(SPRING HILL)- The sting still hurts for Springstead’s varsity softball team from last season’s Class 6A, Region 2 championship loss to Land O’ Lakes.
What made it hurt just a little bit more for the Eagles was the fact that the Gators ended up becoming the eventual Class 6A state champions when it was all said and done. Now eight games into the 2018 season, Springstead has picked up right where it left off.
The Eagles are currently sporting an impressive 8-0 record and have handily handled any opponent that has stood in their way. Springstead has allowed a mere four runs and recorded five shutout victories. Nothing less than winning the district and making a deep postseason run will help satisfy the Eagles this time around.
Springstead senior pitcher Kayla Cruz has been dominant in her five starts this season, compiling a record of 5-0 and boasting an earned run average of 0.42. To go along with those stunning stats, Cruz has also struck out 35 batters and allowed just four runs. The ace of the team will be relied upon heavily to guide Springstead to another stellar campaign.
Not to be completely out done by Cruz is fellow pitcher Mariah Galhouse, who is a junior on the roster. Galhouse has been the team’s No. 2 pitcher this season and has done an impressive job so far. The junior is sporting a record of 3-0, no runs allowed and has struck out 20 so far this season.
Not only can Springstead impress on the mound, but the Eagles have been swinging the bats consistently at the plate as well. With 63 runs scored this season, Springstead has shown the ability to put up runs at a record pace. Galhouse leads the team with a batting average of .593, with nine runs batted in and six doubles. The Eagles have belted three home runs so far, as senior Paige Pfent has accounted for two of the homers.
The grind of the regular season is underway and despite having such high aspirations, Springstead has loaded itself once again with several area powers on the schedule. This weekend is the annual Leopard Softball Slam Tournament, which will take place in Brooksville at Tom Varn Park. Also taking part in the tournament from Hernando County will be teams like host Hernando and Nature Coast, respectively.
The Eagles will see their fair share of solid competition, facing the likes of Bloomingdales from Hillsborough County and Dunedin from Pinellas County. Both the Bulls and the Falcons should provide good measuring bars on where the Eagles are at going into spring break. The goal still remains to erase the sting they still feel from last year’s narrow loss to Land O’ Lakes. The road to redemption has begun and Springstead is passing so far with flying colors.