By Kerry Klecic, Times Correspondent
Saturday, March 19, 2011
ZEPHYRHILLS — It didn't matter that Strawberry Crest ace Brianna Alonso didn't have her best stuff Saturday.
The Chargers' batters had theirs.
Strawberry Crest used a big sixth to pull away from Mitchell 9-4 in the Zephyrhills Spring Softball Tournament final.
"There hasn't been a weak spot in our lineup," Strawberry Crest coach Mindy Miltner said. "The girls have worked really hard, and they came through. Hitting is contagious, and right now, we're contagious."
Mitchell (9-4) was in the game until the sixth, trailing 4-2. However, the Chargers (13-1) roughed up Cori Williams, who struck out five and walked six in a complete game. A pair of singles brought in two runs. Then Sierra Larey, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, laced a double off the rightfield fence for two more. She eventually came in to score the Chargers' final run.
For a while, it looked as if the Mustangs would pull off the upset. They took a 2-1 lead in the third against Alonso, who pitched four innings without a strikeout. With two on, third baseman Amber Satterwhite lined a fastball into rightfield on which Phoebe Ellington failed to make a diving catch.
The Chargers regained the lead in the bottom of the third. And closer Savannah Bradley came in to pitch three solid innings to allow Strawberry Crest to match its win total from last season.