Panthers bust tie in fifth inning to advance to state semifinals

CORAL SPRINGS — Three-time defending state champion Coral Springs Charter broke a 2-2 tie by scoring three runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, leading the Panthers to a 7-3 win over Gulliver Prep in a 5A regional softball final Friday and a berth in the next week’s state semifinals versus Hardee.

Tied at two with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Gianna Boccagno lined a single to left field that scored pinch runner Bridget Dunham to give the Panthers a 3-2 lead.

Alyssa Laboy, the next batter, followed with a rocket over the fence in left center for a two-run homer, increasing the Coral Springs Charter lead to 5-2.

Coral Springs Charter (28-2) took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the second when Tatiana Luerson crushed a 2-run home run to straight away center field, scoring Boccagno, who led off the inning with a single to put the Panthers ahead 2-0.

Gulliver Prep (16-10-1) cut the lead to 2-1 in the third when Courtney Carrol lined a single to right center field.

Makayla Frazier tied the score at two for the Raiders in the fourth when she laced a line drive off the right foot of Panthers’ pitcher Emily Estroff, allowing Alyssa Jensen to score from second.

Sara Berthiaume and Lindsey Garcia added solo homers in the sixth for the Panthers.