Mike Ridaught
The Trenton softball team hosts Dixie County on Friday night in an early Class 1A test for both teams.
The visiting Bears from Dixie County, who were 8-0 heading into last night’s game against Union County (Lake Butler), are ranked fourth in the state by Miracle Sports. They have wins against larger schools Suwannee (Live Oak), Columbia (Lake City), and Santa Fe (Alachua).
The host Tigers (5-0), who won the Class 1A state title two years ago, have won 42 games in a row and enter as the No. 1 team in Class 1A.
Yet, despite the accolades, Trenton coach Todd Bryant said this is not the same team as the one they’ve had the last two years.
“We’re trying to figure out who we are right now,” he explained. “Everybody knew their job. Everybody understood their role. And we’ve got kids that are trying to figure out their role and we’re not as experienced as we used to be. Therefore, we’ve got some indecisiveness.”
As long as the Tigers on top, everyone wants to beat them.
“Everywhere we go there’s a target on our back,” Bryant said. “Everybody wants to beat us. They play their best, they pitch their best, they hit their best. They prepare for us a week or two in advance Everybody’s after us. It’s been tough.”
That’s why Dixie County might pose the biggest threat to ending the Tigers’ long run. Dixie County is batting .420 through eight games with a team earned run average of 0.86.
“They’re going to be a real test for us” Bryant said. “My concern is not about them. My concern is about us.”
Bryant said that if Florida Atlantic signee Darian Ingram pitches well and doesn’t walk many, they’ll be in good shape defensively.
Keeli Zingaro, who signed with Stetson University in January, leads the offense after batting .742 last season through 10 games.
“Offensively, if we put the ball in play, we’re going to be Ok,” he added.
First pitch is at 7 p.m. You can watch the game online at www.ThePrepZone.com.