Durant’s Tyler Danish, a senior right-hander committed to the University of Florida, had yet to give up an earned run this season entering the Cougars region quarterfinal game May 1. He is also batting .387 with 24 RBI, including two home runs in the district tournament, which the Cougars won for the first time since […]
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A look back: 2013 high school softball season
All three area softball teams saw their seasons come to an end Tuesday in their respective FHSAA region semifinal games. Below is a recap of Tuesday’s games, along with a photo gallery of the best photos from the 2013 high school softball season. Crest Falls to Lakewood Ranch Despite outhitting their opponent 11 to 8, […]
Continue ReadingFormer PCHS standout signs as undrafted free agent with Jets
While most of the news Monday in the NFL surrounded the release of New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, a former Plant City High standout is getting an opportunity with the Jets. Offensive lineman Mark Popek has signed with the Jets as part of a 15 player undrafted free agent list. Popek started nine games […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Dayton at VSI Tampa Bay FC
VSI Tampa Bay FC dropped its first home game of its inaugural USL PRO season Friday night, losing to the Dayton Dutch Lions 1-0 at Plant City Stadium. The game was the final home game of a three-game stand. After a scoreless first half, Dayton’s Brandon Swartzendruber put his team up with a goal in the […]
Continue ReadingBaseball: Durant claims first district title in 12 years
For the first time since 2001, the Durant Cougars are district champions. Durant took care of Wharton 5-1 Thursday night at Bloomingdale High in the Class 8A-7 championship. “It’s huge to bring it back home,” said Durant coach Butch Valdes. “Our softball team has done a tremendous job over there and we’ve been trying to […]
Continue ReadingLady Chargers post convincing win
Strawberry Crest cruised to a 5-0 win against Palmetto April 25, in the Class 6A region quarterfinals. The Lady Chargers got its first run in the second and protected the lead with great pitching and defense. The Lady Chargers’ bats began connecting in the fifth, when they posted four runs. The Lady Tigers never were […]
Continue ReadingVSI aims to stay undefeated at home Friday
VSI Tampa Bay FC will be looking for its third straight home victory Friday when they take on the Dayton Dutch Lions at Plant City Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. The Lions (1-0) enter VSI’s den after a dramatic home opening win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last Saturday. Playing a man down for […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Title well deserved for Crest
Collapses and letdowns happen all the time in sports. Whether its brackets busting when No. 2 seeds fall to 15 seeds in the NCAA basketball tournament or the New England Patriots having their perfect season shattered in the Super Bowl by the New York Giants, upsets can be just as popular as teams winning championships. […]
Continue ReadingUF softball player Kelsey Horton a finalist for Senior CLASS Award
Kelsey Horton has long mastered the art of balancing academics and sports, all while staying involved in her community. It was something she did during her time as a two-sport athlete at Durant High School and something she has continued to do through her senior season as an outfielder for the University of Florida softball […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Sammy Tyler
Sammy Tyler has found a home with the Strawberry Crest softball team. The junior transferred to SCHS, after spending two years at Armwood and has become the ace of the Lady Chargers pitching staff. Tyler helped guide her new team to the Class 6A-11 championship last week. She struck out 20 batters in the two […]
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