Canterbury Softball Uses Newfound Hitting to Win Sixth Straight District Title

ST. PETERSBURG - Canterbury softball coach Jody Moore is proud of her softball program. She likes to boast how her team won five consecutive district titles.

But no more. Make that six.

Thursday night, Canterbury held Academy at the Lakes to four hits in a 6-0 shutout, capturing the Class 1A-9 district title. As a result, Canterbury will host a Class 1A region quarterfinal Tuesday night to begin postseason play.

Oh, and three more wins and the Crusaders will make it to the state softball tournament for the fourth consecutive season.

Moore frowned when asked if it has gotten to the point that she expects district titles.

"No, every game we come ready, we work hard for it and prepare for it," Moore said of the streak of six district crowns. "I don't ever want to use the word 'expect,' but we prepare for it."

One way to prepare for the title was surviving an ordeal. Earlier this month, the Crusaders won a marathon contest by beating St. Petersburg 1-0 in 15 innings, the longest game in school history. But it was a game that frustrates Moore in that her team stranded 16 runners.

That frustration may have led to the district crown Thursday.

"We've been practicing scoring runs ever since that St. Pete game," Moore said. "Now we have a drill in practice if a runner can't score in three outs, she runs laps."

There weren't many laps run as a result of Thursday's game. Four runs in the first inning was all the Crusaders needed.

Krissy Longstreet got the win. She started on the mound before moving to catcher in the fourth inning. She also had a double and a home run.  A four-year starter, Longstreet has known nothing but district titles while playing for Canterbury.

"I felt good about [the district championship]," Longstreet said. "We've been working a lot on hitting. We have always been a big defensive team. We have been working out in the cage every day, and I think it has made a difference."