Softball: Pinellas County buzz — March 9

Player of the week — Feb. 21-26

Gabby Young, Jr., Palm Harbor University

Position: Third base/outfield

Season stats: .545 average

The lowdown: Two weeks ago, Young went a combined 5-for-7 with a double and five runs scored in the first three games of the season. Fans were impressed. Young had 33 percent of the votes (509) in the Pinellas County player of the week poll to beat out Dunedin’s Grace McLemore, who had 24 percent (369 votes).

Preseason pitcher of the year

Mackenzie Duford, Sr., Seminole

Last season, Duford went 10-1 with a 0.67 ERA while striking out 134 in 83 ⅔ innings. Fans took notice. Duford had 37 percent of the votes (1,727) in the Pinellas County preseason pitcher of the year award to beat out Indian Rocks Christian’s Hailey Ragozine, who had 27 percent (1,249 votes).  

Preseason hitter of the year

Karhys Pierce, So., Palm Harbor University

Last season, Pierce had a memorable high school debut, finishing with a .609 average to go along with 32 RBIs and nine triples. Fans paid attention. Pierce had 38 percent of the votes (1,136) in the Pinellas County preseason hitter of the year poll to beat out East Lake’s Jalyn Sharkey, who had 27 percent (795 votes).

Top 10 rankings

Team/RankRecord
1. Palm Harbor University4-1-1
2. East Lake2-0-1
3. Calvary Christian3-2
4. Seminole4-0
5. Dunedin7-0
6. Osceola 4-2
7. Clearwater4-1
8. Northeast6-3
9. St. Petersburg4-1
10. Clearwater Central Catholic5-2

Monday night rewind (March 7)

Scoreboard

Clearwater Central Catholic 15, Keswick Christian 0

Dunedin 19, Lakewood 0

St. Petersburg 24, Gibbs 0

Anclote 18, Tarpon Springs 2

Prime time team of the night

Dunedin

The Falcons are off to one of their best starts in school history, outscoring foes in their first six games by a combined 81-9. Four players had at least two hits in Monday’s 19-0 rout over Lakewood. Dakota Glock had four RBIs and Jaclyn Ellison and Makayla Oster each had three to lead the offense. Madison Gautreaux, a freshman, threw three scoreless innings, allowing no hits and finishing with 10 strikeouts.

Prime time player of the night

3B/P Ashley Morley, Jr., Clearwater Central Catholic

Threw three perfect innings with eight strikeouts on the mound and went 2-for-2 at the plate in a win over Keswick Christian.

Tuesday night rewind (March 8)

Scoreboard

Clearwater 10, St. Petersburg 3

Admiral Farragut at St. Petersburg Catholic, 4

Palm Harbor University 4, Mitchell 3 (nine innings)

Northside Christian at Keswick Christian, 4:15

Hollins 19, Largo 7

Winter Haven All Saints 10, Lakeside Christian 3

Lakewood Ranch 6, Calvary Christian 0

Northeast 12, Boca Ciega 2

Osceola 9, Countryside 2

Clearwater Central Catholic 18, Tarpon Springs 3

Anclote 18, Lakewood 0

Dunedin 19, Gulf 0

Seminole 3, Pinellas Park 0

Prime time team of the night

Palm Harbor University

The Hurricanes got their first signature win of the season, rallying in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat defending state semifinalist and previously undefeated Mitchell 4-3. Hannah Herring went the distance on the mound, Karhys Pierce was 3-for-4 and Gabby Young drove in the winning run.

Prime time player of the night

P/1B Kayley Williams, Sr., Clearwater

Threw five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out eight, on the mound and hit a solo homer at the plate in a 10-3 win over previously undefeated St. Petersburg.