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Small colleges on the prowl for recruits

By Times staff writers
Published February 17, 2006

Five colleges participated in Springstead's Small College Recruiting Fair on Wednesday and Thursday. Catholic University, Weber State, Ferrum College, Millsaps College and Kansas Wesleyan University sent recruiters to Spring Hill looking for football prospects. Dozens of area high school players promoted their talents, converging at Springstead Theatre across the street from the high school.

It was the first stop of many for some of the recruiters. East Bay and Lake Wales will host similar fairs within the next week and West Palm Beach and Miami will do the same later this month.

"This is when a lot of the (Division) II and III schools start making a lot of their signings, since national signing day is past and now they see who is left over," said Keith Tincknell, in charge of recruiting for Springstead.

He said recruiters showed a lot of interest in local players they met and that most of the Eagles seniors will be signed before the end of the month, possibly to colleges that were at the fair. Chris Sabilia, a senior lineman, has continued to attract interest from schools. This week he is visiting the University of Arkansas-Monticello, a Division II school.

HERNANDO CHRISTIAN: The Lions are 1-1 after losing to Tampa Cambridge 4-3 Tuesday night. Ryan Knight (1-1) was the losing pitcher. Robbie Fleischer had an RBI, and Zach Bowe threw four strong innings as starter.

"Cambridge is a strong school," coach Mike Sodders said. "We played a good game. The defense was fine. We didn't execute by moving the runners. We made a couple of defensive errors at key moments."

Cambridge scored the winning run on an error by Knight. HCA beat Lakeland Christian 12-6 Feb. 13 in the opener. Knight was the winning pitcher.

HCA plays the Villages at home today at 4 p.m.

"Our strength is going to be our pitching," Sodders said. "We have three seniors, Knight, Zach Bowe and Robbie Fleischer, who have experience. They will lead the team. We are going to work on defense. If we can handle the routine plays, we will be all right."

The softball team found the right way to start off its season. The Lions exploded offensively to down Citrus Park Christian 24-0 Feb. 7 in Citrus Park. Meredith Hanshaw was the winning pitcher.

Lexy Boever had three doubles and scored three times. Boever, Mary Ellen Langley and Heidi Riley each had two RBIs.

- VINCENT THOMAS, Times staff writer; LARRY BUGG, Times correspondent

[Last modified February 17, 2006, 02:15:35]