With all the winter sports now officially concluded in Hernando County, we move into the spring season of athletics and it brings on baseball and softball. Along with baseball and softball is track and field and spring football. We take a brief look at all the prep softball teams across Hernando County and what to look forward to this upcoming 2020 campaign.
Nature Coast: Nature Coast Technical most certainly had their moments from a year ago, as they were able to play with the top clubs in the area, but then would turnaround and have some head scratching losses. The loss that ultimately ended their season last spring was an 8-3 decision against Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek in the district semifinals. The Sharks do have several returners from last year’s team, so they will be a club to watch out for.
Springstead: The haunting memories of just missing out on winning a district championship and losing 1-0 against Crystal River in a district semifinal is a hurtful one. The Eagles do plan to however rewrite the script on what happened last spring and try to once again reclaim their place at the top of the district. Springstead returns another talented roster of players, headlined by Hannah Rizzuto and Jenna Ryan.
Hernando: It was just a year ago that Hernando was on a magic ride that took them all the way to the state semifinals, before they ended up losing 6-1 to Coral Springs Charter. That loss dropped them just short of reaching the Class 5A state championship game, but now the Leopards have to figure out life after pitcher Ali Shenefield. The stud pitcher is now playing on the collegiate level and the Leopards have to discover who their next big time ace will be.
Central: Wins against Hudson Fivay, Weeki Wachee and New Port Richey Gulf is what the Bears have to show for from a 4-14 season last year. Now Central is once again against all odds to get to the .500 mark in a county loaded with softball talented ball clubs. The Bears made some strides in 2019, but will be held bent to push the likes of Springstead, Hernando and Nature Coast.
Weeki Wachee: If any team had the toughest time trying to notch wins throughout the season in 2019, it was the Hornets. Weeki Wachee’s only wins came against Central and Hudson Fivay. After going 2-22 last season, the only way to go is up for the Hornets in 2020.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
