Chiefland girls beat Ft. White, ready for P.K.

Chiefland girls racked up another W with a thrilling 6-5 home victory over tough district foe Fort White. The red Lady Indians were last year's district runner-up, knocking off Chiefland's district arch-nemesis Williston in the semifinal with outstanding pitching from then-eighth-grader Taylor Douglas. Chiefland Head Coach Wayne Weatherford was accordingly thrilled to get the best of this very good team.

Dave Colon

Chiefland catcher Taylore Fuller comes up fast for the throw to first.

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“It was a heck of a game,” he said.

“Just awesome. It went back and forth – we jumped on 'em and scored first, but it was like a teeter-totter the whole way.”

Weatherford said the whole team contributed to the win, starting with solid pitching from Amber Richardson and Brittany Davis.

“Taylore Fuller was excellent behind the plate,” Weatherford added.

“This game was one of the high points of our season so far.”

Douglas was not pitching for Fort White Tuesday, due to an injury, but she was in the lineup. She hit a worm-burner up the middle that skipped funny and caught Chiefland shortstop Amie Biehl in the left cheekbone. Biehl was bloodied but not seriously injured and did not leave the game.

“Amie's a warrier,” Weatherford said.

“It didn't make any difference to her playing. She stayed in and did a great job.”

Davis, one of the team's few seniors, carried the team with her vocal leadership, Weatherford said.

“She's a captain and she really kept the girls motivated. She stayed up on everybody and kept things going all game.”

Chiefland hosts district leader P.K. Yonge Thursday, a game that he and his players are hotly anticipating.

“I'm not sure what to expect now, because our district is so topsy-turvey,” Weatherford said.

“I thought Ft. White was the top contender but they've lost to Williston and us, both games by one run, and P.K. is undefeated in the district, and they beat both Williston and Ft. White by one run.”

Weatherford says he's very confident, and he needs his team to share his confidence.

“I know we can win, but I need my girls to know they can win,” he said.

“I know we're capable, but I also know that a team like this can intimidate you just going in. My girls all watch the papers, and they know where we stand. P.K.'s talent is really spread around; there's no one girl that really stands out on that team.”

Weatherford says he'll probably start Brittany Davis on the mound Thursday, after Amber Richardson started Tuesday at Newberry.

“Christen Trail hurt her shoulder and I'm not sure when we'll get her back,” Weatherford said.

“Now I'm down to two pitchers, instead of the three I'd planned on.”

Chiefland is 3-1 in the district and 5-1 overall.