Palmetto softball comes back in semifinal

PHIL SEARS / SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD Miami Palmetto coach Steve Batten hugs Lauren Guzman (5), who hit the game-winning double in the seventh inning, after their Class 6A state girls' softball semifinal game against Mandarin on Friday, May 9, 2008 in Plant City, Fla. The Panthers came from behind to win 5-4 and will play Saturday for the championship. » More Photos

Lauren Guzman jumped up and down at second base, her arms flailing about in celebration.

Seconds earlier, Guzman had laced a double to right-center to score two runs, including the game-winner, to give Miami Palmetto a 5-4 victory over Jacksonville Mandarin in Friday's Class 6A FHSAA state semifinals at Plant City Stadium.

''I just had to relax myself,'' said Guzman, who returned to play in her fourth game after an 18-game layoff because of an injured right shoulder. "I was going crazy in my head. I relaxed. I hit the ball. Then I saw everyone going crazy. I was speechless.''

Palmetto fell behind 2-0 early before it tied the score in the fifth. But Mandarin center fielder Michelle Moultrie blasted a two-run home run over the right field fence in the bottom of the inning.

The first two batters reached base for the Panthers (25-3) in the sixth, but Mandarin freshman pitcher Riley Carter retired the next three batters on pop flies.

Courtney Ray doubled to start the seventh for Palmetto. Cristina Pardinas followed with a single. After a pop out by Kelly Saco, Amanda Marquez reached on an error by shortstop Clara Kendall, which allowed Ray to score.

A sacrifice fly by Tiffany Mullins-Diaz advanced the runners before Guzman laced her shot to right-center.

''We've been here four times,'' Saco said. ``Nothing was going to stop us from getting to that championship game.''

Palmetto thought it scored twice in the first, but the home plate umpire ruled Saco's shot over the left field wall was foul, which drew a questionable reaction. Saco eventually struck out.

Saco's frustration grew in the bottom of the inning. She walked Lindsay Kelly and gave up singles to Moultrie and Carter to load the bases. Saco walked Robin Adams to allow the first run and Moultrie scored on a passed ball.

When asked if she was frustrated by the early happenings, Saco said, ``That goes without saying. I was very frustrated.''

Jackie Houk and Pardinas had RBI singles in the fifth to tie the score for the Panthers. Saco struck out with the bases loaded after she initially drew a 3-0 count. Marquez then flew out to center to end the inning.

''It was a roller coaster,'' Palmetto coach Steve Batten said. ``The fans got their money out of it. . . . It just seemed like there was never a groove in the entire game. It was just a battle for both sides the entire way.''

With one out in the seventh, Kendall singled for the Mustangs (26-3) and reached second when Moultrie drew an intentional walk. Palmetto got Carter to ground out to second to end the game.

Palmetto will play the winner of Friday night's late game between Durant and Palm Beach Gardens on Saturday at 4 p.m. for the Class 6A championship.

Palmetto 000 020 3--5 10 0 Mandarin 200 020 0--4 7 1 WP: Kelly Saco (16-2). LP: Riley Carter (18-3). Records: Palm 25-3, Man 26-3.