PALM HARBOR — Spring break could not have come at a better time for the Palm Harbor University softball team.
Beset by injuries nearly all season, the Hurricanes had four days off last week to heal before their game with Osceola.
With everybody on the roster finally healthy enough to play, save for a few bumps and bruises, PHU put together one of its most complete efforts of the season Monday to defeat the Warriors 11-1 in five innings.
"Nobody's out hurt right now, which is the first time all year long that that's been the case," PHU coach Chuck Poetter said. "We've missed two and three starters just about the whole season. I'm pretty satisfied that we're getting healthy. Now that they're back, we've got to get them game ready."
PHU left-handed starter Taylor Sabol improved to 13-1 on her freshman campaign by allowing just two hits and one unearned run against a potent Osceola lineup.
The Hurricanes (18-3) pounded out 12 hits against Osceola starter Jordan Bennett. Four went for doubles. Eight PHU batters recorded hits.
And defensively, the Hurricanes again demonstrated why they are arguably the county's top team in the field by making difficult plays look routine.
Madison O'Brien singled home the Hurricanes' first run in the first inning and Jackie Katchuk followed with a two-RBI single. In the second, Sarah Broeseker singled home a run, and Kaitlyn Santo smashed a run-scoring double to the wall in rightfield.
The Hurricanes put the game out of reach in the fourth. Freshman Dani Darby's sacrifice fly made it 6-1. Broeseker and Santo had RBI singles, and Katchuk nearly homered but had to settle for a double off the leftfield wall for a 9-1 PHU advantage.
"We were rusty," Osceola coach Calvin Van Auken said. "But you've got to see a higher level to get better."
Osceola (12-8) scored its lone run in the third when Bennett reached second on the Hurricanes' only defensive mistake and came home on Kara Oberer's RBI groundout.
Osceola can clinch the top seed in 5A-11 with a win today over Northeast. If the Warriors lose and Seminole defeats Boca Ciega, first place in the district will be settled by a coin flip.
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