Knights warm up in Florida

While all the softball action in the area was postponed Tuesday because of unplayable field conditions, Prospect was able to take the diamond in the southeast corner of the country.

Coming off a school-record 30-5 campaign, the Knights made their season debut in Naples, Fla.

Despite being shut out 5-0 by Naples High School (28-1 last season), Prospect coach Brenda Martin saw some things she liked from her Mid-Suburban East defending champs.

Last week, Naples (14-2) went 3-0, outscoring its opponents 33-0.

"I'd rather start (the season) against the best teams than the worst," said Martin, whose team struck out 11 times against sophomore all-stater Jaclyn Traina. "They've played more than 15 games. If we had 15 under our belt, I think we would have done better. This is a good game for us. It makes us re-prioritize."

The Knights had 3 hits off Traina, a right-hander who went 17-1 last year as a freshman with an 0.12 ERA, striking out 240 batters in 119¿ innings.

She pitched 4 no-hitters and seven 1-hitters. Traina also batted .444 with a team-best 31 RBI.

"She's better than any pitcher in our area in terms of moving the ball from her fastball to her changeup," Martin said. "She throws in the mid-50s but has a very smooth delivery. That makes her look slower than she really is."

Hersey transfer Cyndi Becker (sharp hit down the right field line), making her Prospect debut, had one of the 3 hits, along with Lisa Dominick (bunt) and Mary Kate Ward (up the middle).

Becker also threw out two runners trying to steal second base (shortstop Amy Varner made the putouts) on first-and-third situations with two outs.

Prospect left fielder Jessica Dillon made a terrific running catch over her left shoulder about 215 feet the plate to prevent additional runs.

Right fielder Jessica King also made a perfect throw to Becker at the plate for a putout in the second inning.

"We made some phenomenal defensive plays," Martin said.

Naples had 9 hits and did not commit an error.

Knights senior pitcher Sheri Weidner had 2 strikeouts, 5 walks and hit one batter.

"Sheri had a few too many walks early, but once she got her rhythm, she was fine," Martin said. "She did a good job moving ball around."

Martin said the high school complex reminded of her Barrington's Fields of Dreams with a concession stand and press box but fewer fields.

The Knights play at Barron Collier High School today at 7 p.m.