By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
Published August 5, 2005
ZEPHYRHILLS - It has been 20 years since the East Pasco Belles played in a Dixie Softball League World Series. And like that 1985 team, this year's squad (ages 13-15) placed fifth.
East Pasco went 2-2 in last week's series at Dothan, Ala. A 4-3 loss to host Dothan preceded 6-5 and 7-4 wins over Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. East Pasco bowed out of the tournament after a 5-3 loss to World Series champion Montgomery, Ala.
"I think we did awesome," East Pasco manager Mike Mills said. "I don't believe we could have taken a better bunch of girls up there to play ball. They never gave up, even down to the last out."
Pitcher Kim Buntyn had an RBI double and scored a run in the series opener for East Pasco, but took the loss after Dothan scored an unearned run in the sixth.
Jessica Davis, who pitches for Zephyrhills High, won the next two games. Davis helped herself in the Tennessee game with two home runs, including a two-run shot. Ashley Snyder also homered in that game.
"Where that came from I have no idea," Mills said of his team's only home runs in the series. "They just timed it."
Christin Boettcher sparked the offense against Virginia with a two-run triple and a run-scoring double. Becky Lane added an RBI double in that contest with Snyder and Samantha Swafford contributing RBI singles. The final game, which ended East Pasco's season, could be blamed on anything but the defense, as East Pasco turned five double plays.
"To turn five double plays and still lose the game ... " Mills said. "Usually with something like that you're on the winning side."
Catcher Haven Mills, the manager's daughter, had a hand in four of those deuces. Only Snyder's catch of a liner and quick step on third base to double up a runner did not involve Mills.
Pitcher Becky Lane was in on the first two, a 1-2-5 and 1-2-3 involving first baseman Heather Patterson. Mills tagged a runner out after centerfielder Boettcher caught a flyball and threw home. And Davis, playing shortstop, stated a 6-2-5 double play.
The West Pasco Debs (16-18) also played in a World Series at Dothan, but lost both games - 10-5 against Arkansas and 6-1 against Louisiana. Fielding led to West Pasco's downfall in its opener. "Five errors at crucial times (led to that defeat)," manager Al Marquis said.
Shortstop Lisa Dobraski's knee injury during warmups for the second game forced Marquis to juggle his lineup. Christina Skulas, who was slated to start on the mound, played short and Dobraski's sister, Tricia, pitched.
