PHCC ends losing ways vs. Titans

NEW PORT RICHEY -- The Pasco-Hernando Community College baseball team continues to struggle, but coach Steve Winterling can take solace with a second milestone in as many weeks.

A week after their first shutout of the season -- 4-0 over South Florida CC on April 6 -- the Conquistadors (16-28-1) beat St. Petersburg College 6-4.

The victory snapped an 11-game losing streak against the defending Suncoast Conference champion. PHCC's previous win against St. Petersburg College was 5-3 on April 19, 2000.

"That was a big win," Winterling said. "We've lost a lot of close games, and they've killed us a few times. You figure you've got to win at some point."

Bobby Sindelar, who earned the shutout over South Florida, was on the mound for Saturday's victory against St. Petersburg. The left-hander from Springstead improved his record to 5-4 by scattering 9 hits and 4 runs. He logged 5 strikeouts and 2 walks in 71/3 innings.

Dave Hancox (Ridgewood) earned his fourth save.

Batting leadoff for the third straight game, Danny Wardell (Zephyrhills) doubled twice and had two RBIs. His two-run double in the sixth inning broke a 4-4 tie.

"Danny's been swinging the bat well," Winterling said. "That's what we were looking for earlier."

Wardell is hitting .279 and is second on the team with 27 RBIs after a slow start. In the past 10 games, Wardell is batting .390 and has 6 doubles, 1 home run and 12 RBIs.

BACK ON TOP: Apparently, second-place in the Sunshine State Conference did not sit well with Saint Leo's softball squad.

The Lions (34-12, 14-6) lost an April 6 doubleheader to Barry, but have won five of six conference games to retake the lead from the Buccaneers (28-12, 13-7).

"We're firm believers in hard work," Saint Leo coach Christi Wade said. "We've just got a great group of kids who refuse to die."

Saint Leo sandwiched a split with Rollins (a 2-0 win and 2-1 loss) between sweeps of Florida Southern (3-2 and 3-1) and Florida Tech (5-3 and 6-3).

Freshman Heather Gamlin (23-9) pitched every game but could have some help soon.

Lacey Hardesty (10-3), out with back and hip injuries since March 16, might return by the end of this week, Wade said.

In the meantime, the coach said, Gamlin is "our starter, our closer, our savior."

In the past six games, Denyve Duncan has hit .409 and Jen Shirley .368.

LIONS FALL TO FIFTH IN SSC: Saint Leo's baseball team (27-18) lost two of three to Lynn over the weekend, dropping to 8-7 and fifth in the conference.

The Lions' lone win against Lynn was 10-2 in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Saint Leo, which lost 1-0 on Friday, dropped Saturday's second game 4-2.

Trevor Hall led the Lions in their victory by going 4-for-5 with four RBIs. The senior third baseman, who hit two doubles and a home run, became the school's all-time leader in doubles and homers.

Hall has 61 doubles, surpassing Matt Gifford's mark of 59 set in 1998. His 31 home runs broke Phil Ross' record of 30 in 1985.

GOLFERS ARE 14TH: Saint Leo placed 14th overall and fifth among seven SSC squads in the Southeastern Collegiate Tournament, April 8-9 at Valdosta.

Saint Leo's Nick Rich finished 13th at 73-71-75-219.

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