Last weekend, the Dixie Softball All-Stars District 4 Tournaments took place at West Pasco’s Oakridge Park in New Port Richey, with teams from Spring Hill and Hernando Youth League taking part.
In the Belles (age 13-15) division, the county’s best finish came via Spring Hill, the district runner-up to host West Pasco. Only district champions advance to states.
“I’m very proud of what our Spring Hill Belles did at this tournament,” Spring Hill Belles head coach Mark Mayersky said. “They represented our league well. We had a very young team. They all contributed to the team.”
Spring Hill had a rough start to the double-elimination event on June 17, losing to West Pasco, 17-3. But the next day the Hernando County crew bounced back to knock off Wesley Chapel, 17-1 in five innings.
Leah Grant paced Spring Hill tossing a complete game, and went 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored. Cleanup hitter Sawsha Grant went 2-for-3, highlighted by a three-run triple, and scored twice. Sierra Hill and Gianna Espinal each went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
“The girls came together as a group on their own and it showed on Saturday,” Mayersky said. “They came out strong hitting and on defense.”
On Sunday, Spring Hill dropped the final in a rematch with West Pasco, 15-7. Heaven Perez’s three-run single provided a 3-1 advantage in the second, but West Pasco eventually rallied back in front for good.
“The thing about playing a team like West Pasco, they’re so talented, you can’t make any mistakes. You can’t have a bad inning and our bad inning was the fifth,” Mayersky said. “We knew they would put the ball in play. We may make a mistake here and there, but as long as we stood strong and kept fighting, and we did.
“West Pasco will represent (the district) well at the state tournament. I wouldn’t be surprised if they go beyond that.”
Mayersky also pointed out the infield leadership of shortstop Madison Moran and defense of third baseman Emily Kleiner, as well as the errorless outfield of Autumn Anderson, Allison Mayersky and Annika Ritter-Bellon. The bunting of Ava Thompson and Taylor Yentz were vital to Spring Hill’s small-ball strategy, the coach said.
“The best part for me as a coach, I consider these kids and their parents as part of my family,” Coach Mayersky said. “The best part is sharing all these moments with them. I look forward to the tournament next year.”
Spring Hill’s Darlings (age 7-8) and Angels (age 9-10) went 1-2, while the HYL Angels (age 9-10) and Ponytails (11-12) each wound up 0-2.
Three county teams did not have to play in districts, automatically advancing to the state tournament starting July 8 in Okeechobee. That includes Debs (age 16-18) entries from both Spring Hill and HYL, along with the Spring Hill Ponytails, who are participating in the “traditional” division of that age group rather than the “X-play” division featured at the district level.
Follow Chris Bernhardt Jr. on Twitter @cpbernhardtjr.