CHEERLEADING
+ SCHS team will be on TV
Hot off the heels of a national competition, Strawberry Crest fans will be able to catch a replay of the action this weekend.
The Chargers took a fifth-place finish in their division at the National High School Cheerleading Championship, out of a field of 32 other schools. They placed fourth in the first round of competition, then fifth in the final round.
You can watch replays of the competition on both ESPNU and ESPN2. The competition will air on ESPNU at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 22, on ESPNU; and at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19, on ESPN2.
Team members include: Cesar Abadia, Alyssa Archer, Demi Coble, Brooke Conyers, Shauntelle Cruz, Shaquira Cruz, Halee Dixon, Taylor Fales, Georgia Foster, Macy Gay, Brianna Hackett, Kyndall Hallman, Kelsey Howard, Tarra Love, Megan O’Steen, Savannah Reagan, Ayana Richardson, Jordyn Shoemaker, Sergio Valentin, Carmen Watts, Kayla Watts, Jenna Weir and Sarah Wylie.
BASEBALL
+ Raiders cruise with ridiculous O
Plant City was the only team to play a game in the few days following the Saladino Tournament. But, they scored enough runs March 17, to earn all three area teams wins.
The Raiders went to Middleton and came out with a 28-1 win over the Tigers, which they accomplished in five innings. Plant City found itself with a 22-0 lead in the fourth, before Joshua Carter singled to drive Emonte Bentley home, preventing a shutout.
The Raiders’ offense went nuts at the plate. Cody Colding, in particular, sticks out: He went 5-for-6 with four RBI, four runs scored and a triple. Slugger Connor Slagill went 2-for-3 with five runs, two RBI and a dinger. Peyton Collins went 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI, Dalton Wingo went 3-for-5 with four runs, and Cam Knight went 2-for-4 with three runs and two RBI.
“I tried to call off the dogs, but they just kept playing hard,” head coach Mike Fryrear says. “Good sign.”
SOFTBALL
+ Raiders, Cougars pick up wins
The rough weather put a wrench in Strawberry Crest’s travel plans: Steinbrenner’s field was still basically underwater March 18.
Durant and Plant City, however, did get to play ball. They also came away with some good wins.
The Lady Cougars picked up a 5-1 road win over Wharton, thanks to some excellent pitching by freshman Sloan Hammons. Over five innings of work, she only gave up one hit — a double — and one walk. She also struck out 10 of the 17 batters she faced. Bayli Johns finished the final two innings, allowing one hit and one earned run.
It was also a good day for senior Brooke Freeman, who went 3-for-5 with three RBI, two doubles and one run.
The Lady Raiders, like their baseball counterparts, also mercy ruled Middleton on the road. This one came in the form of a 15-0 win, powered mostly by the young guns.
Freshman Edmilly Molina finished 2-for-2, with three RBI and one run scored; sophomore Alexis Williams went 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run; and sophomore Rebecca Sorenson went 3-for-4 with three runs. Senior Emily Register also played well, going 2-for-4 with three runs and one RBI.