East Lake takes PCAC title
The Eagles, who already won a title at the Leopard Slam earlier this month, added another in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference championship game.
Thanks to dominant pitching and key hitting, East Lake cruised to an 8-0 victory over St. Petersburg.
Lucy Mondok, a freshman, played a big role.
The Eagles ace threw a two-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts. She also set a school record, becoming the first freshman to record 150 strikeouts in a season.
Mondok was just as strong at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs to give herself all the run support she needed.
PHU’s Katchuk records 200 career victories
Last week, Palm Harbor University coach Kerry Katchuk hit a milestone with his 200th career victory at the school.
Katchuk had the inevitable task of replacing Chuck Poetter, who guided the Hurricanes to three state titles, including an undefeated season and national title in 2005 before retiring from coaching high school softball at the end of the 2012 season.
It turned out to be a seamless transition.
Katchuk has continued to keep the program among the state’s best.
The proof is in the record.
In 10 seasons, Katchuk has averaged 20 wins per year.
Senior superlatives
Three weeks after recording her 100th career hit, Mitchell’s Kinnah Kreidler had a memorable moment on senior night.
The Mustangs’ veteran, who has signed with the University of Tampa, drove in eight runs, thanks in part to two homers, including a grand slam, in a win over Dunedin.
The state’s super stealers
Five area players rank among the top 11 in the state in stolen bases. Here is the list below. Area players are in bold.
| Stolen bases | Player, team |
| 48 | Kyleigh Myers, Plant City |
| 45 | Kayleigh Gibbs, Plant City |
| 43 | Preslynn Baker, Moore Haven |
| 42 | Ella Thomas, The Villages Charter |
| 41 | Mickey Coslor, Port Charlotte |
| 40 | Keyanna Stanley, Poinciana |
| 39 | Kylie Shaw, Evangelical Christian |
| 38 | Tayten Moore, Canterbury |
| 37 | Kate Miller, St. Petersburg Catholic |
| 37 | Maryanne Gunter, Central |
| 37 | Holly Robiitaille, Hernando Christian |
Swiping a record
Riverview’s Aniyah Hicks is adept at stealing bases, so much that she already has shattered the single season school record.
The junior has swiped 24 bases, breaking the previous record of 16.
Power surge
Hernando’s Hannah Taylor, the reigning Class 3A state player of the year, leads the state in homers with 15. River Ridge’s Sophie Johnson also ranks near the top with 10 home runs.
Several other area players are within striking distance of reaching double digits in homers heading into district play.
Check out the list of local leaders below.
| Home runs | Player, team |
| 15 | Hannah Taylor, Hernando |
| 10 | Sophie Johnson, River Ridge |
| 9 | Mimi Gooden, Gaither |
| 8 | Lily Holtje, Steinbrenner |
| 8 | Izzy LaRoche, Nature Coast |
| 8 | Kinnah Kreidler, Mitchell |
| 8 | Morgen Talley, Calvary Christian |
Today’s area district quarterfinal games
What to watch
Sunlake (14-11) at Mitchell (13-12), 7
From 2017-21, these teams met in the district tournament or playoffs on a yearly basis.
This time, they will renew their rivalry earlier than expected in the quarterfinals of the Class 6A, District 5 tournament.
The host Mustangs, the No. 4 seed, won the first meeting this season 8-0.
But the No. 5 seed Seahawks have turned things, winning six straight games to close out the regular season.
Riverview (14-10) at Sumner (16-5), 7
This Class 7A, District 7 quarterfinal matchup marks the first time these teams have met this season.
The No. 5 seed Sharks are trying to turn things around after losing two of their last three regular season games. Offensive production is key for that to happen after getting shut out in the last two losses.
The host Stingrays, the No. 4 seed, lost 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning to Berkeley Prep in the regular season finale. That snapped Sumner’s four game win streak.
Today’s area district quarterfinal schedules
Class 7A-6
At various sites
No. 5 Ridge Community at No. 4 Durant, 7
Class 7A-7
At various sites
No. 6 Alonso at No. 3 Palm Harbor University, 4
No. 5 Riverview at No. Sumner, 7
Class 6A-5
At various sites
No. 5 Sunlake at No. 4 Mitchell, 7
No. 6 Largo at No. 3 Land O’ Lakes, 7
Class 6A-6
At various sites
No. 5 Hillsborough at No. 4 Tampa Bay Tech, 7
Class 6A-7
At various sites
No. 5 Armwood at No. 4 Lennard, 7
Class 6A-10
At various sites
No. 6 Lakeland Kathleen at No. 3 Plant City, 7:30
Class 5A-5
At Belleview
No. 5 Leesburg vs. No. 4 Springstead, 7
Class 5A-7
At Wesley Chapel
No. 5 Fivay vs. No. 4 Zephyrhills, 7
Class 5A-10
At various sites
No. 5 Bradenton Southeast at No. 4 Spoto, 7
Class 4A-9
At Robinson
No. 5 King vs. No. 4 Brandon, 5
No. 6 Blake vs. No. 3 Jefferson, 7
Class 4A-5
At various sites
No. 5 Weeki Wachee at No. 4 Central, 7
Class 2A-9
At Seffner Christian
No. 5 Foundation Christian vs. No. 4 Seffner Christian, 4
Class 2A-10
At Canterbury
No. 5 Cambridge Christian vs. No. 4 Northside Christian, 5
