High schools

Rain-delayed softball championships will be on the line this week beginning today.

State-qualifying softball teams across Florida have had to wait long enough.

After the state championships were pushed back twice from last week due to inclement weather, it’s time to play at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.

The area’s lone defending state champion, Coral Springs Charter, which has reeled off three consecutive Class 5A titles, looks to make it four straight.

This time around, the Panthers (28-2) are looking to pull it off with a new arm in the circle as Ally Muraskin went off to college after one of the most decorated high school softball careers for anyone to ever come out of Broward County.

Senior Emily Estroff, who transferred from Monarch last offseason, looks to keep the winning tradition going. She brings a 26-2 record and 1.41 ERA into states, where Charter begins with a semifinal against Hardee on Tuesday morning.

“When Emily came over, we instantly thought we had a real, legitimate chance to contend for another title,” Panthers coach Mark Montimurro said. “She’s shown that she has what it takes, and if we bring our A game to Vero, we have as good a shot as anybody.”

A loaded lineup is spearheaded by junior shortstop and Auburn commit Lindsey Garcia, who is hitting .578 with10 home runs and 47 RBI. Senior catcher Gianna Boccagno is the “glue” for this team, Montimurro says, providing leadership for the team in the post-Muraskin era.

American Heritage, which has won a Browardbest seven state titles since 2004, looks to get back on top after falling in the Class 6A final a year ago. The Patriots (19-8) have made a run through regionals once again in a season where they dealt with much turnover, losing nine seniors. They enter a semifinal against Lake Wales on Tuesday afternoon winners of 12 of their last 15.

“We went through some growing pains as they learned to play together, do the things that we do and compete,” Heritage coach Marty Cooper said.

The Patriots will count on a pair of junior pitchers in Amelia Saviskas and Julia Grobman. Their offense is led by senior Florida signee Hannah Sipos, along with Marley Felder, Marisa Soterakis and Katherine Rodriguez.

Also back after reaching the title game last year is Oxbridge Academy. The ThunderWolves (21-5) get a rematch with the team that dealt them that defeat last season, Miami West- minster Christian, tonight.

With a young core, Oxbridge will look to sophomore Caridad Estes’ pitching and hitting. She’s 11-4 with a 1.71 ERA, and is hitting .453 with six home runs and 34 RBI. Freshman pitcher Jena Whipple should also see action while sophomore Josie Foreman is hitting .558 with 40 RBI.

Broward will be represented in all three of the largest classifications. Pines Charter, led by junior pitcher Eliza Gonzalez, marches into a Tuesday afternoon bout between two of the entire state’s top 10 teams (MaxPreps), going against Fort Myers in 7A.

Cooper City (23-5), after an extra-inning regional final victory to knock off perennial state qualifier St. Thomas Aquinas, faces Oviedo Hagerty in an 8A semifinal on Tuesday evening.

Later Tuesday night, Western, advancing through a wild Region 3-9A as a district runnerup, gets Miami Coral Reef. The Wildcats (20-7) are back in Vero for the second time in three seasons.

Lake Worth Christian qualified in 2A, facing Academy at the Lakes this morning.

JOHN MCCALL/STAFF FILE PHOTO Emily Estroff of Coral Springs Charter, which is seeking a fourth straight title, will be pitching against Hardee on Tuesday.