Thursday's softball roundup

Thursday, March 01, 2012
by Joseph Kairalla

In its most recent display of area superiority, two-time defending state champion Palm Beach Gardens routed fifth-ranked Wellington 14-0 on Thursday night.

"Considering the time of year, this was about as good as we can play," Gators coach Randy Jackson said. "Things are coming together just as they should."

The Gators (8-0) feature an offensive lineup with virtually no holes. That was certainly the case against Wellington, as every starter had at least one hit.

Sydney Jones got the Gators going when she led off the third inning with a solo home run. Two batters later, South Florida-signee Ta'Coia Williams smashed a solo shot of her own.

In the fourth, Williams hit her second homer - a three-run blast to center field - to make it 6-0.

Williams has torched area pitching all season, partly because the Gators' depth means opposing teams can't pitch around her.

"It's a strength of our team - everyone hits, everyone contributes," Williams said. "It makes it easier knowing the person behind you is a very good hitter."

Virginia Spring did the damage in the fifth inning for Gardens when she hit a three-run homer - the Gators' fourth of the game - extending the lead to 9-0.

Spring's homer knocked Wolverine starter Remi Losey out of the game, but didn't slow the Gators, who added five more runs in the sixth.

Amidst the offensive fireworks, Gardens ace Shelby Turnier did her job just fine, pitching a four-hitter for her eighth victory.

"Business as usual for Shelby," Jackson said. "Seems like no one hits the ball hard off her and she just gets in her rhythm and the innings start going quick."

The win by the Gators sets the stage for Tuesday's showdown with second-ranked Jupiter.

Gardens beat the Warriors 1-0 earlier, yet Jackson says his players still feel they have "something to prove" against their rival.

"They're a good team, but so are we and the girls are anxious to show that. We didn't play our best that first time," Jackson said.

KING'S ACADEMY 10, BENJAMIN 1

Becca Gomez homered, drove in two runs and scored two runs, and Becky Gaidosh added a double and three RBI as the Lions (8-3) handled the Buccaneers (4-3) in West Palm Beach. Arden Pettit had two hits, including a double, for Benjamin.

SANTALUCES 10, FOREST HILL 0 (5)

Lindsey Hall pitched a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts and Erica Winn added a double, a triple and two RBI as the Chiefs (6-3) routed the Falcons in Lantana.

ST. ANDREW'S 11, CARDINAL NEWMAN 1

Kaitlin Grecz had four hits, three RBI and three runs scored and Cristina Ramirez added three RBI and a run scored as the Scots (5-1) dominated the Crusaders in West Palm Beach.

GRANDVIEW PREP 6, SPANISH RIVER 3

Samantha Perez had a hit and two RBI but the Sharks (5-6) fell to the Pride in Boca Raton.

POPE JOHN PAUL II 10, FORT LAUDERDALE-PINE CREST 5

Abby Sampson scored two runs and had an RBI, and Baillie Jorth pitched a complete game to go along with a triple and four RBI as the Eagles (7-1) topped the Panthers in Boca Raton.

FORT LAUDERDALE-WESTMINSTER ACADEMY 12, LAKE WORTH CHRISTIAN 8

Mackenzie Morrell had a double, two runs scored, two RBI and two stolen bases, but the Defenders (2-3) fell to the Lions in Boynton Beach. Rebecca Ross had five strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings for Lake Worth Christian.