Wellington advances as Farley stands out
Senior homers, strikes out 11 in 6-1 win over Bartow.
WELLINGTON — Wellington drew a tough opening assignment Wednesday night in its Class 8A regional softball quarterfinal.
But the Wolverines proved ready for the challenge, earning a 6-1 victory against Bartow — the state’s No. 3-ranked team — in front of a loud home crowd.
Pitcher Danni Farley struck out 11 and added a homer, and Sarah Longleyalsohomered for No. 2 Wellington, which improved to 25-2 with the win.
The Wolverines move on to face Lakeland-George Jenkins or Royal Palm Beach in Tuesday’s regional semifinals.
“This w a s very nerve-wracking, knowing that t his team was very good,” Wellington coach Mark Boretti said. “I think I’ve talked about it. But knowing Danni’s pitching — she wasn’t even her best tonight, but she was 98 per- cent Danni Farley tonight. She was on.”
It didn’t take long for Wellington to find its offense. Longley gave the Wolverines a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-out homer to left-center.
The junior shortstop, who has committed to the University of Florida, hit the sec- ond pitch she saw over the wall for the game’s first run.
“To get us on the board first was huge,” Boretti said.
The Yellow Jackets (23-5) nearly tied it up in the third. Mari Stephens drew a oneout walk and stole a pair of bases to get to third.
But Farley, who struck out six of the first seven batters she faced, got out of the inning on another strikeout and a fly ball to center.
Wellington came back in its half of the third to take a 5-0 lead. Alexis Mobilia’s squeeze attempt was misplayed with one out, leading to one run. And Farley brought home the other three on a two-out, threerun homer to center.
Farley ran into trouble in the fifth. She gave up a leadoff double to Gabi Schaal, and loaded the bases with one out. But she got out of the inning on a strikeout and a fly ball to left.
Wellington tacked on its final run in the sixth on a Raegan Conley single.
Farley allowed a run in the seventh, but closed out the game with a ground ball to second. She improved to 14-0 with the win.