Lake Brantley vs. Hagerty tops district title games
Two of the top softball teams in the Orlando area square off Thursday to decide the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 7A District 3 championship.
Lake Brantley (20-4) faces Hagerty (18-4) in a Seminole Athletic Conference showdown at Apopka High School at 7 p.m. The Patriots rank No. 2 in 7A and No. 5 overall in FHSAA power ratings. Hagerty is No. 7 in 7A and No. 16 in the state.
The Huskies prevailed 5-2 when the teams last played on April 6.
On Tuesday, Hannah Marien hit a 3-run home run and allowed only 1 hit while striking out 15 batters to lead Lake Brantley to a 4-0 semifinal win vs. Oviedo (7-15). Karson Cuozzo went 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored as Hagerty won 5-3 in the other semi at Apopka (17-7).
Four district champions in each region earn automatic spots in FHSAA regional tournaments beginning next week. Admission to district final games is $6.
No. 3 Orange City University (17-7) pulled out a 2-0 win over No. 2 Winter Springs (16-7) to reach the 6A-4 final vs. No. 1 seed Port Orange Spruce Creek (20-3). Senior Grace Taylor struck out 6 batters and held Winter Springs to 4 hits. Aminah Vega homered in the third inning to plate both runs for the Titans.
No. 2 Kissimmee Liberty (9-10) needs a win Thursday vs. No. 1 Eau Gallie (13-11) in 5A-7 to ensure a spot in regionals for the first time.
The Chargers scored 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning before holding off a rally by Palm Bay Heritage (5-15) in the seventh during an 8-7 semifinal win. Seniors Jehna Morales and Blanca Elaraj each finished 3-for-4 at the plate.
Montverde Academy (16-8) defeated Trinity Prep (7-11) and Windermere Prep (9-7) handled Cornerstone Charter (13-13) by 2-1 scores to set up the 3A-7 championship game. Montverde won 5-2 in February in what was the season opener for both teams.
Mount Dora Christian, Orlando Christian Prep and Foundation Academy each rolled into Class 2A district finals with lopsided wins Tuesday.
Wynter Craft went 3-for-4 with a home run, double and 4 RBIs as Mount Dora Christian (17-9) won 10-0 vs. Brooksville Hernando Christian (15-7). Craft also struck out 6 batters and allowed only 1 hit.
Orlando Christian Prep (19-4) made quick work of Central Florida Christian (3-11) during a 16-0 win. Grace Thomas went 2-for-2 with 3 RBIs and Mia Rosario stuck out 6 batters in 3 innings.
Foundation (14-8) held Kissimmee City of Life (9-8) without a hit in a 10-0 win in 5 innings. Riley Winter struck out 13 batters for the Lions.
Thursday’s district championship game schedule is listed below. Check with participating schools to confirm game times and locations.
Softball district finals 7A-3: No. 1 Lake Brantley vs. No. 2 Hagerty, 7
7A-4: No. 1 Winter Park/No. 4 Colonial vs. No. 2 Timber Creek/ No. 3 Boone, 7
7A-5: No. 1 West Orange vs. No. 2 Windermere High, 4:30.
7A-9: No. 1 Lake Nona vs. No. 2 Cypress Creek, 7
6A-4: No. 1 Port Orange Spruce Creek vs. No. 3 Orange City University, 7
6A-9: No. 1 Clermont East Ridge vs. No. 2 Osceola, 7
5A-6: No. 1 Auburndale/No. 4 Dade City Pasco vs. No. 2 Groveland South Lake, 7
5A-7: No. 1 Eau Gallie vs. No. 2 Liberty, 6.
4A-5: No. 1 Deltona vs. No. 2 Daytona Beach Mainland, 7 4A-7: No. 1 Eustis vs. No. 2 Bishop Moore, 7
3A-5: No. 1 The Villages vs. No. 2 Umatilla, 6.
3A-7: No. 1 Montverde Academy vs. No. 2 Windermere Prep, 7 2A-5: No. 1 The Geneva School vs. No. 2 Deltona Trinity, 4:30
2A-6: No. 1 Mount Dora Christian vs. No. 2 Ocala Trinity, 6
2A-7: No. 1 Orlando Christian Prep vs. No. 2 The First Academy, 6 2A-8: No. 1 Foundation Academy vs. No. 3 Lakeland Christian, 4:30