Wednesday’s area district title games
Class 7A-7
Plant 7, Palm Harbor 5 (nine innings)
The Panthers, the top seed in the district, showed off their power at the plate to win a title and extend their win streak to 15 games.
Teagan Riley hit two homers and Lauren Luciani and Graci Quinlan each had one. Luciani’s blast ended it in the ninth inning to bring home the title.
But the offense was not just limited to homers.
Riley and Abby Lucas led the way with three hits and Elizabeth Breen, Gracie Ciccarello and Graci Quinlan each added two.
That production was needed to get past the Hurricanes, which advanced to the final with a win over No. 2 seed Steinbrenner in the semifinals.
PHU scored three runs in the fourth inning, thanks to a homer by Gabriella Young, to lead 4-1. The Panthers answered with four runs in the fifth to go ahead, then the Hurricanes tied it with a run in the sixth.
That ultimately set up Luciani’s heroics in the ninth inning.
Class 6A-5
East Lake 6, Sickles 1
Last month, the Eagles beat the Gryphons to win the Leopard Slam title.
On Wednesday, East Lake beat Sickles again – this time for a district championship.
Clinging to a 2-1 lead in the final, the Eagles pulled away by scoring two runs in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth.
Madison Bostak had three hits and Meagan Bostak, Kayla Christensen, Anna Folger and Molly Rodenbush each had to lead East Lake’s offense. Rodenbush also drove in three runs.
Lucy Mondok did the rest. The freshman ace allowed one earned run on three hits and finished with three strikeouts.
Chloe Eichelberger had a hit and drove in Sickles’ lone run.
Class 5A-7
River Ridge 6, Wesley Chapel 5
After losing a 3-2 heartbreaker in extra innings to the Wildcats last month, the Royal Knights won when it mattered most.
This time, River Ridge got off to a strong start, building a 6-0 lead through the first three innings, then holding on for the title.
Lillian Jackson hit a homer and Caitlin Blankenship and Taryn Newton each had two hits for River Ridge.
The Wildcats rallied with a run in the fourth inning and four more in the fifth but could not get any closer.
Hannah Davila led Wesley Chapel’s comeback attempt by going 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Teammate Alexis Gattuso also went 2-for-3.
Class 5A-9
St. Petersburg 6, Northeast 3
Though the Green Devils lost their last three regular season games, they did not lose confidence.
All three games were against quality opponents, which helped St. Petersburg prepare for the district tournament.
After routing Leto 15-0 in the semifinals, the Green Devils faced rival Northeast in the title game.
For the second time this season, St. Peterburg beat the Vikings.
Trailing 3-1, the Green Devils rallied with three runs in the fifth inning and added two more in the sixth.
Jasmine Cummings went 3-for-3 with an RBI, Joselyn Castagner had two hits and an RBI and Daniela Leombruno drove in two runs to lead St. Petersburg on offense.
That was more than enough support for Green Devils ace Sarah Blackett, who gave up three hits and recorded eight strikeouts.
Ava Twinam had two of Northeast’s three hits.
Class 2A-11
Bradenton Christian 5, Admiral Farragut 4
The Blue Jackets nearly had a chance to pull off the win.
Trailing 5-3 in the seventh inning, Admiral Farragut walked in a run and had the bases loaded with two outs but could not force a tie or go ahead.
Sienna Bailey (3-for-4) and Emma Harris (2-for-3) were the leaders on offense for the Blue Jackets.
Wednesday’s semifinal games
Class 6A-6
Wiregrass Ranch 12, Tampa Bay Tech 6
Prime time performers
Gracie Bethel, Wiregrass Ranch: Ended up going 2-for-4 with a homer and an RBI in a win over Tampa Bay Tech.
Kylee Johnson, Wiregrass Ranch: Powered the offense by going with a 2-for-3 with a homer, two RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Tampa Bay Tech.
Juliana Snyder, Wiregrass Ranch: Had a homer, a double, an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Tampa Bay Tech.
Aubrey Zechmann, Wiregrass Ranch: Went 2-for-3 with three runs scored in a win over Tampa Bay Tech.
Class 4A-9
At Robinson
Jefferson 15, Middleton 1
Robinson 15, King 0
Prime time performers
Elisa Aguilar-Diaz, Jefferson: Went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs in a win over Middleton.
Iriana Diaz, Jefferson: Had two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Middleton.
Daijah Madry, Jefferson: Threw four innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out six in a win over Middleton.
Class 4A-10
Dunedin 4, Boca Ciega 2
Clearwater, 11, Tarpon Springs 1
Prime time performers
Camryn Busch, Clearwater: Drove in two runs in a win over Tarpon Springs.
Megan Kimmet, Clearwater: Hurled four innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out five in a win over Tarpon Springs.
Katelyn Martin, Dunedin: Threw two perfect innings in relief with four strikeouts and went 2-for-4 with a double at the plate in a win over Boca Ciega.
Morgan Maske, Clearwater: Had a double, two RBIs and two runs scored at the plate and threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts on the mound.
Tonight’s area schedule
All games are district finals.
Class 7A-6
No. 3 Winter Haven at No. 1 Newsome, 7
Class 6A-6
No. 2 Gaither at No. 1 Wiregrass Ranch, 7
Class 6A-7
No. 2 Palmetto at No. 1 Bloomingdale, 7
Class 5A-8
No. 3 Countryside at No. 1 Osceola, 7
Class 5A-5
At Belleview
No. 2 Pasco vs. No. 1 Lecanto, 7
Class 5A-10
No. 2 East Bay at No. 1 Parrish Community, 7
Class 4A-5
No. 2 Nature Coast at No. 1 Citrus, 7
Class 4A-9
No. 3 Jefferson at No. 1 Robinson, 7
Class 4A-10
At Dunedin
No. 2 Dunedin vs. No. 1 Clearwater, 7
Class 3A-6
No. 2 South Sumter at No. 1 Hernando, 7
Class 3A-9
No. 2 Academy of the Holy Names at No. 1 Berkeley Prep, 7
Class 3A-11
No. 2 Clearwater Central Catholic at No. 1 Calvary Christian, 6
Class 2A-6
At Seven Rivers Christian
No. 3 Hernando Christian at No. 1 Academy at the Lakes, 6
Class 2A-10
At Canterbury
No. 2 Canterbury vs. No. 1 Lakeside Christian, 6
