(SPRING HILL)- Part of the plan heading into the 2018 season for Springstead’s varsity softball team was to load up the regular season with some of the Tampa Bay area’s best squads and the recent schedule hasn’t done them any favors.
The Eagles (18-3), whom are currently ranked No. 3 in the state in Class 6A behind No. 1 New Port Richey River Ridge and Land O’ Lakes, has faced some tough competition as of late en route to the final couple of weeks of the regular season. Springstead has faced the likes of Academy at the Lakes, whom is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A and Palm Harbor University, who is No. 6 in Class 9A.
Eagles coach Craig Swartout points to the plan conceived before the season started in helping his club see some of the area’s best teams.
“Part of our plan was to make sure we had a tough schedule and make sure we are ready for the playoffs,” Swartout said. “You’ve got Bloomingdale, Academy at the Lakes (AATL) and Palm Harbor University (PHU). We wanted to branch out a little bit. Any time we can catch one of these Tampa teams we try to make it happen, but we always can’t get our schedules right.”
The current variety of teams that the Eagles face varies in classifications, as Springstead has seen PHU from 9A to Sunlake in 7A and AATL in 2A. All aforementioned clubs have been in the top 10 all season long in their respective classes and Swartout believes his team has had the opportunities to see the county’s best week in and week out. Though Springstead didn’t get to face region foes River Ridge or Land O’ Lakes, its schedule has been solid nonetheless.
“You see how a Class 9A team does it compared to a Class 7A team,” Swartout said. “You don’t always get an opportunity to experience things like that. We lost to Academy at the Lakes by one run, Sunlake one run and Palm Harbor by four runs. To be honest, being in a six team district and playing all of our county clubs, we wanted to make sure we put the toughest teams on the schedule.”
Springstead is the top seed in Class 6A, District 6 and are currently 10-0 against district opponents. The district tournament is just a couple weeks from now and with the Eagles defeating Lecanto 5-2 on Monday night, the district is up for grabs.
“Our goal right now is to win the district title and that’s our main focus,” Swartout added. “We don’t want to look ahead at all. We are getting everyone’s best shot. We wanted to be the No. 1 seed for a reason. I think every team in our district can win it. We can’t get over confident at all. We have to keep our eye on the prize. Anybody can win our district. That’s the truth.”
