PHUH Softball Standouts

When a team has won three state titles, a national championship and has gone to the regional 13 of the last 14 years, recognition comes with the territory, and this year’s St. Petersburg Times all-Pinellas County softball team announcement further fanned that flame.

Palm Harbor University Hurricanes placed eight players on the squad and all were worthy of selection according to Hurricanes’ coach Chuck Poetter.

Two players, both juniors, made the first team; pitcher Taylor Sabol and outfielder Megan Copeland. "Of Taylor’s five loses four were to number-one state ranked teams and the fifth was in the regional semi finals," Coach Poetter said. "Megan has for two years led the county and maybe the state in on base percentage. She has become possibly the best lead-off hitter in the county."

Three Hurricane players were named to the second team: sophomore infielder Samantha McCloskey, junior outfielder Moriah Connolly and sophomore catcher Claire Hamilton. "Samantha stepped in and played several position when injuries hit us," the coach shared. "Moriah moved from her regular infielder position to become a force in the outfield and Claire was our leader on the field, calling every pitch and setting every defensive play we had this year."

Rounding out the squad with honorable mention status were Dani Darby, Vanessa Fernandez and Chrissy Taboluv.

According to Poetter, one player not on the list but equally worthy of the spotlight was Lindsay Fenlon, a three-year started who was stricken with illness. "Lindsay was able to come back and contribute in ways only coaches and players understand," he shared.

And he expects more of the same next year. "We had no seniors and the future is very bright for us with talent and depth at every position," he concluded.