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News-Sun photo by DAN HOEHNE Mackenzie Myers takes this pitch off her leg Monday night, but the rebuilding Lady Devils weren't able to muster much more in the loss to Sebring.

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published: Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Lady Streaks run past rival Red Devils

By LAUREN WELBORN

News-Sun correspondent

AVON PARK - There is nothing quite like a match-up with a little hometown rivalry to spice up a late winter weeknight.

Such was the case Monday night, despite the one-sided score, as the Sebring varsity softball squad earned a 14-0 victory over the Lady Devils.

Sebring took an early lead in the top of the first, when Kara Faircloth crossed the plate on a passed ball after her RBI to see 5-0 in the Streak's favor.

Avon Park's Mackenzie Myers took one for the team when she was hit by a pitch to put pressure on Sebring, but would not be able to reach home before the end of the inning.

In the top of the second, Sebring continued to add insurance runs with Alison Hoffner's RBI as well as another from Faircloth to see Sebring now up 8-0.

Kyanna Matta laid down a successful slap for the Devils in the bottom of the second but again the Sebring defense would hold scoring threats to a minimum.

The top of the third saw one more run for Sebring as the Devil defense tightened up, as shown by third baseman Johntavia Perry's snag of a frozen rope for the second out.

However, Emily Gilbert would manage to round all four bases after her hit to make the score 9-0 as the top of the fourth began.

Hannah Lollis and Faircloth brought in two more runs before Tayla DaSilva would see a three-run, inside-the-park homer to the left-center gap to peak the Streak lead at 14-0.

"We started five ball players that either don't play a lot or that started out of position, and overall I was very happy with the way they played," said Sebring head coach Joe Sinness. "The girls that come off the bench showed me that they have the ability to come in and perform for me if I've got to put them in a tight spot."

"We are in a rebuilding process right now," explained Lady Devil's head coach Krystle Lawson. "I'm proud of them; they are doing awesome this year.

"We're focusing on the plays and the progress that they're making, and they are making progress every day."

Seeing as how Avon Park lost eight seniors from last year's squad, Lawson is playing a lot of girls with new names to the roster.

"They're happy with turning the plays; we just have got to keep working."

Sebring will go on to take on LaBelle Thursday at Fireman's field, while the Lady Devils will face Ridge Community High School Thursday and Victory Christian Academy Friday.