History could be in the making

Coral Springs Charter eyeing 6th straight state title

In search of its sixth consecutive state championship, the Coral Springs Charter softball team is on the verge of cementing itself into Florida high school history.

After last year’s softball campaign came to an abrupt end due to COVID-19, the Panthers will get another opportunity to accomplish their long-sought-after goal with junior pitcher Briana Godfrey and senior infielder Bridget Dunham at the helm of their efforts. In 2019, Coral Springs Charter tied Bartow for the Florida record for most consecutive titles after defeating Marianna 7-2 in the Class 5A state finals.

“We were trying to set the all-time record for consecutive state titles and COVID threw a big red flag right in the middle of the whole process,” coach Mark Montimurro said. “I think the girls are hungrier ... We really want that record.

“No one has ever won six in a row. So I think there’s a little extra incentive for us to accomplish that, especially in light of how COVID shortened things last year.”

Godfrey, who boasted a 16-0 record and 0.91 ERA as a freshman, will headline the Panthers pitching staff, looking to carry over her success from previous seasons. Before last season was shut down, Godfrey compiled a 6-1 record and 1.75 ERA in the seven contests she pitched.

Dunham will be relied on to fuel the Panthers offensively, following her sophomore season when she compiled a .427 batting average, 38 hits, 21 RBIs and 38 runs. Dunham, who will be playing her college ball at Indian River State College, posted a .292 average in the team’s limited action last season.

Dunham will be one of three seniors returning to the team this season.

“The style that we play is generally a speed game,” Montimurro said. “We don’t really have a lot of that as far as our veteran players go. So our young players fit that mold, and I think we’re going to have to give them an opportunity to execute our system.

“I think if they do, we can be really good. But at the same time we need our righthanded hitters to be very productive. We just don’t have the depth and the offensive potency that we once had. So we have to be very creative.”

Highlighted by senior pitcher Tyrina Jones, Park Vista will also be looking to win consecutive state titles this season after beating Newsome 3-2 in extra innings in the 2019 Class 9A state championship.

Jones, who is a former Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Softball Player of the Year, compiled a 23-2 record on the mound during the team’s championship season while posting a 0.61 ERA, 223 strikeouts, a perfect game, two no-hitters and four one-hitters. Displaying her versatile skill set, Jones — a Purdue University commit — also recorded a .451 batting average, 30 hits, 24 RBIs, 22 runs and two home runs.

Before last season got cut short, Jones went 7-0 in 10 pitching appearances and accumulated a 1.24 ERA.

“We’re super fortunate to have a young lady as talented as Tyrina is,” said Park Vista coach Joe DellaRocca, who led the Cobras to their first state championship in 2019.

“She’s the captain of our team and she earns that, not just because she’s talented.

She works really hard and the girls follow her example. She’s such a great teammate.”

Senior catcher Kelsey Ganci is primed to be one of the top performers for the Cobras as she racked up a .423 batting average, 11 hits and seven RBIs before last season came to a close. Ganci led the Cobras in hits (34) during their championship season as well as placed second in RBIs (22).

Losing in the semifinals to Lakewood Ranch 12-2 in 2019 and Hagerty 1-0 in 2018, the Cooper City Cowboys’ road back to states will be heavily dependent on the success of junior catcher Kirsten Caravaca.

In the Cowboys’ seven contests last season, Caravaca accumulated a .600 batting average, 15 hits, 13 RBIs and 11 runs. Caravaca made an immediate impact for the Cowboys in her freshman season, batting a .417 average with five home runs, 22 runs scored, 32 RBIs and five bases stolen.

“Back in 2020, we were heading in the right direction,” Cooper City coach Phil Schmalz said. “We won seven in a row, everything was going very well. We were climbing up the rankings on MaxPreps. Everything was hitting on all cylinders and then all of sudden, boom, COVID hits and abruptly stops.

“We were kind of in that mode of what could’ve happened if we played the full season? Where could we have ended up? Could we have gone to states? Could we have won states?”

Junior first baseman and pitcher Jordyn Hustey is also expected to contribute at a high level for Cooper City. Hustey posted a .524 batting average with 12 RBIs while also going 4-0 in the circle with two saves.

Coming up short at states three consecutive times, Oxbridge Academy will have a challenging road to return to the final four due to the graduation of former Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Softball Player of the Year Josie Foreman.

Being defeated by Trinity Christian Academy 10-3 in the 2019 state semifinals, the ThunderWolves also fell to Westminster Christian 2-1 in the 2018 state semifinals and once again to Westminster Christian 4-2 in the 2017 state finals.

Senior infielder Tatianna Davis and junior pitcher Luna Curran will be looked on to compensate for the departure of Foreman. Davis racked up a team-high 42 runs, 25 hits and 12 RBIs in 2019, while Curran went 5-0 in nine appearances with a 1.41 ERA. Other players to watch Broward: American Heritage: Emily Legette, IF; Halle Roach, OF; Marissa Thompson, IF; Archbishop McCarthy: Isabella Chenet, OF; Calvary Christian: Alexa Gonzalez, UT; Cypress Bay: Lexine Parker, P; Pembroke Pines Charter: Stephanie Gonzalez, IF; South Plantation: Ali Blondin, P; West Broward: Victoria Navarro, P; Palm Beach: American Heritage-Delray: Alexa Chaplin, IF; Jupiter: Chrissy Fontaine, OF; Oxbridge Academy: Jena Whipple, P; Palm Beach Gardens: Brooke Barnard, IF; Dani Deaton, P; Royal Palm Beach: Jamie Marcus, OF; Wellington: Nelia Peralta, IF; West Boca: Jessica Jaruszewski, IF; Important dates April 26-30: District tournaments May 5-6: Regional tournament quarterfinals May 11: Regional tournament semifinals May 14: Regional tournament finals May 18-22: Florida High School Softball state championships