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Northeast earns title shot in rout

SEMINOLE -- Whether a game like Thursday's can be duplicated against a north county power is questionable. But Northeast has a chance to find out, and will certainly not lack confidence at the plate.

The Vikings clinched a PCAC title game berth in grand fashion at Osceola, winning 17-0 in six innings. Northeast completed a second consecutive undefeated season in south county play, earning a home date with Palm Harbor U. on April 19 for the conference title.

"It's awesome," Northeast third baseman May Alves said. "We have improved (from last year), and we've come together as a team."

Northeast (15-3, 7-0 PCAC) was not especially impressive Wednesday in a 4-3 win over St. Petersburg but could not have played much better against the Warriors. Vikings ace Crystal Folwell gave up three singles and no walks in a shutout effort, the defense played error-free and the lineup collected 17 hits.

The Vikings scored one run in the first inning and two in the second off Osceola pitcher Briana Lovell, then broke the game open in the fourth with six runs.

Catcher Lynn Footlick, who led the Vikings with five RBIs, collected two with a bases-loaded single. Two batters later, Folwell knocked in a run on a groundout. Tiffany Nelson then followed with a double to the leftfield corner, scoring two more runs, then Michelle Catlin singled to score Nelson and make it 9-0.

For the game, Footlick went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. May Alves was 4-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Nelson also had three hits and three RBIs.

Now, the challenge for Northeast in the PCAC title game will be to hit more seasoned pitching.

"We have to mentally approach Palm Harbor like they're the same team we've been seeing all year," Northeast coach Sheryl Hollen said. "We have to worry about ourselves and do the best we can."

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