Softball: Breaking down Bayshore and Belleview

Bayshore's softball team makes its state semifinal debut 7:20 p.m. Friday against Belleview

Here is a look at Bayshore and Belleview, which will meet 7:20 p.m. Friday at Historic Dodgertown in a Class 5A state semifinal. It's the first appearance for the Bruins (23-4) and the second in three seasons for the Rattlers (25-5).
The winner plays either Plantation American Heritage or Ponte Vedra at 7:05 p.m. Saturday for the 5A state title.

BELLEVIEW
HEAD COACH: Gary Greer
HOW THEY GOT HERE: District 5 runner-up; beat Lecanto (11-0), Crystal River (15-0) and Brooksville Hernnando (18-4).
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Alexis Day has been a big-time threat, batting .517 with seven home runs, 32 RBIs, nine triples, seven doubles and 55 runs. She is also 37-for-37 on steal attempts...Alex Suzuki leads the team in RBIs (42) and doubles (16) and is hitting .447...Freshman Jamie Adams has handled the pitching, twirling a 21-3 record and 1.56 ERA. Adams doesn't strike out many - 68 in 134 1/3 innings - but relies on a defense that has a .944 fielding percentage.
OF NOTE: Belleview lost the District 5 championship game to Ocala Lake Weir, the same team Belleview beat 10-2 during the regular season...The Rattlers lost the 5A state final (6-4) to Plantation American Heritage in 2012...Belleview has no seniors on its roster. It does have six juniors, four sophomores and five freshmen.

BAYSHORE
HEAD COACH: Frank Luther
HOW THEY GOT HERE: District 10 champion; beat Tampa Middleton (15-0), St. Petersburg Lakewood (3-1) and Wauchula Hardee (6-0).
PLAYERS TO WATCH: LaShara James is in the midst of another big season, batting .600 with eight home runs, 43 RBIs, six triples and seven doubles while scoring 53 runs. She is 29-for-32 in steal attempts...Kristin Staley, the only senior in Bayshore's starting lineup, is hitting .521 with 29 steals...JoJo Muldoon is hitting .512...Marina Clark has knocked in 25 runs while stroking a team-best 11 doubles...Miriam Schmoll, a freshman, is 16-3 with a 1.27 ERA and 199 strikeouts in 126 2/3 innings. She has also hit five home runs and is hitting .449 with 30 RBIs.
OF NOTE: The Bruins never reached a regional softball final until last year...Bayshore has outscored its five postseason opponents 38-1...Staley is headed to Flagler next year on a softball scholarship, and Schmoll has already committed to USF.