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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