5A-11 softball: Seminole, East Lake advance with routs

Class 5A, district 11

Seminole, East Lake advance with routs

TARPON SPRINGS — The goals for Seminole and East Lake in the Class 5A, District 11 semifinals were relatively simple.

That is, to stay focused, score early against their respective opponents and avoid injuries.

While the Warhawks and Eagles won in mercy-rule shortened games, East Lake enters Thursday's final with lingering injuries in its lineup.

The Eagles (22-2) beat the Falcons 10-0 despite not having ace Alyssa Bache (20-2), who has a strain in her pitching forearm. But freshman right-hander Kristin Berlo did fine, allowing three hits and a walk over six innings for her second win of the year.

Alyssa Weaver had a two-run triple, Kelsey Oonk went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Erin Rawls went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

But the Eagles need Bache against the Warhawks, who lost to East Lake in close contests (3-0 and 3-1) in the regular season. And they might be without starting centerfielder Kirsten Bembnowski (knee) and Abby Hess and Caitlyn Smith (flu).

Sarah Read did not allow a hit over five innings while striking out six in Seminole's 16-0 win over Tarpon Springs. She added a three-run homer. Amanda Netty went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and Jenny Sitlow went 3-for-3 with three runs as the Warhawks put together a six-run third inning and a seven-run fourth.

Chris Girandola, Times correspondent