North girls shut out in 5A semis
PLANT CITY – The end came too soon for the North Fort Myers Red Knights.
It also was too soon after Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Venice in a Class 5A state semifinal for North senior captain Kayla Ramey to sum up the best season in school history, without getting choked up.
Ramey tried to explain the defeat in the simplest of terms, marginalizing the two errors the Knights (27-4) made – one led to Venice’s first run.
“The errors don’t matter because we didn’t score,” she said.
In close games leading up to Thursday’s semifinal, the Knights had delivered in clutch situations time and time again. Their postseason run, which included LCAC, district and regional titles, was defined by outstanding pitching and defense and timely hitting.
The biggest reason for Thursday’s downfall was their inability to come through with runners on base. They had one run taken off the board in the bottom of the first when it was ruled junior Lexi Schlotter left early tagging at third base. The Knights had several chances after that, but stranded eight runners, including five in scoring position.
“We had our opportunities,” North coach Jeff Miner said. “We just could not come up with the big hit we needed. In the regular season we were able to do that.”
Venice senior Stephanie Sullivan (21-3) shook off some early nerves and pitched a complete-game shutout. She struck out seven and seemed to settle in more in the middle innings, retiring eight in a row at one point.
North junior Jackie Owen (23-4) struck out five and also worked all seven innings. Owen and the Red Knights defense limited the Indians in situations where they threatened more runs, but the three runs they did score proved to be enough.
“The game was pretty simple,” Venice coach Larry Sandburg said. “We got some big hits when we needed them and got the stops when we needed them.”
Venice (23-7-1) is playing in the FHSAA Finals for the second consecutive year. They advanced to the championship game, which was to be played Thursday night at Plant City Stadium.
The Red Knights reached the state’s final four for the first time in school history, in addition to being the first Lee County public school softball team to advance that far.
Both teams displayed some early jitters. In the top of the first, Venice leadoff hitter Amber Yonker laid down a bunt. Owen fielded the ball, but made a low throw and first baseman Mariah Fernandez couldn’t hold onto it.
With two outs and Yonker at second, Mel Dembinski grounded an RBI single to left just out of Ramey’s reach at shortstop.
The Knights also threatened in the bottom of the first, but the once-promising inning became a huge letdown. Schlotter and Ramey were hit by pitches and Fernandez walked, loading the bases with no outs. With one out, freshman Katrissa Rowell popped out to shallow right, sending Schlotter home from third. She slid in safely, but Venice ap-pealed at third and the umpire called Schlotter out for leaving early.
“I didn’t feel I left early,” Schlotter said. “I was watching the play and as soon as she made the catch I ran home and scored.”
The Knights had more opportunities after that play. In the second, Allie Kennedy and Jasmine Santiago reached on singles, giving the Knights runners at second and third with one out. They put two on again in the fifth when Ramey slammed a double to left and Fernandez followed with a single. They were unable to cash in on either occasion.
Ramey finished 2-for-3, and was stranded at second base in the third inning after reaching on a single to center and error.
“It was very frustrating. The whole season we were able to come up with hits with runners on base,” Ramey said.
Ramey is one of three senior captains, along with Fernandez and Alyssa Dougherty, who continued her strong play at second base, making a diving play to help the Knights get out of the third inning, trailing only 2-0.
“We’re going to miss our seniors. They were leaders on this team,” Miner said. “Their work ethic, especially, is what our other kids looked up to.”
Venice 101 000 1 – 3 6 1
North FM 000 000 x – 0 5 2
W – Sullivan (21-3). L – Jackie Owen (23-4).
2B – Ott (V), Kayla Ramey (N)