North Suncoast: News and notes

By Joey Knight and Izzy Gould, Times Staff Writers
In print: Tuesday, May 13, 2008

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Bulldogs' Bibby resigns

Zephyrhills volleyball coach Tiffany Bibby has resigned after two seasons. Bibby, who teaches physical education at Zephyrhills, had some unforeseen family matters arise that will keep her out of town most of the summer. She also is trying to reunite with her sister and hopes to find another teaching job in Texas or California.

Bibby met with Bulldogs athletic director Craig Milburn and principal Gerri Painter and explained after two seasons of progress she didn't want to see the players suffer without a coach to oversee summer conditioning, camps and tournaments.

"It wouldn't be fair to the kids not to give them any help all summer," Bibby said. "It would be better to find someone before school ends so they have someone for the summer. I like it here, I love Zephyrhills. It's such a neat community. I love my job here. It won't be fun to be here and not coach the kids."

Bibby's teams went a combined 45-12 in two years and she led the Bulldogs to a region quarterfinal berth and the runnerup spot in Class 4A, District 8.

Numbers crunch …or is it cringe?

A numerical reflection on Pasco's loss to Palatka in last weekend's best-of-three Class 4A region baseball finals:

0 Home runs hit by Pirates sophomore Brennan Allen this season before his solo blast to leftfield in Saturday's contest

2 Pitching changes made by Pirates coach Ricky Giles in Pasco's first six postseason contests, including the district tournament

3 Pitching changes made by Giles in the first inning of Friday's nightcap at Palatka, when the Panthers collected eight runs off seven hits and a pair of errors

10 Runs allowed by the Pirates in Game 2

11 Total runs allowed by Pasco in the previous six postseason contests, including the district tournament

.500 Batting average of Pirates junior shortstop Jacob Schrader in the three-game series at Palatka. Schrader finished 5-for-10, homered twice, doubled and collected six RBIs.

Aitken strong despite loss

Former Land O'Lakes and University of Tampa soccer star Shannon Aitken was in net for the Tampa Bay Hellenic's inaugural game Sunday, a 1-0 loss to Bradenton Athletics. Aitken made nine saves in the loss. She was a member of the Gators' 2003 state title team.

Compiled by staff writers Izzy Gould and Joey Knight.

Leopards signings

Hernando utility infielders Dustin Pugh and Andrew McNeal will sign letters of intent with Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Ala.

McNeal hit .321 with 22 RBIs and six home runs and pitched 26.33 innings with a 4.78 ERA with 42 strikeouts to finish 3-4. Pugh hit .234 and had a 6.05 ERA to finish 1-3.