Hardee Steps Past Sebring, LP In Dixie Tourney

SEBRING - Developing solid pitching is paramount for any softball squad, and for Sebring All-Star coach Adam Greene, it's never too early to start.

"You have to start young and get the girls to develop good habits that'll translate into success at the next level," Greene said.

Hardee's Senida Garcia showed the type of talent that teams in the Heartland will be seeing in future years on Thursday, as she allowed just four hits and struck out seven in a 15-2 three-inning, mercy-rule victory over Sebring in the opening round of the Dixie Angels (ages 9-10) District 8 softball tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex.

The two-team, double-elimination tournament continued on Friday, where Sebring tried to stave off elimination and force a deciding third game.

Results were not available at press time. Check out Sunday's Highlands Today for complete results.
Hardee's offense was patient at the plate and scored runs in bunches, as they took a commanding 6-0 lead after the top of the first.

A pair of walks to Kimberly Derringer and Alison Farr kicked off the tournament before Tara McNabb's double into right field plated two runs, while Garcia singled in McNabb from third.

Another pair of walks later and Kristian Judah hit a weak grounder that looked to be an easy out at the plate for Sebring, but Garcia slipped past the tag to score. Two more runs scored on walks before a pair of strike outs by Alexis Goins ended the inning.

Sebring responded by loading the bases on Macy Harris' infield single and a pair of walks by shortstop Logan Lovett and Goins. First baseman Alyssa Rivera's single into center plated Harris to score the home team's first run. But a double play and a strikeout left a pair of runner's on base for Sebring and a 6-1 advantage for Hardee.

Anna Erekson showed some pop in her bat, as her bases-loaded triple into right field scored Derringer, Farr and Garcia, while Hardee plated three additional runners on walk's to Morgan Walters, Illeana Flores and Gabrielle Allen for an 11-run lead.

Garcia looked to be in trouble in the home half of the second, as she walked Oliva Burnett, rightfielder Jenna Lee Labarr and Kaylon Johnson to start off the inning, but three straight strikeouts got her out the jam.

"She's got a really good arm," said Hardee head coach Jake Carlton. "She just needs to continue to improve, and she'll be somebody to look out on the Hardee varsity team."

After Hardee added three more runs in the top of the third, Sebring put the pieces of a rally together.
Lovett led off with a slow grounder toward second base and was able to beat the throw to first for an infield single. After a strikeout, Goins smashed a shot into right field that went over the head of the outfielder and allowed Lovette to score and Goins was in for a stand-up triple.

Sebring's Maddy Coe and catcher Amber Hicks drew walks to put runners at first and second, but Garcia tallied her final strike out to end the game.

Greene was pleased with his team's hustle and overall attitude and looks for improvement in the second game.

"I was really happy with our team defense," Greene said. "We didn't make a lot of errors. It was the walks that hurt us tonight. We have to make Hardee hit the ball and let our defense work for us. That's something we'll address before the next game."

Dixie Ponytails (ages 11-12): Hardee 10,Lake Placid 0
SEBRING - Karlee Henderson threw a no-hitter and struck out 12 in Hardee's 10-0 five-inning, mercy-rule win over Lake Placid in the opening round of the Dixie Ponytails (ages 11-12) District 8 softball tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex on Thursday.

Hardee's Kaitlyn Thomas hit an inside-the-park home run and Alex Ulrich went 3 for 3 in the two-team double-elimination tournament.