Young Lions hope to handle a new class
Youth has been served at Faith Christian.
The Lions, coming off the first region final appearance in program history, are relying on a slew of underclassmen while pursuing another postseason push.
Following the loss of only two players from last year’s team, a sophomoreladen lineup includes just two senior starters for a squad tasked with navigating a new district after moving from Class 2A to 3A.
“With all the young kids we have, it’s been cool to see how they’ve been developing,” Faith Christian coach Alan Kozy said. “You can see the transition.”
Among the young standouts is pitcher Emily Dickens, who recorded the 250th strikeout of her young career early this season.
Dickens, a freshman, has been the starter in the circle since seventh grade. While not overpowering, Kozy says her mechanics have complemented the ball-placement and control of the five pitches in her repertoire.
Faith went into Friday’s game against Celebration at 4-2 on the season.
Hagerty reloaded
A loss in the 8A state semis marked the end of a prodigious prep career for Samantha Worrell, the 2015 Sentinel softball player of the year. But Hagerty is out to a 7-1 start this season backed by three standout seniors, including Rollins signee Sarah Harrison.
Harrison, one of four all-area returning players, is joined in the outfield by Colgate signee Jordan Miller. Alicia Tomberlin (Daytona State) plays catcher and third base.
Hagerty’s only loss was 1-0 in nine innings to Winter Springs, another of the area’s top teams.
Names to know
Joining Harrison on the short list of returning all-area players is seniors Jade Caraway (West Orange) and Kyra Gipson (Mount Dora) and junior Cortney Wentzell (St. Cloud).
Caraway, a center fielder headed for N.C. State, was named defensive player of the year in 8A last season for the region runner-up Warriors.
Wentzell hit nine home runs as a shortstop last year. Gipson, a Seminole State signee, pitched the Hurricanes to the 5A region finals.
Senior Sara Crawford is hitting .619 with six home runs for St. Cloud (6-1).
Sophomore Taylor Scala is batting .680 (17-for-25) for East River.
Seminole junior pitcher Georgina Corrick racked up 100 strikeouts in her first nine starts.
Tourney time
Spruce Creek hosts the 16-team Battle at the Beach Softball Slam on March 18-19 at Coraci Park in Port Orange. Participating teams include Lake Howell, Deltona, Winter Springs, and Hagerty.
The Montverde Academy Invitational Softball Tournament, March 18-19, includes West Orange and Apopka
Osceola’s 24th Annual Kissimmee Klassic is March 31-April 2.
The two-division format features 32 teams and more than 60 seniors who have signed with college programs. Area entries include Hagerty, Lake Howell, Lake Nona, Montverde, St. Cloud, Orange City University and Winter Springs.