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Lady Jackets Four-Peat - Bartow Wins Fourth Consecutive State Softball Title, Sixth Overall
By Mark King
Four years ago.
After the Bartow High School Lady Jackets won the 2002 FHSAA State Softball Championship game, Lindsay Littlejohn, then a talented freshman pitcher, made a brash statement to the local media.
IN FRONT OF THEIR PRIZE, the state champion Lady Jackets lined up for the fourth year in a row, eager to put on a gold medal and hoist the championship trophy. - (Staff photo by Rustin Dwyer)
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Littlejohn said her goal was to not only pitch in four straight state softball championships, as had Melissa Parsons previously for BHS, but to win all four years.
The local reaction?
"It has never been done!"
"It couldn't happen!"
"There are so many obstacles to even reaching the Final Four!"
Littlejohn's response?
"Never say never. Nothing is impossible. Obstacles are made to be overcome."
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the winners of their fourth straight FHSAA Class 4A State Championship Title: Your 2005 Bartow High School Lady Jackets!
With the win, the final season record for BHS stands at 30-2.
While Littlejohn has been a major factor in each and every state game, make no doubt about it, each one has been a team victory.
This year was no different, as the Bugs entered the season with a batting line-up that lacked a bit of the power of the previous season. But with the defensive unit, The Great Wall of Bartow, in the field, there was virtually no one to stop them.
Asterisks can be placed on the two losses suffered this season, as both times, several key players were absent from their normal positions. So essentially, when everybody was healthy, the Bugs were undefeated this season.
This year, as in the four years past, the Final Four tournament was played inexplicably at the "lovely" Ed Radice Sports Complex in Tampa. As an editorial aside, they need to rename the place, the Ed Radice and the Clueless Crew Complex.
In the FHSAA State Championship semifinal played on Thursday at high noon against the Cocoa High School Wildcats, Littlejohn walked the first batter she faced. That should have been a clue to someone, right there.
GOING OUT ON TOP, senior pitcher Lindsay Littlejohn went the distance in the Lady Jackets' two final-four wins. Littlejohn had a no-hitter on Thursday against Cocoa before shutting out Pembroke Pines in the state final for the second year in a row. Against Cocoa on Thursday, Littlejohn hit a two run home run, the first of her high school career. - (Staff photos by Rustin Dwyer)
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Littlejohn quickly made up for it by striking out the next three batters, but when she returned to her dugout she complained to the coaches that the pitching rubber was too far back.
In the next inning the officials checked and Oops! What do you know? It WAS too far back . . . by a mere six feet!
Upon further review, the third and second bases also were misaligned . . . on two separate fields. This from a complex that has hosted the premier FHSAA softball event for the past four years.
Later, when phoned for any game comments he might want to make after the semifinal game, the first words out of the mouth of head coach Glenn Rutenbar were, "What did they say on the radio about the field situation?"
Thirty minutes later, the action resumed and Littlejohn was nearly flawless, striking out 17 batters in the ball game, and walking just one in another no-hitter for the Throwin' Bartowan as BHS cruised to a 5-0 pasting of the Cocoa Wildcats.
Littlejohn also helped herself in grand fashion at the plate, crushing her first career home run as a Lady Jacket, a two-run shot over the centerfield fence.
Later, she added another RBI to her total as she just missed another homer with a double bagger off the fence.
Jerrica Sanchez, left fielder and back-up pitcher, was three for three at the plate, including a double and an RBI. Other Bug base hitters were Kara Rutenbar, Elizabeth Howell, Mallory Butler, Rachael Jackson and Whitney Little.
In the state championship game played Friday night, Littlejohn relied more on her defensive teammates to nail down a 2-0 shut-out against the Pembroke Pines Charter Jaguars. Littlejohn fanned five Jags at the plate, walked two and allowed two hits.
On offense for Bartow, Littlejohn hit another RBI double and Elizabeth Howell also racked an RBI with a single. Britta Giddens and Staci Fernandez also had base hits for the Bugs.
Howell was robbed of a home run in the game when Pembroke's Hailey Frost reached over the fence to haul in a long bomb off the Bugs' bat.
On defense, Howell stood out for her play at third, while right fielder Kara Rutenbar did a great job reeling in two line drives to right.
Jenna Allen, senior catcher for the Yellow Jackets, nailed PPC's speedster, Shayla Jackson, twice as she tried to steal second base. Rutenbar beams when he talks about Allen.
"Jenna did an awesome job for us behind the plate. She is a true success story. She started out playing her first two years on JV, then came in to pinch run for us last year. This year, after we lost our catcher, Jessica Sanchez, to graduation, Jenna stepped in and did an outstanding job committing zero errors," explained Rutenbar.
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Graduation Schedule May Affect Lady Jackets' State Championship March
By Mark King
Assistant Bartow High School softball coach Brent Orr had only one question.
"Do you know anybody with a helicopter?"
It seems his son's graduation will fall on the same day the Bugs hope to be playing in the state softball championships at Ed Radice Sports Complex in Tampa.
Orr was left to ponder this dilemma when the BHS Lady Jackets defeated the Auburndale Lady Bloodhounds 3-0 in the Class 4A Region 3 Championship game Friday night before an overflow crowd at Lady Jacket Stadium, also known as One Bug Place. With the win, Bartow increased its record to 28-2 for the season.
More importantly, it sends the Bartow team to its 13th Final Four appearance, including the last nine in a row.
Underdogs coming into Friday's game, the Hounds entered the stadium with an air of confidence. You could almost see the word "UPSET" written on their collective foreheads in blue spray paint.
Indeed, they did leave the stadium upset.
But this pack of Puppies was anything but a pushover. They worked Bartow's defense with long at-bats, nipping out three base hits off the Bug starter, Lindsay Littlejohn. Amanda Farmer, the Dawg catcher, had two of the hits.
"They've hit us before," said Coach Glenn Rutenbar. "Give them credit. They're a tough team."
Littlejohn, soon to be a Florida Gator, struck out seven batters and walked one, as she increased her record to 19-1 this season. But the scintillating senior had to rely on her defense, the Great Wall of Bartow, to seal this game.
First baseman Rachael Jackson was kept especially busy on this Championship night, as she had five unassisted outs in the game. Her biggest play came in the top of the fourth inning, when the Hounds' hurler, Kristin LeFan, lined a shot off her bat down the first base line. Jackson showed quick reflexes as she lunged to her left to pick off the liner and rob LeFan of a probable extra-bases hit.
On offense, the Jackets were as aggressive as usual on the bases. In the bottom of the first inning, "Itty Bitty" Britta Giddens smashed a two bagger to left field.
Whitney Little stepped up to the plate with every intention of hitting Giddens in for the score, but she never got the chance. Giddens took off on the first pitch to Little attempting to steal third.
Behind the plate, Farmer saw Giddens break, and threw the ball to third base. Someone, however, forgot to notify the third baseman, as she had no idea that the ball was coming her way.
As Giddens slid into third, the ball rolled into the grass behind the bag. The Itty Bitty one popped up and took off for home at the urging of head coach Rutenbar and easily crossed to the plate to rack the first run for Bartow.
In the bottom of the second inning, with one out, Kara Rutenbar drew a walk. Then Mallory Butler nailed a base hit to put runners at first and second.
After the next batter, Rachael Jackson, loaded the bases with another Bug base hit, Jerrica Sanchez launched a two-run single of her own.
That completed the scoring for the Ladies, but the batters kept cranking out long drives that the Auburndale defense turned aside. However, down 3-0 against the Lady Bug defense, the Pups' offense was in the doghouse.
Next up for the BHS Lady Jackets is the State semifinal game Thursday at Ed Radice Sports Complex in Tampa. There they will take on the hot Cocoa team (23-4), who defeated Bishop Kenney High School 2-0 at noon.
Hmmm. It seems that the Lady Jackets' seniors are all scheduled for graduation that same Thursday night at 8 p.m.
Anybody know someone with a helicopter?
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Hounds, Lady Jackets Set for Another Rematch in Regional Final
By Mark King
"They're a good team," Bartow High School's softball head coach was quoted as saying a few weeks earlier. "I wouldn't be surprised if we see them (the Auburndale Bloodhounds) again."
Prophecy, it seems, is just one of the services Glenn Rutenbar offers.
Auburndale did its part in fulfilling that prophesy earlier Tuesday night when they defeated New Port Richey Gulf High School 1-0 in their regional semifinal game. That assured the Hounds a place in the Class 4A Region 3 Championship Game on Friday.
The only question for the Bow-Wows was: Where would the Friday night game be played?
Welcome back to The Hive, Hound Dogs!
SPEEDSTER WHITNEY LITTLE was more than halfway to the bag before the South Lake defense knew what hit them. Little got on base twice for the Jackets on Tuesday and scored the winning run in the 2-0 victory in the regional semi-finals. For her efforts, Little was named the Shady Oak Cafe "Player of the Game." - (Staff photo by Rustin Dwyer)
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The BHS Lady Jackets played host to the Lady Eagles of Groveland South Lake High School on Tuesday evening and eked out a 2-0 victory to increase their record to 27-2 and set up another re-match with Auburndale.
Tuesday was a so-so night for the Bug bats, but another outstanding performance from the "Throwin' Bartowan," Lindsay Littlejohn, proved to be too much for the eager Eagles.
The ever-impressive Littlejohn fanned 14 Fowl ballers, walked one and gave up just one hit in seven innings in the circle. With the win, Littlejohn improved her senior year record to 18-1.
Bartow scored its first run in the bottom of the third inning when Whitney Little led off with a double to shallow left field. Most people would have managed a single on the hit, but not "Laser" Little. Before the ball took its second bounce on the grass, the speedster was coasting into second base.
A perfect sacrifice bunt by Staci Fernandez sent Little to third base. Then "Miss Ellie," Elizabeth Howell, ripped a single to rack the first run for the Bugs.
The score remained an uneasy 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Ladies got an insurance run.
Littlejohn led off with a single and was replaced at first base with Brianna Leverett, who came in as a courtesy runner. Leverett stole second base, then was sacrificed to third by Kara Rutenbar.
The next batter, designated player Mallory Butler, fooled the Fowls with a push bunt that went between the pitcher and first baseman. The pitcher stopped the ball sliding on her knees, but was unable to get either Butler at first or Leverett as she slid into home.
Coach Rutenbar was thankful for the win, if a little dubious about the batting.
"You get two lead-off doubles, you can't ask for much more than that, but we didn't get as many runs as we'd like off of them. And, of course, you can't ask for better pitching.
"We'll need to hit the ball better Friday," said Coach.
So now it has come to this - once again the road to the Final Four goes straight through Polk County.
Two teams. Bartow. Auburndale.
One goal.
One Bug Place, Friday night, 7:30 p.m.
You've gotta love this game.
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Bartow 'Bug Beaters' Become 'Bug Bombed' in District Softball Final
By Mark King
With high expectations of becoming two time Bug Beaters this season, the Auburndale Lady Bloodhounds came into The Hive at One Bug Place on the campus of Bartow High School on Friday night for the 4A District 12 softball championship game against the Lady Yellow Jackets.
But the would-be Bug Beaters instead were "Bug Bombed" as the Lady Jackets cruised to a 9-0, near-perfect pounding of the Pups. The Jackets used their patented aggressive base-running style, coupled with a line-up of highly focused batters, to avenge an earlier loss to this same pack of Hounds.
Add to that offensive package a stellar defensive performance by three-time player of the year Lindsay Littlejohn in the pitcher's circle and you could almost see the word "Doomed" tattooed on the brows of the Hound players. Littlejohn fanned nine batters, allowed one late inning hit, and walked none as she overpowered the Pups at the plate.
Sporting the highest batting average in the county (.569), Auburndale's Janine Richardson was completely shut out, going 0 for 3. Littlejohn fanned the always dangerous Richardson twice and relied on the bazooka arm of "Itty-Bitty" Britta Giddens at short stop for another out.
It was in the top of the fourth inning when Richardson actually was able to catch up to a Littlejohn pitch. She banged the ball on a slow hopper to Giddens at shortstop. The diminutive dynamo scooped up the ball and fired a rope to Rachael Jackson at first to nail the speedy Richardson by half a step.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Bugs took advantage of a Bloodhound boo-boo to take the early lead.
It happened in the first inning, when Staci Fernandez drew a walk. Elizabeth Howell popped up to the third baseman for the Hounds, who dropped the ball. Fernandez wound up on third base as Howell baited the Bow-Wows into trying to throw her out at second base.
Auburndale took the bait and threw to second at which time Fernandez broke for home plate and scored.
Bartow added another run in the bottom of the second, when "The Big One," Kara Rutenbar, led off with a crusher in the left-center gap. A perfect sacrifice bunt by Mallory Butler allowed Rutenbar to scurry over to third base.
Following another BHS out, Jerrica Sanchez belted a single to score Rutey from third.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bug batters swarmed all over the beleaguered Barkers. Littlejohn led off the offensive onslaught with a base hit. Brianna Leverette came in to run for Littlejohn at first base and promptly stole second.
After recording two outs, BHS sent Rachael Jackson to the plate where she ripped a single to score Leverette. The pump was primed, and the well of hits from Bartow batters seemed never-ending as the next six Bugs blasted the ball, including a mammoth triple by Elizabeth Howell and a Giddens double.
The Buzzers added another run in the bottom of the fifth when Rutenbar racked her second double of the evening. Butler then cranked out a single to score Rutey for the final nail in the Curs' coffin.
Coach Glenn Rutenbar could not have been happier with the effort put forth by his team.
"They played great," he said wearing a big grin. "When we're batting like that from one through nine, plus our subs . . . We're going to be hard to beat.
"Hopefully, we can take that into the next level," continued Rutenbar. "They (Auburndale) are a good team. It wouldn't surprise me if we meet them again (in the Regionals)."
Those games are just around the corner. The first Region 3 game will see the Bartow Lady Jackets take on Fighting Hawks of Armwood High School of Seffner at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Bartow.
Come early and enjoy your favorite ballpark cuisine at the Café de Concession and watch the warm-ups.
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Lady Jackets Close Season With Wins, Rutenbar Honored for Reaching 500
By Mark King
Going into the top of the fifth inning of last Thursday night's softball game played at Lake Region between the Bartow High School Lady Jackets and the Thunder of Lake Region High School, one stat served as a reminder of games from the past between the two in-county rivals - each team had 10 of something.
But this isn't the past, this is now. Bartow's 10 were 10 hits. The Thunder offense had 10 strike-outs.
How times have changed. In the past, it was the Thunder who seemed to be able to snatch the victories away from the Yellow Jackets with strong batting and stronger pitching.
The tide has turned, and it has become a sea of orange, blue and white.
In the first inning alone, the Bugs pounded out six runs on four hits and two Lake Region errors. For the evening, the Ladies hammered 13 runs, with Staci Fernandez hitting a perfect three-for-three and Mallory Butler going two-for-two.
Other Buzzer batters were: Elizabeth Howell (three hits, including a double bagger), Whitney Little (two hits), Jenna Allen (two hits), and Jerrica Sanchez (one hit).
Sanchez, the winning pitcher, was outstanding from the circle. The senior sizzler fanned 11 batters in just five innings of work, including the six of the first seven batters she faced as she led her team to a 9-0 shut-out.
Candace Howell, recently brought up from the JV team, where she was a dominating pitcher, came into the game in the sixth inning to close out the victory. Howell threw two K's of her own, while fielding her position with the finesse of a seasoned varsity player. Her future looks bright.
Friday night, the Lady Eagles of George Jenkins High School flew into The Hive for the final game of the regular season. They left the park with their wings clipped, as the Bugs emerged victorious with a 3-0 decision.
Lindsay Littlejohn was the Bugs' Eagle killer in this contest, throwing 12 strike-outs. Littlejohn mixed her devastating change-up in with her trademark fastball to keep the Birdies' batters off balance.
The game featured the return of Itty-Bitty Britta Giddens, who sustained a cut on the knee from a malicious mirror at her domicile. The incident didn't seem to adversely affect Giddens, as she smacked two hits for the home team.
Staci Fernandez also had two hits, while Mallory Butler, Elizabeth Howell and Littlejohn all had base hits. (Howell, the third baseman for the Jackets, recently hit a home run over the fence in a game with Miami Pace High School. It is the only home run recorded so far this year for the team. This fact was not mentioned in an earlier story on the team's Miami road trip.)
Friday's game was Senior Night for the five seniors on the team: Jenna Allen, Britta Giddens, Staci Fernandez, Lindsay Littlejohn and Jerrica Sanchez. They have performed beyond most people's dreams, bringing state championships to their school during their careers here. They will all be missed.
Also honored on this evening was Coach Glenn Rutenbar, for winning his 500th game earlier this season. Rutenbar is one of only two coaches in the state to reach such lofty status. During his career, Rutenbar has led the Bugs to unthinkable heights, joining the ranks of the top teams in the nation, including one national championship as determined by USA Today. On this night, the fans, coaches, BHS administration and, most of all, his student-athletes got a chance to say "thank you" for a job well done.
One student-athlete was recognized for her exceptional career. Jenna Allen has worked her way up from the junior varsity team to a starting position on varsity over her four years with the program. She has worked hard and maintained a great attitude throughout it all. For her efforts, Rutenbar and Betty Rehberg awarded Allen with the first Allman Vieth scholarship, in honor of Rehberg's uncle. Vieth was a devoted fan of Lady Jacket softball who passed away unexpectedly last year.
So now it's time for the real season to begin, with the District Championship coming to The Hive this week. The action starts Tuesday when the Winter Haven Blue Devils meet the Red Devils of Kathleen at 5:30 p.m.
Then at 7:30, it will be the Lake Wales Highlanders taking on the Storm of Celebration. The winner of that game will battle the Auburndale Bloodhounds on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. while the Lady Jackets face the winners of the Duel of the Devils at 7:30.
The district championship game will be played Friday night at either 7 or 7:30.
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Lady Jackets Relish Wins At End Of Season
By Mark King
It's been a busy month of on-the-road games for the Bartow Lady Jackets, but the regular season is winding down.
Wednesday night, the team defeated the Merritt Island team 7 to 3, bringing their season record to 20 - 2.
Candace Howell started the game, but gave way to Lindsay Littlejohn in the third to record the win, her 13th of the season. Howell re-entered the game in the seventh to close out the contest.
Whitney Little and Mallory Butler led the Bugs, batting with three hits each. They were closely followed by Elizabeth Howell and Kara Rutenbar with a pair of hits apiece.
Head coach Glenn Rutenbar was eager to give his team credit.
"You know, we lost to Auburndale, but then we went to Miami, where the team played three top level teams," he said. "We could've folded, but we go down there and eight of our nine starters got three to five hits each, so that was good."
For the three game stretch, Kara Rutenbar and Staci Fernandez had five hits apiece, while Little and Rachael Jackson recorded four each.
Next was Butler, Elizabeth Howell, Littlejohn and Jerrica Sanchez with three hits.
On the longest road trip of the year, the Bugs defeated their foe from last year's state championship game, Pembrooke Pines Charter 7 to 0, with Jerrica Sanchez in the pitcher's circle.
Then, with Lindsay Littlejohn pitching, the Jackets out-paced Miami-Pace 11 to 1.
Finally, Sanchez won another outing, this time against Miami Gulliver Prep 3 to 0.
Tonight, the bus ride won't seem nearly as long, as the Ladies travel to Eagle Lake to take on the Lady Thunder of Lake Region High School.
The game time is 7:30.
On Friday, it will be the last softball game of the regular season, and it will be played at The Hive.
The Senior Night festivities will start early and the game time will be 7:30, as the Lady Jackets honor their seniors in a game against the George Jenkins Lady Eagles.
District play will begin next week at the Bartow softball complex. At 5:30, it will be a duel of the devils when the Winter Haven Blue Devils battle the Red Devils of Kathleen.
Then at 7:30, Lake Wales faces off against Celebration.
On Thursday, the winner of the Lake Wales and Celebration game will play the Auburndale Bloodhounds at 5:30, while the Lady Jackets will tangle with the winner of the Winter Haven and Kathleen contest.
That will set the stage for the District Championship game on Friday night at 7 p.m.
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Lady Jackets Perfect In Trip to South Florida
By Jenna Allen, BHS Sports Correspondent
The Bartow High School varsity softball team took a trip down to Miami April 14 to 16 to play Pines Charter, Miami Pace and Gulliver Prep.
The Jackets weekend record was 3-0. Jerrica Sanchez was the winning pitcher for two games and Lindsay Littlejohn was the winning pitcher for one.
The first game was against Pines Charter on Friday. The Jackets won by a score of 7-0. The leading hitter was Staci Fernandez with three hits. Other leading hitters were Jerrica Sanchez, Kara Rutenbar and Rachael Jackson with two hits each. Sanchez was the winning pitcher. Sanchez gave up five hits while striking out two.
The first game on Saturday Bartow played against Miami Pace. The Jackets' run ruled them 11-1. Leading hitters were Fernandez, Jackson and Whitney Little with two hits each. The winning pitcher was Littlejohn, who gave up only two hits while striking out seven.
Bartow played Gulliver Prep the second game on Saturday. The Lady Jackets won 3-0. Leading hitters were Rutenbar and Elizabeth Howell with two hits each. Howell had a home run in the game. Sanchez was once again the winning pitcher. She gave up two hits while striking out eight.
The Jackets closed out their final three games of the season with victories and on April 22 said goodbye to the five seniors on the squad - Lindsay Littlejohn, Britta Giddens, Staci Fernandez, Jerrica Sanchez and Jenna Allen.
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Baby Bugs Fill In For Klassic Final While Varsity Team Parties At Prom
By Mark King
Due to time constraints on your volunteer softball columnist, a group of young outstanding ballplayers has been overlooked this season.
Until now.
The junior varsity softball team stepped up to the plate when Head Coach Glenn Rutenbar needed athletes to play in the championship game of the Blue Division of the Kissimmee Klassic this past Saturday.
Varsity players had made arrangements to attend Prom night for Bartow High, and that conflicted with the final game of the Klassic. With only Jenna Allen and Courtney Latham from the varsity team left, BHS would have had to forfeit.
But Rutenbar knew this situation could occur and called up some Baby Bugs to fill the line-up.
They made him proud.
Bartow's opponent in the championship game, Tampa Chamberlain High School, knew the situation going in. What they couldn't have expected was the competition they got.
But they should have known. This wasn't just any JV squad. This was the Bartow JV team, with more talent than many varsity teams could match.
Although Goliath won this round 5-1, the Davids form Bartow earned a lot of respect and gained a lot of great experience.
"Oh, this is going to help us out down the road," Rutenbar said. "And the girls had fun. I had fun. It was a fun game."
"Our girls were not intimidated at all," said Assistant Coach Bob Fitzgerald. "The coaches were just tickled with the way the players reacted to a tough situation."
While Chamberlain threw their number one pitcher, Heather VanLandingham, against Bartow, the Bugs' hurler was JV standout Candace Howell, who matched her counterpart almost point for point in the stats.
Howell fanned eight batters, walked four and allowed eight hits, most of which came in the latter part of the game. Meanwhile, the Chamberlain pitcher struck out eight batters, walked three and gave up three hits.
The rest of the defense played well, too.
"Stephanie Phister made some outstanding plays in right field including one that she had to range over to snag," Fitzgerald said. "And Lindsey Lonsfoote at second base made three of four great plays."
But the one warrior both Fitzgerald and Rutenbar couldn't say enough about was center fielder Diana Thompson. Thompson and Phister collided making a play on a pop fly from a Chamberlain batter.
Phister came away uninjured, but Thompson was in pain with a banged up knee. Even though she could barely stand, Thompson was tough and stayed in the game, since Bartow had no subs in the line-up.
"Several of the base hits Chamberlain got were directly attributed to Diana's injury," Fitzgerald explained proudly. "She couldn't move out there at all. When the balls were hit there, Stephanie had to chase them down, but Diana stayed in.
The varsity squad played the first three games of the Klassic, with American Heritage being their first opponent. The Bugs won this game with a shut-out, 3-0.
"The team hit and fielded well," Fitzgerald said. "It was a good, solid effort."
Kara Rutenbar and Staci Fernandez both had two hits in the game, with "Little Rutey" slamming a double. Britta Giddens blasted a triple. Lindsay Littlejohn was the winning pitcher with eight strike-outs, one walk and two hits allowed.
On Friday, the Bugs got into a late tussle with Miami Palmetto High School. The game was scheduled for 9:30 p.m., but didn't get started until 11:20 p.m.
Palmetto gave the Lady Jackets all they could handle, for a 1-0 Bartow victory.
"It was an awesome game," Fitzgerald explained. "We were just glad to score that one run. Nobody wanted to go to extra innings."
For the game, Bartow had four hits and one error. Littlejohn was the winning pitcher, fanning seven batters and giving up one hit.
Bartow's team exodus began in the fifth inning of the next game, played on Saturday against Gulliver Prep. That's when four seniors departed early for the Prom.
But BHS won 3-1, getting seven hits and committing three errors. The big Bug batters were Fernandez and Whitney Little, who both had two hits, while Elizabeth Howell and Giddens both had a triple.
Littlejohn worked five innings and earned the win, while Little closed out the victory.
After the Klassic, Bartow's record stands at 14-1 for the season.
This week the Bug Bus will get a workout. On Tuesday, the team travels to Celebration for a 7 p.m. game. On Thursday, the Auburndale Bloodhounds host the Lady Jackets in a 7:30 p.m. contest. Then on Friday, it's a trip to Naples for a 7:30 p.m. match-up.
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Lady Jackets Remain Unbeaten as They Enter Into Kissimmee Klassic
By Mark King
Wednesday night wasn't a good night to be a Lady Bloodhound from Auburndale High School.
First, they were misidentified as "Bulldogs" by the Bartow press box announcer, then they had to go up against the Lady Jackets' softball team, recently ranked number three in the nation.
Riding on the strength of Lindsay Littlejohn's arm and a bunch of Bug batters, the Lady Jackets defeated Auburndale 6-0. The win improves the team's record to 11-0 as they head into the latter part of the season.
Littlejohn got the win for Bartow with her blazing fastball and a devastating change-up that leaves opponents thinking, "Now, that ain't right!" In six innings of work in the circle, Littlejohn threw six strike-outs, walked none and gave up five hits.
Jerrica Sanchez, who played most of the evening in left field where she made two outstanding defensive plays, came into the circle in the seventh to close out the game for the Buzzers. She fanned one batter, walked one and allowed no hits.
If you were hungry for offense, it was a good night at the plate for Bartow with two batters going three-for-three. Staci Fernandez and Mallory Butler recorded perfect plate performances, with Fernandez racking two RBIs and Butler one.
Itty-Bitty Britta Giddens had the big hit of the evening, a booming double that flew over the head of the Hound left fielder in the top of the first. Kara Rutenbar went two-for-three, while Whitney Little and Littlejohn both had base hits.
Now the Bugs start a long stand of away games, starting with the Kissimmee Klassic tonight. The games, which feature the top high school teams in the state, continue through Saturday.
Depending on the way things go for the Bartow team, they may meet their most fearsome enemy of the season in the final game of the Klassic. One that can spell certain doom for the team's lofty aspirations - Prom night.
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Lady Jackets Pound Blue Devils 14-4
By Britta Giddens, BHS Sports Correspondent
The Bartow High School varsity softball team defeated the Winter Haven Blue Devils on Tuesday 14-4 in a five inning game.
Winning pitcher for the Yellow Jackets was Jerrica Sanchez with relief help in the fourth inning from Whitney Little.
Sanchez pitched three impressive innings giving up no hits with five strike outs. Little came in at the top of the fourth giving up four runs with a grand slam homerun hit by LaDaesha Stoudemire.
The Lady Jackets, however, had an outstanding offensive game. Leading hitters were Britta Giddens and Whitney Little with three hits each, Lindsay Littlejohn, Staci Fernandez, and Kara Rutenbar with two hits, and Ally Connally, Briana Leverett, and Jerrica Sanchez each added one hit a piece.
"I think our hitting was great and I think we are ready for the Kissimmee Klassic this weekend," said senior Jenna Allen.
The girls played at home on Wednesday before packing their bags to take part in the Kissimmee Klassic.
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Mother Nature Rains Out Most of Lady Jackets' Week
By Mark King
Mother Nature ruled the roost at The Hive last week. The Bartow High School Lady Jackets' softball team only got one game out of three due to the inclement atmospheric conditions.
On Monday the Bugs greeted the Highlanders of Lake Wales to One Bug Place as the two rival teams met for the first of two games on consecutive nights. This game was a rescheduled one from a previous wash-out, and the Lady Jackets took LW to the cleaners with a 5-0 shut-out.
Lindsay Littlejohn was the pitcher for BHS in this contest, and the super senior sizzled from the circle, fanning 14 bagpipers while allowing only two hits.
The Buzzer batters were much more effective at the plate, pounding out six hits with Courtney Latham leading the pack with a two-for-two performance. Other hitters included: Mallory Butler, Staci Fernandez (two RBIs), Littlejohn, and Kara Rutenbar.
Although she didn't get any base hits, Rachael Jackson recorded two RBIs for the Bugs.
Two other games for the week were either abbreviated or eliminated due to Ma Nature's rather soggy outlook on all things sports in Polk County. On Tuesday, the ladies' trip to Lake Wales was called in the top of the fifth inning when the wet stuff dampened spirits and field alike.
Then, Thursday's night game with the Bloodhounds of Auburndale High School was canceled due to a tornado watch that marched into Central Florida from the Gulf of Mexico.
These games will be made up later, with times and dates to be announced.
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Lady Jackets Remain Undefeated, But Struggle on Offense vs. Kathleen
By Mark King
The Bartow High School Lady Jacket softball team strolled onto the Kathleen High School softball field expecting to come away winners. Big winners.
But they left the field with big wonders, scratching their collective heads over the score - a mere 2-1 victory.
Coach Glenn Rutenbar and his staff also were bewildered.
When asked if he had any comments on the game, Rutenbar said, "Not much good. Well, we did some good things, some bad. Lindsay (Littlejohn) did strike out 17 batters."
And that is definitely good.
Pitching ace Littlejohn has been on a steak lately, fanning 19 in a previous outing and now, 17. But although the Jackets improved their season record to 8-0, the offense was unable to generate enough hits to push players across the plate for the expected blowout.
Give the Devils their due, Rutenbar essentially said. "We hit the ball, but (Kathleen) made the plays."
Knotted at nada through the first three innings, the Bugs finally managed to go ahead of the Red Devils by one in the top of the fourth, but the Devils answered in the bottom of the fifth with a run of their own.
It wasn't until the top of the seventh that the Buzzers were able to exorcise the Devils when they racked the last run of the contest.
The big Bug batters were Elizabeth Howell and Kara Rutenbar, who both had doubles in the game.
Tonight, the Lady Jackets host their dear friends from Lake Wales in a re-scheduled rain-out game when the Highlanders come to play ball. The action starts at 7 p.m. at The Hive. On Tuesday, the Lady Jackets will return the favor and travel to Lake Wales for a 7 p.m. game.
On Thursday, the Lady Jackets return home for the last home game until the final game of the regular season. They will play Auburndale at 7:30 p.m.
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Lady Jackets Surrender First Runs Of Season in Rout of Celebration
By Mark King
In a week riddled with rain from Mother Nature, it was a Storm of a softball nature that blew into One Bug Place on Tuesday night to score the first runs of the season against the Jacket juggernauts.
But the Celebration Storm had little else to celebrate as the Bugs rallied to win by the score of 13-3, improving their season record to 7 - 0. Jerrica Sanchez recorded the win for 'Tow.
It didn't take long for the Storm to prove to BHS that they are much improved from the last time the two teams tangled. In the top of the first inning, the lead-off batter for Celebration, shortstop Robyn Bronson, took first on a walk, then stole second base.
When the speedster attempted to steal third, the throw from the Jackets' catcher to the third baseman went past her target and winded up in left field, allowing the Storm player to whip across the plate for the first run of the game.
It wasn't until the bottom of the second inning that the Bugs answered the challenge. With one out, Jerrica Sanchez reached base with a walk, then later stole second and third base.
After the next Buzzer batter grounded out, Rachael Jackson drilled a base hit to score Sanchez from third to tie the game for Bartow.
The Bugs sent 10 batters to the plate in the third inning to plate six runs. They added another in the fourth and five more in the sixth to finish out their offensive production.
Britta Giddens was a perfect three for three at the plate with one double and an RBI. Kara Rutenbar was three for four with a double and two RBIs, while Rachael Jackson was two for three with a triple and two RBIs. Staci Fernandez belted a triple of her own and a double while racking an RBI.
Other Bug batters with hits were Whitney Little, Elizabeth Howell, Jerrica Sanchez, Ally Connally (RBI) and Courtney Latham (two RBIs).
Originally scheduled for tonight, the make-up game with Lake Wales has been rescheduled to Monday night at 7:30 p.m. because the LW boys' basketball team is in the state tournament.
But there is still softball action at The Hive as the junior varsity Jackets try to shoot down the Eagles of George Jenkins High School in a 5:30 p.m. match-up.
On Friday, the Bugs board the bus and travel to Kathleen to meet the Red Devils in a 7:30 p.m. game.
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Littlejohn Fans 19 as Lady Jackets Continue to Roll Over Opponents
By Mark King
It was an absolutely perfect night for softball last Friday night at Lady Jacket Stadium on the campus of Bartow High School. Not a cloud in the sky, a little nip in the air, and a rival team, the Lake Region Thunder, in the third base dugout as the aroma of fresh grilled onions and green peppers floated on the breeze from the concessions stand.
So it was only fitting that on this perfect night, Bartow's senior ace, Lindsay Littlejohn, would have a perfect night, too. In fact, for the most part, the only defense the Jackets needed was Littlejohn and her catcher, Jenna Allen, as the rocket powered right hander blew away 19 Thunder batters with strike outs.
Yep. Nineteen K's.
In fact, Littlejohn only recorded 14 non-strikes as the Thunder players never caught up to her blazing fastball or deadly riser. Naturally, the Bugs won this ball game, but only by the score of 2 - 0.
The Lake Region team kept the Buzzers' base runners off the base paths for the most part with excellent defensive plays from shortstop Stephanie Hendricks and left fielder Amanda Brown.
But eventually BHS was able to push a run across in the fifth inning.
With one out, Jerrica Sanchez ripped a base hit to shallow right field. After stealing second and then advancing to third on a fielder's choice, Mallory Butler came to the plate.
Butler spanked a hard hit ball to LR's Hendricks that the shortstop mishandled, which allowed Sanchez to rack Bartow's first run.
A pair of Thunder boo-boos allowed the second run in the bottom of the sixth.
Britta Giddens led off for the Jackets by reaching base on an error by the second baseman. The "itty bitty" Bug then stole second base and was moved to third when Whitney Little recorded a base hit.
Little was taken out on a run-down between first and second and the next batter flew out to centerfield, giving Littlejohn two outs and a runner on third when she came to the plate. Littlejohn hit a grounder that rolled under the glove and between the legs of the second baseman which allowed Giddens to rack the final Bug run.
Tuesday the Lady Jackets will try to take the wind out of the Storm when Celebration High School blows into town. Then on Thursday, the Ladies will host Lake Wales in a rescheduled game that was washed out last Thursday. Game times are 7:30 p.m.
The JV squad will face one of their toughest tests this season when they take on the Frostproof varsity sqaud tonight at 7 p.m. at home. Then on Thursday, the Baby Bugs will take on George Jenkins at home at 5:30 p.m
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Ruthless Lady Jackets Have Shut Out Every Opponent This Season
By Mark King
It was a blustery Tuesday night when the Winter Haven High School Blue Devils came into Lady Jacket Stadium at One Bug Place for a softball game with the Lady Yellow Jackets of Bartow High.
And on this windy night, it was the Lady Jackets who blew away the Devils in a 10-0 rout, the fifth straight shut-out of the season. So far, the Buzzers have outscored their competition by a combined total of 38 runs to 0.
Starting in the pitcher's circle for the night was Jerrica Sanchez, the senior hurler who recently signed with Polk Community College. Coach Sonya Cook must be licking her chops after Sanchez fanned 11 batters over just five innings of play as the game was shortened because of the mercy rule.
The offensive onslaught started in the first inning as the lead-off batter for Bartow, "Itty-Bitty" Britta Giddens, crushed a three-bagger to deep center field. The next buzzer at bat, Whitney Little, plated Giddens with an RBI single to right field.
Staci Fernandez, the third batter in the Bug order, racked another run for Bartow when she nailed a single to right field to plate Little.
With the score 2-0 in the bottom of the second, BHS added four more runs, which started with a lead-off double by Kara Rutenbar. The next batter for Bartow, Jerrica Sanchez, traded places with Rutey with the second double of the inning for the Bugs.
After the next two Bug batters were retired, "Itty Bitty" once again delivered with her second hit of the game, this time a double. Then, just like the first inning, the next batter for Bartow, Whitney Little, plated Giddens. Fernandez batted in Little for the fourth run of the inning for BHS.
The Bugs took an inning off before scoring another run in the fourth, when Fernandez racked her third RBI of the evening, bringing the Bug lead to 7-0.
Elizabeth Howell, aka "Miss Ellie," led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a lead-off double down the third base line. Rutenbar batted her teammate in with a 6-3 fielder's choice.
That's when the biggest hit of the game came. Jerrica Sanchez, the pint-sized powerhouse, pasted a ball deep to centerfield that landed at the bottom of the fence for a triple.
Mallory Butler then drew a walk.
That put runners at first and third with one out for Briana Lerverett, who came off the bench. Leverett hit a fielder's choice to second to plate Sanchez. Courtney Latham then hit a worm burner up the middle to once again put Bugs on the corners.
The final run scored when Ally Connally nailed a base hit to plate Butler.
Next up for the Lady Jackets are the Lake Wales Highlanders, who march into One Bug Place tonight. Then, on Friday, it's the Lake Region Thunder's turn to try to make some noise against the Jackets.
Game times are 7:30 p.m. both nights, with JV games leading off both contests with a 5:30 p.m. start.
Thursday's game against the Highlanders will be broadcast on WWBF AM 1130 and on the Internet at www.wwbf.com.
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'Jacket Juggernaut' Blows Away Weekend Competition 16-0 Combined
By Mark King
SHE STRUCK OUT EIGHT, but Lady Jacket pitcher Jerrica Sanchez had to call it quits after four innings, due to the 10-0 lead her team had racked up against Kathleen High School on Thursday. As Sanchez and catcher Jenna Allen leave the field, the umpire signals the out. - (Staff photo by Rustin Dwyer)
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The week has been a busy one for the Bartow High School Lady Jackets softball team as they played host to three different teams last Thursday, Friday and Saturday at One Bug Place.
Kathleen High School was the first team to visit The Hive this year and it must have felt like a homecoming for the Red Devils . . . that is, if you lived in Hades.
Leading by a score of 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bugs swarmed over the Devils with eight runs scored off five base hits and one KHS error.
With one out for Bartow, Elizabeth Howell drew a walk and then from a fielding faux pas by the Kathleen second baseman put two Bugs on the bags.
Rachel Jackson stepped up to the plate and punched a one-bagger that plated Howell. After that, it was as if the Gates of Home opened up as the next seven batters eventually would cross the plate.
Jerrica Sanchez was the starting pitcher in the home-opener. Sanchez made the most of her 2005 home debut as she punished the Devils' batters with eight strike outs in just four innings, leading her team to a sinfully easy 10-0 victory.
On a soggy Friday night, the Merritt Island Mustangs stampeded into One Bug Place with high hopes of rustling a win off the Lady Jackets. They left with empty saddlebags and tails dragging as BHS again dominated the game with a 7-0 shut out.
Lindsay LIttlejohn was the starting pitcher for Coach Glenn Rutenbar, and the senior hurler banged out five strike outs. Sanchez added four of her own and Whitney Little got in another in the seventh inning as the Bug bullpen combined for 10 K's.
WHEN SHE'S NOT INTIMIDATING batters with her lightning fast rise ball or knee-knocking change up, Bartow High School Lady Jacket Lindsay Littlejohn is making her presence felt behind the plate. Littlejohn was able to get a hit in two of the Jackets three games this weekend. - (Staff photo by Rustin Dwyer)
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Believe it or not, it was an off night offensively for the Jackets. Although the Bugs scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning, they did so off just one base, from the bat of Britta Giddens.
The rest of the action was courtesy of four Merritt Island blunders.
Bartow ended the game with five hits from Jenna Allen (RBI), Giddens, Elizabeth Howell, Courtney Latham and Little (RBI).
On Saturday at 1 p.m., the Tallahassee Lincoln High School Trojans marched into the hive with visions of conquest on their minds.
But pitcher Littlejohn, Sanchez, and Little had visions of their own as they combined their efforts to fan 16 of the Trojans' horses on their way to a 9-0 no hitter. Littlejohn got the win, improving her record to 3-0 and the team's record to 4-0.
Offensively, the leading Buzzer batter was "Miss Ellie," Elizabeth Howell, who went a perfect four-for-four, including a double with three RBIs. Other hitters included Staci Fernandez (double), Britta Giddens, Little, Littlejohn and Sanchez.
The action continues for the ladies and their fans this week when the JV and varsity Bugs host three more teams and their junior varsity counterparts. Tuesday, Bartow gets to dance with devils of a different color when the Winter Haven Blue Devils attempt to put a spell on the Jacket Juggernaut.
The Highlanders from Lake Wales will try to get the lowdown on the Bugs on Thursday night, while the Thunder from Lake Region rumbles into One Bug Place on Friday Night.
Junior varsity games will begin at 5:30 p.m., while the varsity squad plays at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday's and Thursday's varsity games will be broadcast locally on WWBF AM 1130 and on the Internet at www.wwbf.com
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Bartow's Pitching and Defense Key In Rematch With Jenkins
By Mark King
Not quite one week after they met in the Pre-Season Classic championship game, the Bartow High School Lady Jacket softball team traveled to George Jenkins High School on Friday to cage the Eagles 2-0 in the 2005 season opener.
As with the game the week before, this one turned out to be a championship-style battle between two teams consistently ranked as two of the best softball programs in Polk County.
The game was a stalemate until the top of the fourth inning when Staci Fernandez pounded a base hit and wound up at second base. That's when Lindsay Littlejohn cranked out a base hit of her own to plate Fernandez for the go-ahead score.
In the next inning, Itty-Bitty Britta Giddens drew a walk, and then stole second base. Whitney Little bunted in a sacrifice attempt that actually turned into a base hit and more. The Eagles' defense erred on the throw to first, allowing Giddens to scamper all the way home for the second and final run of the game.
Defensively for the Bugs, Littlejohn, Bartow's senior primo hurler, pitched a one-hittter from the circle, fanning seven Birdies.
However, the defensive highlight of the game for Bartow came in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With only one out and the bases loaded for the Eagles, Bartow was holding on to a tenuous 1-0 lead. The Jenkins' batter smacked a line drive to the Bugs' first baseman, Rachel Jackson. Jackson reacted to the ball quickly as second baseman Fernandez ranged over to her left to back up the play.
The ball glanced off the glove of Jackson and into the air. Fernandez caught the deflection on the fly for the second out. Then, she alertly ran across the bag to get the runner out at first for an unusual 3-4 double play, ending the inning and the only real scoring threat from the Birdies.
"We are really happy to get that first win under our belt and get our feet wet for the new season," said BHS Head Coach Glenn Rutenbar after the victory. "We've got a big week coming up."
And a big week it is, with the Bugs' next game being their home opener on Thursday night when they dance with the Red Devils of Kathleen in a 7:30 p.m. gala event.
Then on Friday night, BHS will try to corral the Merritt Island Mustangs at The Hive. Saturday, the ladies will host the Trojans of Tallahassee Lincoln High School for the third game of the week.
WWBF AM 1130 will broadcast the games for fans who cannot attend and partake of the unique atmosphere available at One Bug Place.
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Lady Jackets Shut Out Opponents in Classic
By Mark King
ANOTHER STRONG SEASON appears to be ahead of Lady Jacket ace Lindsay Littlejohn. Littlejohn worked two hitless innings against Hernando on Saturday before moving to the infield. - (Staff photo by Rustin Dwyer)
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It was a beautiful day at the softball field on Saturday when the Bartow High School Lady Jackets hosted the annual Pre-Season Classic at the Hive. Three other teams came to play in the yearly contest, but at the end of the day, it was the defending Class 4A state champions who came away with the final victory.
The first game saw the Bartow Lady Jackets take on the Leopards of Hernando High School. It was the first trip into The Hive for the Leopards and it was one they will not soon forget.
Painful memories are like that. They keep coming back to haunt you.
The pain started early for Hernando. The Leopards spotted Bartow with an early four-run lead. That's kind of like giving the Patriots a three touchdown start against the Tampa Bay Storm.
Britta Giddens led off the scoring frenzy for the Bugs with a base hit up the middle. After stealing second base, Giddens plated the first run for BHS when Staci Fernandez smacked a base hit down the first base line.
That run would have been enough to win the ball game, but Bartow wasn't finished yet. Elizabeth Howell launched a booming double to deep centerfield to score Fernandez.
Following Howell, Lindsay Littlejohn banged a single bagger off the shin of the pitcher, and Howell scampered across the plate for the third score. Briana Leverett came in to pinch run for Littlejohn and immediately stole second. Eventually, Leverett would score the final run of the inning on a throwing error by Hernando.
Bartow added another run in the second, two in the fifth and one more in the sixth to hammer Hernando in an 8-0 shut out.
JUST ONE OF MANY Lady Jackets to knock out a hit, Brianna Leverett makes some contact in Bartow's 8-0 rout of Hernando in the Pre-Season Classic held Saturday. - (Staff photo by Rustin Dwyer)
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The next game was a 2-1 nailbiter between the George Jenkins Eagles and the Thunder of Lake Region.
Jenkins came away with the victory, scoring runs in the third and sixth. The Thunder scored their only run in the second inning, but threatened with runners in scoring position in the third, fifth and seventh.
Lake Region then took out their frustrations on the Hernando Leopards, winning the consolation game 7-0.
In the championship game, played at 5 p.m., the Bugs faced off against the Eagles.
This game was a defensive battle between two of the premier teams in Polk County. Jerrica Sanchez got the start on the mound and did very well indeed.
Meanwhile, Jenkins' pitcher Ashley Alderman also had a good game. She held the Jackets scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when Mallory Butler made it to first base on a fielding gaff from the Eagles.
Two batters later, Britta Giddens hit an RBI single to rack the lone run for the Bugs, giving Bartow the 1-0 lead they would carry until the end of the game.
The real season starts this Friday when the Bugs board the bus for a ride up the road to take on the Eagles once more. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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