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Wildcats Rally Past Red Devil Softballers

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Avon Park's Danielle Tomlinson and the Red Devils welcomed rival Sebring to town on Tuesday night.

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Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: March 4, 2009

WAUCHULA - Despite frigid conditions, Avon Park started fast by scoring four runs in the top of the first inning in Monday night's Class 4A-District 10 softball game against Hardee.

But it wasn't enough offense against the Wildcats, who got behind clutch hits from Kristina Garcia and Elvira Servin and stormed back for a 12-8 win.

The loss dropped the Red Devils to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in district play, while the Wildcats improved to 3-4, 3-2.

"This was a good win for us," said first-year Hardee coach Leigh Beumel. "It was very cold and we fell behind early, but we stayed focused and started swinging the bats."

Miranda Powell, one of four seniors on the youthful Wildcat squad, earned the win with six innings of solid pitching.

"Miranda is one of our seniors and she did a good job of keeping us in the game until our offense got going," said Beumel.

Avon Park's Brearnna Tate smacked a two-run home run and Favia Cotte blasted a three-run double to pace the Red Devil offense.

Amber Tindell pitched well for Avon Park, but three errors proved costly in the close loss.

"We swung the bats well and hit the ball hard," said first-year AP coach Wade Jackson. "Amber did a good job on the mound and we played well for most of the game behind her, but we made a few errors late in the game that hurt us.

"We're a very young team, but the girls are working hard and showing a lot heart and we improve with every game we play.

Hardee is back on the diamond in a non-district game at Mulberry on Friday, while Avon Park is at Braden River in a Class 4A-District 10 game on Friday night.

The Highlands Today sports department can be reached at 863-386-5841 or sports@highlandstoday.com.

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