By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
DAVIE – By no means was the result the comeback for the ages.
Western’s stunning four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning proved to be enough as they defeated West Broward with a 5-4 victory in a Class 7A regional final at Western High.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Wildcats starting senior pitcher Ali Solo forced in the winning run when she was hit by a pitch on her right foot to score Katarina Kuma from third.
The stunning victory lifted the Wildcats (20-5-1) to the state semifinals as Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood on May 23.
Western is seeking to win its third state championship since winning the Class 9A title in 2018 and last year’s 7A title.
“We fight to the end,” Western coach John Bradshaw. “These girls have been in big games, and they never give up. We preach that day in and day out.”
“A lot of hard work goes into this. Every time we step on the field, we have a chance to win,” he continued. “The opposing pitcher lost control towards the end, and I instructed Ali (Solo) to take advantage of this opportunity. It turned out and we’re going to state’s.”
Solo, who wasn’t having her best outing as the starting pitcher for Western, relished in the moment.
“This was probably one of the biggest moments for me,” said Solo. I wasn’t expecting her to hit me at all. She had been pitching great all night. Honestly, I was going to do anything for my team at that point. I had been struggling at the plate. Taking that pitch obviously got us somewhere.”
Up 2-1 entering the top of the sixth inning, the Bobcats added two more runs on an error, allowing Mady Remotigue and Cyara Geronimo to score increasing their lead to three runs.
West Broward (18-8) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a two-run double down the left-field line, with Victoria Carmona and Isabella Cruz scoring.
Western had managed a pair of meaningless hits through the first three-innings, before a bunt single by Gia Solano pushed Delaney Clair, who was running for Kennedy Butter, home from third.
“She gave it everything she got,” said West Broward coach Kyle Davis of his starting pitcher in sophomore Cheyanne Chaffin. “Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way. Having a 4-1 lead slip away in the last inning with an out is hard to swallow. We just fell short, and it hurts. It’s beyond words.”
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By Dave Brousseau BCAA Writer
FORT MYERS – The Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team has been waiting seven years since its last state title.
The itch is over.
Led by senior starting pitcher Jonathan Lopez, the Raiders defeated Gainesville Buchholz 8-3 for the FHSAA Class 6A state championship at Hammond Stadium on Saturday.
The title was their first since 2018 and fourth in school history. The eight runs scored was the most allowed by the Bobcats (33-3) this season.
The Raiders’ other baseball championships came in 1995 and 2003. Their fourth overall title joins Archbishop McCarthy (7) and Douglas (6) with the most in Broward County history.
As St. Thomas (29-6-1) did in its 15-run semifinal shutout victory on Friday, they scored runs in bunches with three each in the first and second innings for a 6-2 lead.
“When we get some runs, we need to only stack one or two at a time,” said Aquinas coach Joey Wardlow. “For everyone we get, they must score two to beat us. We went with that plan and took advantage of some mistakes.”
Up by one in the second, Lopez drilled a two-run double down the right-field line, giving the Raiders a 6-2 lead. He was later brought home on an RBI single to the left field by Joshua Jennings.
The Raiders completed the day with eight hits, including three doubles.
“They had excellent bats by those guys,” said Buchholz coach Ron Brooks. “The biggest inning was when they put up three in the first and three again in the second. It wasn’t our day. It was their day.”
Lopez was steady on the mound, allowing three hits with three strikeouts to earn the victory.
Perhaps the biggest play of the game came in the second inning when junior center fielder Nico Sabatino ran down a deep fly to centerfield with a diving over the shoulder catch.
Said Sabatino,” That’s what I pride myself in doing and that’s playing defense. I go out and make those plays and that’s what I do. That’s normal for me.”
“I went out there knowing I could trust my defense and throw strikes,” said Lopez “I knew if I could throw in the zone, I would have a chance to win the game.”
SO LONG COACH WATERS
A combined 50 years as the St. Thomas Aquinas head baseball and assistant coach, Ed Waters tenure came to a happy conclusion on Saturday with the Raiders Class 6A state title.
Waters was hired as Raiders head coach in 1976 by former athletic director George Smith after three years as an assistant.
“The game remains the same no matter how long you stay in it,” said Waters. “The kids were wonderful back then and they still are today. I’ll still be there. I live a few miles from the school and can go to any game. All the guys that have been part of the program have been great.”
Coach Waters has been part of all four of the programs state championships and finished with a 181-173-1 career record either leading or assisting the 10 state tournament appearances.
“There’s no way to put a value of winning another title. What a way to go out.”
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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By Dave Brousseau BCAA Writer
CORAL SPRINGS – The Coral Springs Charter softball team proved this season how good they really are heading into the Class 3A regional semifinal on Tuesday.
Before the first pitch against St. Brendan, they collectively proved what type of teammates they’ve become.
Prior to the Panthers’ 12-0 victory, teammates exchanged tears and hugs in the dugout for freshman Addi Brown, whose mother passed away earlier in the day with breast cancer.
“Addi deserves all our support,” said Coral Springs Charter coach Mark Montimurro. “She deserves the upmost credit for coming out after suffering such an enormous loss. Her being able to focus and have a productive game. She made her mom proud, who was a big part of Coral Springs softball. We all think extremely highly of her and we’re going to miss her. Addi did an amazing job in focusing today and producing today. For Addi, softball has been her oasis. She did that again today.”
“We all wanted to come out here and play for her mom,” said junior infielder Gio Gurgel, who went 2 for 2 with a double, homer and five RBI. “She did everything for us. She always had our backs and was the happiest person out there. Addi got it from her, a very respected person that works very hard.”
Winning the all-important regional semifinal proved manageable as the Panthers scored seven runs in the first two innings.
Following a two-run double by Gurgel, winning pitcher Courtney Wahlbrink added an RBI triple and Brown an RBI single for a 4-0 first inning lead. Three more runs in the next inning off a Gurgel three-run homer upped the lead to 7-0.
“We been seeing live pitching at practice a lot and I think that’s made a big difference,” said Montimurro. “The bats have been a higher quality, hitting the ball harder and striking out less. It’s paid off and our offense has really been on fire. A tribute for the girls with the work they have put in.”
Coral Springs Charter (23-3) will host Somerset Academy in a regional final at Cypress Park at 6 p.m. tonight for the right to advance to the state semifinals.
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL REULTS
CLASS 7A
WEST BROWARD 11, CORAL REEF 1: Senior Alivia Artanis went 2 for 4 with four RBI and Natalia Solorzano had a home run and three RBI to lead the Bobcats (18-7).
WESTERN 3, PARK VISTA 0: Analie Diaz hit a 2-run homer in the opening inning to lead the Wildcats (19-5-1). Senior Ali Solo was the winning pitcher, allowing four hits with five strikeouts for the shutout.
CLASS 6A
DORAL ACADEMY 10, MONARCH 0: Anabela Abdullah had a home run and three RBI to pace the Firebirds (28-1).
SOUTH PLANTATION 14, WEST BOCA 4: The Paladins advanced to the regional finals with their seventh straight victory.
CLASS 5A
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 8, PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER 7: Brianna Sims and Sara Wrzosek each had three RBI to lead the Raiders (15-12). Yenisett Yescas had a home run and five RBI for the Jaguars (12-15), who nearly rallied to tie score with three runs in the top of the seventh inning.
TODAY’S REGIONAL FINALS
Class 7A: West Broward (18-7) at Western (19-5-1), 6:30.
Class 6A: South Plantation (14-11) at Doral Academy (28-1), 7.
Class 5A: South Fork (17-6) at St. Thomas Aquinas (15-12), 7.
Class 3A: Somerset Academy (21-6) at Coral Springs Charter (23-3) at Cypress Park, 6.
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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By Dave Brousseau BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – The St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team needed to remain patient to earn the opportunity to potentially play for a state championship.
The Raiders were a victory shy of sweeping Doral Academy in the second game of the Class 6A region final. A win would advance Aquinas to the state semifinal in Fort Myers.
Despite a three-run homer by Andrew Alvarez in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Raiders would fall short losing to the Firebirds 5-3 on Thursday.
With the best 2 of 3 series tied at one, the eventual outcome was decided on Saturday at Doral as the Raiders rolled to a 12-6 victory to earn a berth in the state tournament.
Jaden Doverspike, Brady Buxbaum and Alvarez combined for three home runs and seven RBI.
Alvarez’s homer on Thursday came on the heels of his grandfather passing earlier that day.
“I was hoping it would go over the fence for him,” said Alvarez. “I was just happy that we could get our guys back in the game. We came up short but that’s alright. We’ve gotten this far so there’s no need to change anything.”
The Firebirds scored five runs in the top of the second inning, before Alvarez’s shot over the fence.
“We’re alright,” said Aquinas coach Joey Wardlow. “It’s time to bounce back and get back to work, do what we do and get it done. What we told the guys when we down it we don’t quit.”
The Raiders (27-6-1) will play Valrico Bloomingdale in a state semifinal game at Hammond Stadium at the Lee Health Sports Complex on Friday at 1 p.m. The Raiders’ last state title came in 2018 and has three championships to date.
DOUGLAS EAGLES HEADED BACK TO STATE
Parkland Douglas advanced to the Class 7A state semifinals following an 8-7 victory over West Broward last Thursday, scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Eagles (29-2), winners of a state record 26 consecutive playoff games and four straight state championships will play Tampa Alonso in a Class 7A state semifinal at 4 p.m. on Friday.
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
PARKLAND – The remarkable journey by the Stoneman Douglas High baseball team has reached heights never achieved.
Behind the strong pitching effort by Gio Rojas, the Eagles rolled to a 6-0 victory over West Broward in the first game of the best of three series in the Class 7A regional finals on Wednesday.
Rojas was masterful allowing only a second inning single, while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings and recording 13 consecutive batters. His strong performance earned the Eagles a state-record 25 consecutive playoff victories
Douglas (28-2) will have the opportunity to wrap up the series tonight at home.
“I had a lot of fun with these guys tonight,” said Rojas. “I came into this game ready to play. I was in my groove and the first batter really didn’t matter. The entire game, I felt dialed in as my change-up, slider and fastball were all working.
Winning this first game makes our opponent worry a little more. It helps us apply a little pressure.”
Rojas has been masterful in his three regional playoff outings to date, both on the mound and at the plate.
“Not only that he’s also swung the bat well, He’s been locked in for the last few weeks,” said Douglas coach Todd Fitz-Gerald. “That was one of the best performances I‘ve seen from him. With his command of his pitches, I couldn’t be any happier for him. Gio is a product of his work ethic.”
“The job is not done yet as West Broward is a resilient group. We can finish this series at home, he added.”
As the Eagles had done in the regional semifinal games against Taravella, they scored multiple runs in the first two inning games against West Broward (21-13).
Michael Ossenfort and Drew Freeman each had RBI singles in the first inning, driving in Rojas and Nick Diaz for a 2-0 lead.
Douglas added two more runs in the second inning when Lorenzo Laurel scored on an error, after reaching base with a double. Cade Raley scored on an RBI double by Bennett Gary for a 4-0 lead.
The Eagles added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with RBI singles from Mattew Toback and Gary.
“He’s a great high school pitcher,” West Broward coach Howard Stein said of Rojas. “You have a guy throwing in the mid 90’s and he throws breaking pitches any time he wants. I thought we were good today, our approach was good, and our bats were good. They did better than us today.”
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