Bruins blank St. Pete Lakewood; Braden River advances
BRADENTON -- "Two. One. Six. Two. One. Six. Two. One. Six."
The seventh-inning chant by Bayshore High softball fans acknowledged the success of pitcher Mim Schmoll (No. 21) and catcher Lashara James (No. 6) as they combined to strike out 14 batters in the Bruins' 3-0 win over St. Petersburg Lakewood Tuesday night in the semifinal round of the Class 5A-District 11 tournament on the Bruins' home field.
"She was lights out," Bayshore ninth-year head coach Frank Luther said of Schmoll. "She's that kind of player. She's that kind of kid. She thrives on the big games."
Schmoll faced only two more than the minimum number of batters in a seven-inning game.
Schmoll and James also provided all the offensive punch the Bruins needed. The leadoff batter, Schmoll hit a home run, and a double to right field that resulted in courtesy runner Keera Kelly scoring. James, who followed Schmoll in the lineup, later hit a towering homer to right.
Bayshore (13-3) advanced to play Sarasota Booker in the championship game, Thursday at 7 at Bayshore. The host Tornadoes upended Southeast, 5-2 Tuesday.
Bayshore defeated St. Pete Lakewood for the third time this season.
"I knew it was going to be a tough game," Luther said. "The first time it was kind of easy. The second time it got tougher." So Luther told his team before Tuesday's game that it would be even tougher this time around.
It's playoff time, he said. If you win, you play again. If you lose, you go home.
Both teams played like they wanted to play again.
While Schmoll and James were making Bayshore fans talk about hanging Ks on the outfield fence, Lakewood pitcher Shaneece Gray struck out eight Bruins, at least one in each inning. But the Lady Spartans went home, ending their season with a 6-13 overall record.
Schmoll led off the game with her double. Courtesy runner Kelly promptly stole third base and scored on a sacrifice bunt by center fielder JoJo Muldoon for a 1-0 Bayshore lead three batters into the game.
Schmoll led off the third with a home run to right. James hit her booming forehand - the ball landed on a tennis court -- in the sixth.
Schmoll, who has been around softball for more than 10 years, suffered a knee injury last year. The University of South Florida-commit possesses seven pitches Luther says she can throw in any situation.
Schmoll teamed with James to strike out one batter in the first, two in the second, two in the third, three in the fourth, two in the fifth, three in the sixth and the final batter of the game. She has struck out as many as 19 in high school games.
Luther said Schmoll will be Bayshore's starting pitcher for the remainder of the Bruins' playoff run.
Bayshore's three losses this season were to Venice (in eight innings), Tampa Academy of Holy Names and North Port. Two of those losses can be attributed to errors, Luther said.
Luther told his team that achieving the top district tournament seed was their first goal.
The next is winning the district championship Thursday. Then they can concentrate on succeeding during the remainder of the state playoffs.
"Come Thursday, it's a one-game season," Luther said. "They understand the importance of playing for the moment."
Braden River routs Brandon
Braden River avoided the trap game in blowing past visiting Brandon in the Pirates' Class 7A-District 9 semifinal. Braden River induced a mercy-rule shortened four-inning game with a 15-0 victory behind 17 hits. Leading the offensive explosion were a bevy of hitters that included: Myah Moy (3-for-3, double, three runs scored, walk), Ali Yawn (3-for-4, three RBIs, two runs scored), Brooke Farrow (2-for-3, two doubles, two RBIs, two runs scored), Bethany Keen (2-for-3, triple, four RBIs, two runs scored) and Linda Ross (3-for-3, RBI, three runs scored).
Yawn also threw a one-hitter, while fanning five batters against two walks to pick up the victory. The Pirates play for the district title Thursday at 7 p.m. at Ruskin Lennard High.
This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bruins blank St. Pete Lakewood; Braden River advances ."