Bay Area Batting Order (softball rankings): Where it never rains

Because cyperspace is weather-proof, we proudly bring you our latest local softball rankings with absolutely no delays or postponements. Which isn't to say a few teams won't want to punch a few extra holes in our ponchos upon seeing where their team stands.

Leadoff: Gaither (11-2)
Last week's ranking: 1st
Last week's results: defeated Mitchell, 2-1; defeated Wharton, 11-9
Enigmatic week for Cowboys, who show nary a flaw against Pasco County power Mitchell before surrendering 13 hits to a two-win Wharton club. But as ace Morgan Grove gets healthier -- and she is -- we see Gaither becoming more consistent.

2nd: Pasco (10-0)
Last week's ranking: 2nd
Last week's results: defeated Sunlake, 8-1; defeated Springstead, 10-0
Recently, Pirates FRESHMAN Courtney Brandt tossed a no-hitter. Last week, SOPHOMORE Megan Newsome homered in both games of a double header. And lest we forget, JUNIOR Colena Lazar is the most overpowering pitcher in her area. Dare we suggest the North Suncoast's best team still is a year away?

Three-Hole: Countryside (10-1)
Last week's ranking: 3rd
Last week's results: defeated Mitchell, 4-0
Freshman Alyssa Bache improved to 6-0 with four-hitter against Mitchell. Would someone  kindly check this kid's ID?

Cleanup: Chamberlain (7-0)
Last week's ranking: 4th
Last week's results: defeated Middleton, 17-0; defeated Robinson, 12-0
Stanford-bound senior Mary Kate Smith now is batting only .800, which is akin to saying the Chiefs scored only 29 runs in two games last week.

Fifth: Tarpon Springs (7-1)
Last week's ranking: Fifth
Last week's results: defeated Pinellas Park, 2-1
With last week's crafty eight-inning win against Pinellas Park, courtesy of Danielle Labella's aggressive base running and a Patriots throwing error, the Spongers re-assert themselves as Pinellas County's second-best team

Sixth: River Ridge (6-0)
Last week's ranking: 7th
Last week's results: None
So far, the only thing capable of stopping the Knights has been precipitation. Coach Ernie Beck's club has yet to play a game this month. The forecast for Tuesday's showdown against Mitchell, however, looks favorable.

Seven-Hole: Plant (8-1)
Last week's ranking: NR
Last week's results: defeated Leto, 18-1
Plant and Chamberlain, whose matchup Friday was rained out, are essentially the Yankees and Red Sox of Class 5A, District 10. They out-pitch, out-hit and, thanks to healthy booster support, probably out-spend everyone else in the league. 

Eighth: Riverview (6-2)
Last week's ranking: NR
Last week's results: defeated Durant, 2-1
The Sharks got a 15-strikeout effort from senior Ashley McClain in last week's 2-1 upset of Durant. For the year, McClain is 4-1 with 43 strikeouts in 33 innings.

Nine-Hole: Land O'Lakes (6-0)
Last week's ranking: NR
Last week's results: defeated Hudson, 14-2
Because of the litany of rain-outs, we still have no idea just how good the Gators are. A Thursday game against Mitchell and St. Patrick's Day matchup with Pasco -- weather permitting -- will provide the answer.

On the bench: Durant, Mitchell, Nature Coast, Palm Harbor University, Springstead

Comments

[Al Alcala]

Against Wharton, I took all of my starters out of the line-up in the 2nd inning, when the score was 10-1. I replaced the starters with freshmans, including the pitcher Brenia Debuc. We are still playing great and my inexperience players need to play when games like these are permitted. I refuse to beat up on teams that are inexperience and have good coaches that are trying to build a good program. I would rather make it a good game instead of beating teams by 20 or more runs. It is not good for the sport to beat up on inexperience teams.

[Joey Knight]

Having misread the boxscore, I didn't realize Coach Alcala had pulled his pitcher -- and everyone else -- after one inning. At any rate, the class displayed by the Cowboys' coach only re-affirms Gaither's spot in our rankings.

[Katie Brunk]

To "Al Alcala"

I love your comment. I wish there was more coaches like you in Pinellas county! Dont get me wrong i give those few of you that respect "the not to talented teams out there" but come on people....Thats why I loved having you as a coach, Coach Al! For all the Gaither girls feel privileged to have a great coach like him who knows the game and is Classy!

What about SPC. 10-0

[Al Alcala]

Yes, the score was 10-0 against St. Pete Catholic. The score does not depict the way SPC played. Again, I chose to remove the starters after the first inning, when the score was 3-0. The score remained 3-0 until the the sixth inning when Gaither scored 7 runs with all freshman and sophmores playing. SPC played well. SPC are a young team with a young coach who is trying to build a good softball program.

[Softball Fan]

I was talking about the SPC softball team.
They are 10-0 and with Chloe Saganowich on mound they will hard to beat. But they are not in the top ten.
NO RESPECT

[Al Alcala]

St. Pete Catholic is a respectable team especially with Chloe on the mound. She is not only a good pitcher but also a great hitter.Good luck to her and her team.