- October 31, 2024
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Even though Matanzas lost to Gulf Breeze 2-0 on May 9 in the Region 1-5A softball quarterfinals, the 420-mile trip to the western end of the Panhandle was fruitful in a couple of ways, coach Sabrina Manhart said.
First, the Pirates’ young players got a taste of the playoffs and a reward for a superb year. Matanzas finished the season with a 19-5 record with no seniors and only two players — juniors Leah Stevens and Ashley Sampselle — who had been involved in a regional playoff game before.
Both of those players got on base against Middle Tennessee State signee Leila Ammon.
“They were more seasoned and you could see that,” Manhart said. “I didn’t fear that we weren’t going to be able to hit, but nerves might have had something to do with it. There’s no question (our players) will be back in these same moments next year and they’ll be ready for them. This was a chance for them to grow.”
Also, Manhart said, the Pirates got to witness her relationship with her former high school coach, Brenda Pena, who was in the Gulf Breeze dugout.
Pena had coached Manhart at Woodham High School in Pensacola through Manhart’s junior season in 1997 before becoming the head coach at Pensacola State College. Pena came out of retirement to fill in for Gulf Breeze coach Chelsea McGehee during McGehee’s maternity leave and remained with the team after McGehee returned.
Manhart got a chance to chat with Pena and introduce her players to her former coach.
“It was full circle for me,” Manhart said. “And it was cool for my players to see the lifelong relationships I’ve built, and the lifelong relationship they’ll have with me. You can always call on Coach Pena, and they’ll be able to call on me anytime too. We’re going to be here forever for those girls.”
Manhart said her players traveled well. They broke up the trip with a dynamic stretching session at a rest area, stopped to eat and finally got in some batting and fielding practice in the area before arriving at Gulf Breeze. The game itself became a duel between two of the top pitchers in the state in Ammons and Stevens.
Stevens allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out 12 in seven innings. Ammons gave up two hits and a walk and struck out 13 batters (note: Gulf Breeze credited Ammons with a no-hitter in its scorebook).
“We knew we were going to see a good pitcher,” Manhart said. “We got on base a couple of times. Unfortunately, we didn’t have timely hits. Leah was lights out. She had prepared all season for postseason play. She hit her spots and moved the ball around in the zone well.”
Overall, Manhart said, the Pirates had a lot to be proud about this year.
“A lot of people questioned if we could make it this far, because we had lost so many players and we were so young,” Manhart said. “It took every single one of those young ladies and they bought into our culture and gave it their all. I’m very very excited about the future with this group.”
