang. They had fun. No one was having a better time than Roy Silver. The Falcons coach played in the field, cracking jokes and blowing his finger like ...
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Mon. April 30, 2012 at 8:23 p.m. | Bob Putnam
PLANT CITY — Chuck Poetter stood near the first-base box, hands on hips, staring toward his dugout, looking stunned and bewildered as his players filed out. Then, as the last players left the dugout, Poetter followed them off the field. For the last time. After three state titles and nearly ...
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Fri. April 27, 2012 at 7:58 p.m. | John C. Cotey
ST. PETERSBURG — In 2006, Jody Moore was hired to coach softball at Canterbury as the school entered district play for the first time. She barely had enough players to field a varsity team, much less one for middle school. Moore knew the fortunes of her team would turn on ...
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Thu. April 26, 2012 at 7:17 p.m. | Bob Putnam
PALM HARBOR — Through two innings Tuesday, everything seemed to go right for Palm Harbor University. The Hurricanes were getting hits and scoring runs in bunches. In the first inning, they strung together six straight hits, all singles, scoring six runs. They followed with four hits, the biggest a three-run ...
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Wed. April 25, 2012 at 12:02 a.m. | Bob Putnam
PALM HARBOR — If Palm Harbor University keeps playing like it did Thursday in the Class 8A, District 8 final against East Lake, the Hurricanes could put one last championship ring on coach Chuck Poetter’s finger. PHU exploded for 17 hits, including two home runs by Samantha McCloskey, in a ...
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Thu. April 19, 2012 at 11:41 p.m. | Rodney Page
ST. PETERSBURG — Northside Christian spent its season series against Shorecrest on the edge, winning close, high-scoring games.So when the Mustangs jumped to a 5-0 lead after four innings against their rival in Tuesday's Class 2A, District 9 semifinals, coach John Anderson knew it was not time to exhale.Sure enough, ...
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Tue. April 17, 2012 at 9:07 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Times’ Super Seven Records through Tuesday 1. Palm Harbor University (22-2): Wrapped up top seed in district and berth in Friday’s conference title game against St. Petersburg. 2. Countryside (19-4): Patience at the plate is paying off for the Cougars, who are the top seed in their district. 3. East ...
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Wed. April 11, 2012 at 5:39 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Times’ Super Seven Records through Tuesday 1. Palm Harbor University (20-2): Offense continues to shine with recent wins over Canterbury and district rival Sarasota Riverview. 2. Countryside (17-4): Idle through most of the past week, the Cougars will wrap up district play and possible No. 1 seed by next week. ...
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Wed. April 04, 2012 at 4:12 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Times’ softball super 7 Records through Tuesday 1. Palm Harbor University (17-2): Impressive run for the Hurricanes with two wins against district rival East Lake and tournament title in Sarasota. 2. Countryside (13-3): Offense keeps producing big numbers in wins over Seminole, Northeast and East Lake in the past week. ...
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Wed. March 21, 2012 at 6:35 p.m. | Bob Putnam