Panthers win state championship

PHIL SEARS / SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD Palm Beach Gardens catcher Brittany Human (with ball) looks back to see Miami Palmetto's Kelly Saco (13) get mobbed by teammates and coach Steve Batten after her game-winning hit in the 12th inning of their Class 6A state girls' softball championship game Saturday, May 10, 2008 in Plant City. The Panthers won 2-1 in 12 innings, the most number of innings ever in an FHSAA fast-pitch championship game. » More Photos

Palmetto pitcher Kelly Saco sent a sharp grounder toward Palm Beach Gardens shortstop Bootsie Roesch.

The senior dropped to field the oncoming ball, but it squirted under her glove. Roesch turned and watched as the ball rolled into the outfield while Courtney Ray rounded third.

Ray raced home with her arms in the air to cap Palmetto's come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Palm Beach Gardens in the 12th inning Saturday afternoon in the Class 6A FHSAA state championship game at Plant City Stadium.

The title was the first for the Panthers' senior class, which reached the FHSAA finals in each of its four seasons.

''We were not going to let this get away from us for the fourth year in a row,'' Saco said. ``It wasn't going to happen.''

Ray, who was 2 for 5, singled in the sixth to break up Brittany Bowles' no-hit bid. She reached on a single to center with two out in the 12th and stole second to put herself in scoring position.

After center fielder Cristi Pardinas walked, Saco sent her grounder to Roesch.

''I saw it bounce, kind of hit the tip of her glove,'' Saco said. 'She was looking for it, and I was like, `I'm standing on first base.' . . . I'm watching Courtney score. The second she scored, that was it.''

Ray, who was told to go on any contact, said: ``I just looked behind and saw the center fielder coming up with it. I just went.''

The game went a championship-game record 12 innings and took nearly three hours to complete. The Gators (28-5) played 10 innings the night before. Both coaches had relief pitchers warming up in case their starters showed fatigue.

''The Palm Beach Gardens coach and I, we looked at each other several times when we passed,'' Palmetto coach Steve Batten said. ``It was almost like we were waiting for one of us to blink. . . .

``Brittany, you know she's going to go as long [as needed]. I wasn't going to pull mine first. It was like we were playing a state championship game of chicken.''

Saco, although not overpowering, was efficient. She allowed seven hits over 12 innings, but walked six and saw four other batters reach on errors.

The Gators stranded 15 runners -- at least one in every inning except the second. Gardens twice had the bases loaded, but Saco worked her way out each time.

In the top of the 12th, Gardens loaded the bases when Courtney Ewing reached on an error, Brittany Human doubled and Laura Mann walked. But Saco got Roesch to hit to her, and she started a double play by throwing home to get the lead runner. Catcher Amanda Marquez then threw out the runner at third. Kelly Hensel popped out to first to end the inning.

''She's a great pitcher,'' Gators coach Randy Jackson said of Saco. ``She's a four-year letterman. We beat her twice in 2005 and 2006. We knew she'd be tough. She's been around. She's experienced. She's a senior. She's everything. That's why they're here. We knew about her. She's effective every time she goes to the mound.''

Palm Beach Gardens took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Ewing reached on an error by shortstop Claire Rocawich and took second when Rocawich's late throw to first was high.

Human followed with a single to center, but Pardinas misplayed the ball to allow Ewing to score.

Palmetto tied the score in the bottom of the seventh when Lauren Guzman reached on an error when Mann dropped a throw from Haley Fleming. Rocawich singled to left, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jackie Houk.

Ray drew a walk on four pitches. Saco fell behind 0-2 in the count. After two balls, Saco fouled off a pitch, drew ball three and fouled off another pitch.

Bowles then missed with an outside pitch to walk Pardinas with the tying run.

Palm Beach Gardens 000 100 000 000--1 7 3 Miami Palmetto 000 000 100 001--2 4 4 WP: Kelly Saco (17-2). LP: Brittany Bowles (17-3). Records: Palm 26-3, PBG 28-5.