Falcons Softball Falls 3-0 to Seminole in District Semi-Final

Seminole High School's Lady Warhawks shut down Dunedin High's Lady Falcons offense in the district semi-final softball matchup Tuesday in Tarpon Springs. Despite a good pitching effort against the Warhawks, Falcons fielding errors cost them a 3-0 loss.

Dunedin senior pitched a good game, only yielding six hits. She struck out four and walked one. Dunedin's Jessica Lennon, senior Amber Pittman, junior third baseman Eryn Nickisher tried desperately to punch some hits through at critical moments with runners in scoring position, but couldn't break down the Seminole defense.

Seminole's sophomore Jennifer Sittloh pitched seven shutout innings, getting critical outs when needed and leaving nine Dunedin runners on base. Sittloh was backed by a clean infield.

Seemingly evenly matched, eventually, a couple of Falcons defensive bloopers gave the Warhawks their opportunity to pounce in the fourth inning.

Sittloh laced a double down the third base line off of Ehlers, then Seminole's senior Tiffany Race crushed one over Falcons senior centerfielder Jessica Lennon’s head. That drove in two runs and that was all The Lady Warhawks needed.

“Their defense made the plays. We got shut down with runners in scoring position, three times,” said Dunedin Head Coach Roy Silver.

Sittloh was glad to get key outs in clutch situations.

“That’s why we practice so much. We do it over and over again and hope it translates when we need it,” said Sittloh.

Seminole's Head Coach Mark Deruzzo commented on the game.

“We didn’t get as many hits as we’re used to, but we got enough in and played good defense," he said. "Ashley (Ehlers) is always tough.”

The Lady Falcons close out their season with a tough loss and will be looking to replace their senior ace pitcher for next year.

Meanwhile, the Lady Warhawks have punched their ticket to regionals and will take on the winner of Tarpon Springs-East Lake district championship matchup on Thursday night.