PINELLAS PARK — Despite winning 10 of its past 12 games and playing in last week’s conference championship game, St. Petersburg entered the semifinals of the Class 7A, District 10 softball tournament as underdogs. The No. 3 seed Green Devils were playing No. 2 seed Seminole, a program steeped in ...
Read more
Thu. April 18, 2013 at 12:01 a.m. | Bob Putnam
Seminole’s Sam Roper has retired from coaching football after 28 seasons, principal Walter Weller said Friday. Weller said Roper will remain a driver’s ed teacher. “This wasn’t a situation where I asked Sam to step down or anything like that,” Weller said. “I have a lot of respect for Sam. ...
Read more
Fri. April 12, 2013 at 12:51 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Softball super seven Records through Tuesday 1. Countryside (20-3): On Monday, the Cougars rallied for a rare win against PHU. It was the ’Canes’ only loss to a county opponent this year. 2. Palm Harbor University (19-4): Bounced back from loss to Countryside with resounding win against Seminole that clinched ...
Read more
Wed. April 10, 2013 at 5:35 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Softball super seven Records through Tuesday 1. Palm Harbor University (17-3): ’Canes have yet to lose to a county opponent. 2. Countryside (19-2): Loss to River Ridge in tournament final marked the first time the Cougars were defeated in more than a month. 3. Seminole (13-3): Next week’s game against ...
Read more
Wed. April 03, 2013 at 9:50 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Softball super seven Records through Tuesday 1. Countryside (14-1): Offense continues to carry the Cougars as they beat Seminole to move into first place in Class 7A, District 10. 2. Palm Harbor University (15-3): Big win against East Lake gives Hurricanes inside track to top seed in Class 8A, District ...
Read more
Wed. March 20, 2013 at 10:07 p.m. | Bob Putnam
CLEARWATER — To climb back to the top of the Class 7A, District 10 standings, Countryside had to defeat Seminole, the team that knocked the Cougars out of first place this season. It was memorable and painful, and no matter how Countryside minimized the revenge questions, those feelings surely exist. ...
Read more
Tue. March 19, 2013 at 11:43 p.m. | Bob Putnam
SEMINOLE — First, there was the optimism engendered by Seminole’s surprising start to the season. Then came the euphoric afterglow from the Warhawks’ shutout victory last month over defending district champion Countryside. But all the good feelings were pushed aside this week after a deflating loss to St. Petersburg in ...
Read more
Sat. March 16, 2013 at 12:14 a.m. | Bob Putnam
Softball super seven Results through Tuesday 1. Countryside (12-1): Since loss to Seminole two weeks ago, the Cougars have been on a roll and won the North Florida Classic tournament this past weekend. 2. Palm Harbor University (12-3): Avenged a playoff loss to defending state champion Durant at its own ...
Read more
Wed. March 13, 2013 at 9:00 p.m. | Bob Putnam
CLEARWATER — River Ridge has been controlled on occasion — for a few minutes, maybe a couple of innings. Then things seem to explode. Softballs start finding their way into the gaps. The offense becomes unhinged — No. 1 hitter, No. 9 hitter, it doesn’t matter. Suddenly, the frenzy is ...
Read more
Sat. March 09, 2013 at 12:19 a.m. | Bob Putnam
Softball super seven Records through Wednesday 1. Seminole (8-0): Big win vs. Countryside last week gives Warhawks edge in Class 7A, District 10 standings. Tonight, Seminole faces River Ridge in a battle of unbeatens at PHU tourney. 2. Countryside (7-1): Strong start offensively came to a halt against Seminole. This ...
Read more
Thu. March 07, 2013 at 9:39 p.m. | Bob Putnam
SEMINOLE — In big games, Seminole’s Jennie Sittloh tends to reach back and ramp up the velocity with every pitch. This one was certainly big. The Warhawks were hosting Countryside in a matchup of unbeatens with first place on the line in Class 7A, District 10. But Sittloh did not ...
Read more
Wed. Feb. 27, 2013 at 11:27 p.m. | Bob Putnam
For years, softball was a pitcher’s game. And when a pitcher came along who could wield one of the rarest and most important weapons in the sport — speed — coaches became giddy. They knew that when they featured an honest-to-goodness, certified No. 1 pitcher, their team was as good as ...
Read more
Wed. Feb. 27, 2013 at 6:17 p.m. | Bob Putnam
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 ...
Read more
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 ...
Read more
Fri. June 01, 2012 at 9:12 p.m. | Bob Putnam
CLEARWATER — Countryside coach Kaylyn Bayly has never been too worried about her team’s offense. It’s defense that gives her anxiety. In nearly every loss, the Cougars have committed costly errors. But after some hiccups early on Wednesday, Countryside’s defense turned in two key plays in a 5-1 victory over ...
Read more
Thu. April 26, 2012 at 12:29 a.m. | Bob Putnam