It’s opening night for most of the softball teams in the Tampa Bay area. Here are eight games you don’t want to miss and the full list of tonight’s matchups.
Monday scoreboard
Clearwater 14, Canterbury 6
Prime time performers
Kyleigh Braman, Clearwater: Had two doubles and two RBIs in a win over Canterbury.
Morgan Maske, Clearwater: Recorded nine strikeouts on the mound and had two hits at the plate in a win over Canterbury.
Jadah Nicholls, Clearwater: Powered the Tornadoes by going 4-for-4 with two doubles, five RBIs and a run scored in a win over Canterbury.
Juleah Patterson, Clearwater: Went 4-for-5 with an RBI and five runs scored in a win over Canterbury.
What to watch tonight
Academy of the Holy Names (0-0) at Clearwater Central Catholic (0-0), 4
Since losing to the Jaguars 15-0 last year, the host Marauders made great strides, finishing 13-9 and making the Class 3A region quarterfinals. Now, CCC will find out how much it has closed the gap against Academy of the Holy Names, which made the region semifinals a year ago and is poised for another strong playoff push.
Clearwater (1-0) at East Lake (0-0), 7
The Eagles are hosting their 15th annual Strike Out Cancer Game. Luminaries bearing the names of survivors as well as those who lost their battle with cancer line the sidewalk leading up to the field. Balloons representing the colors of each type of cancer are tied to the bleachers. East Lake’s players make signs of support. The matchup also is a good one between playoff teams from a year ago.
Calvary Christian (0-0) at Northeast (0-0), 7
The host Vikings, who just missed out on a playoff spot last season, put together a tough schedule, starting with an opening matchup against the two-time defending Class 3A state champion Warriors.
Hernando (0-0) at Nature Coast (0-0), 7
The Leopards dominated the series with their rival last season, winning both games by a combined 28-1. Hernando will not have as much pop in its lineup with two-time 3A state player of the year Hannah Taylor now at Eckerd, but the lineup will still be formidable.
Wiregrass Ranch (0-0) at Wesley Chapel (0-0), 7
Last year’s meeting between the Pasco County rivals was a thriller with the Bulls winning 6-5 in eight innings. The matchup features a pair of first-year coaches (Wiregrass Ranch’s Tyler Finn and Wesley Chapel’s Ashley Nickisher) who each inherit playoff teams from a year ago.
Plant (0-0) at Riverview (0-0), 7
This is a rematch from the Class 7A-7 district semifinals last season that the Panthers won 3-2 enroute to reaching the state title game. Plant still has a lineup capable of making another deep playoff run.
Wharton (0-0) at Sickles (0-0), 7
Chris Patterson makes his regular season as coach of the Gryphons, who start off with a tough matchup against the Wildcats.
Gaither (0-0) at Newsome (0-0), 7
The Cowboys will have a revamped roster after graduating most of their production from last year’s team that reached the Class 6A region semifinals. The Wolves, meanwhile, return seven of their top eight leaders in batting average from last year’s team that reached the Class 7A region quarterfinals.
Steinbrenner (0-0) at Sumner (0-0), 7
The Warriors are coming off an impressive season in which they knocked off perennial powerhouse Lakewood Ranch in the Class 7A region quarterfinals. The first test is a good one against the host Stingrays, who finished 16-6 a year ago.
Tonight’s county schedules
Hernando County
Hernando Christian at Cambridge Christian, 4
Crystal River at Central, 7
Hernando at Nature Coast, 7
Springstead at Citrus, 7
Hillsborough County
Academy of the Holy Names at Clearwater Central Catholic, 4
Hernando Christian at Cambridge Christian, 4
Northside Christian at Seffner Christian, 4
Academy at the Lakes at Tampa Catholic, 6
Gaither at Newsome, 7
Freedom at Plant City, 7
Hillsborough at Robinson, 7
Jefferson at Chamberlain, 7
Alonso at Lennard, 7
Plant at Riverview, 7
Tampa Bay Tech at King, 7
Wharton at Sickles, 7
Steinbrenner at Sumner, 7
Pasco County
Academy at the Lakes at Tampa Catholic, 6
River Ridge at Gulf, 7
Land O’ Lakes at Pasco, 7
Wiregrass Ranch at Wesley Chapel, 7
Mitchell at Anclote, 7
Sunlake at Zephyrhills, 7:30
Pinellas County
Admiral Farragut at Shorecrest, 4
Northside Christian at Seffner Christian, 4
Boca Ciega at St. Petersburg Catholic, 4:15
Academy of the Holy Names at Clearwater Central Catholic, 4
Clearwater at East Lake, 7
Calvary Christian at Northeast, 7
Seminole at Tarpon Springs, 7
Gibbs at Lakewood, 7
Pinellas Park at Hollins, 7
Countryside at Osceola, 7
St. Petersburg at Largo, 7
