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HomeTeam Hot Shot winners: Pierce Kimbrough and Maddie Lewis

 
Tampa Bay Times
Published March 1, 2016

Pierce Kimbrough, Hernando

Kimbrough, a senior, is in his second year as a starter for the Leopards. He is part of a trio of reliable Hernando starters, along with Elijah Ramirez and Travis Ritter. Kimbrough has pitched 12 innings and has yet to allow an earned run. He has 13 strikeouts and five walks.

Unlike his fellow starters, Kimbrough learned early that he couldn't rely on a blazing fastball to get hitters out. A top-notch student already accepted to the University of Florida, Kimbrough realized he had to be crafty to be successful.

"It's been that way ever since I got to high school," Kimbrough said. "I guess I had my glory days before that, but on this level I have to be more of a craftier pitcher. I can't just throw fastballs. I have to use my off-speed pitchers and hit the corners."

Kimbrough gained junior varsity experience in his first two years. As a junior he was 3-2 with a 1.56 ERA in eight appearances and pitched 36 innings, second highest on the team. That season led him to feel better about this season, he said.

"I did enter this season with a lot of confidence," Kimbrough said. "It helped a lot to get innings last season. It made me realize I could pitch at this level."

That confidence was on display last week against Springstead. He threw a complete game in a 2-1 win and struck out six, improving to 1-1. His next start will likely come Friday against Hudson.

Kimbrough said he doesn't have any college baseball offers yet. He plans to attend Florida and major in finance. If an offer to pitch in college does come along, he said he would have to think about it.

"It would have to be a pretty good offer," Kimbrough said. "I've always wanted to go to Florida."

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

Maddie Lewis, softball, Chamberlain

Chamberlain outfielder Maddie Lewis can hit for average. After all, she is hitting .706.

Lewis also can hit for power with a triple, a home run and six RBIs this season.

And if her team simply needs a hit to win a game, well, she can do that, too.

The sophomore came through in the clutch with a two-run single in the sixth inning of last week's 2-1 victory over Class 7A, District 8 rival Gaither that kept the Chiefs undefeated and in sole possession of first in the district.

"It was just a great feeling knowing that I could through and deliver for my team in such a big game," Lewis said.

Lewis already is used to playoff-type games. Last year, she went from being a designated hitter to starting in the outfield during Chamberlain's run to the Class 6A state championship game.

"We're really motivated to go back and win it all," Lewis said.

Knowing that she would have a significant role, Lewis worked in the summer taking hitting lessons and playing travel softball.

She started this season as the cleanup hitter before moving up to the No. 3 spot in the lineup because of her speed and ability to make contact.

"Maddie is just a good overall hitter who has gotten a whole lot better," Chiefs coach Bob Diez said. "She did a lot of things growing up and has only played softball about three years. But she is a very hard worker. It shows."

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Bob Putnam, Times staff writer