Palmetto beats Coral Reef for softball district title
Isabella Martinez drove in the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Palmetto girls’ softball team edged Coral Reef 6-5 for a 7A district championship.
Trailing 5-3 in the seventh inning, the Tigers rallied for the dramatic, come-from-behind victory.
Ana Mendieta, Sophia Wylie and Amanda Diaz singled to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh. Alexis Ortega’s RBIground out to second scored Mendieta, trimming the deficit to one.
Coral Reef intentionally walked Olivia Rapp to load the bases. Martinez then delivered a clutch “frozen rope” up the middle, scoring Wylie with the tying run and Diaz with the winner.
Martinez went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI. Wylie was 2 for 3 with two runs. Mendieta, Diaz and Alyssa Sedler each went 2for 3. Winer ning pitcher Melody Vizcaino improved to 16-2.
The district champs are sophomore Jhania Askew, freshman Kaitlyn Beaton, sophomore Daniela David, senior Amanda Diaz, junior Emily Gonzalez-Mouri, freshman Dylan Lesman, junior Isabella Martinez, sophomore Ana Mendieta, junior Alexis Ortega, senior Olivia Rapp, sophomore Olivia Rodriguez, freshman Alejandra Sanchez-Osorio, juniorAlyssa Sedler, junior Melody Vizcaino, sophomoreZaria Wright, sophomore Abigail Wylie, sophomore Sophia Wylie. The head coach is Emilio Exposito, and the assistant coaches are Ryan Ricke and Carissa Licata.
Palmetto (20-4) plays Braddock in a region quarterfinal on Thursday.
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3A District Championship: Westminster Christian 13, Somerset Silver Palms 0:
This marks the 19th consecutive district championship for the Warriors’ softball pro
Winning pitcher Bella Artiles struck out eight over four innings. Hailey Donovan went 4 for 4 including a triple and home run, her 13th of the season, tying the schoolmark set by current Ole Miss player Aly Mena.
In a regional quarterfinal on Wednesday, Westminster Christian (20-6) will play\s Ransom Everglades.
BASEBALL
The Doral Academy baseball team shut out Hialeah 14-0 for its third consecutive district title.
Gaby Gutierrez went 2 for 3 and scored, and Anthony Bordone was 2 for 3 with a home run and four RBI. Jake Santos was 1 for 1 with two RBI, and Renzo Gonzalez went 1 for 2 with two RBI.
Winning pitcher Nick Franglais tossed three scoreless innings, striking out three to improve to
7-2. Jake Gorelick added two shutout innings of relief, also striking out three.
The Firebirds will play South Broward on Friday in a 6A region quarterfinal.
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5A District Championship: Belen Jesuit 12, Killian 2:
Andy Bello was the winning pitcher in this district final. He allowed four hits and struck outthree, while going the distance.
More Top Performers: Lou DeGoti 2-3, 2 2B, 2 R; Gio Cueto 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R; Dorian Gonzalez 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R; DJ Perez 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI; Jack Sampedro 2-4, RBI, 2 R; Andy Gutierrez 1-3, 2 R.
The Wolverines (18-9) will play Pembroke Pines Charter on Thursday in a 5A region quarterfinal.
DISTRICT BASEBALL HONORS
HSBN All District 16-2A: Riviera Prep:
Sophmore shortstop Eric Fernandez, a University of Miami commit, was named HSBN District 16-2A Playgram.
of the Year. Senior Luis Angarita was named First Team utility. Senior Yohanny Vasquez was named First Team utility. Senior DJ Flowers was named First team third basemen. Junior Nick Flowers was named First Team outfield. Sophmore Marc Quarrie was named First team utility.
STATE BASKETBALL HONORS
The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) and Source Hoops presented the 2020-2021 Boys’ Class 5A All-State Teams.
Including two from Broward and Miami Dade counties, 15 players (first team, second team, third team) represented the best of the best for schools that participate in Class 5A.
Those players were selected based on in-person evaluations, a review of all-area teams selected by media from around the state and recognition from the Florida Association of
Basketball Coaches.
FIRST TEAM
Diego Plata, 6-7 Sr, Auburndale; Jamil Bowles, 6-5 Sr, Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee; Tony Green, 6-6 Sr, Naples;
Kolby King, 6-2 Jr, Pembroke Pines Charter; Ryan Weir, 6-0 Sr, Tampa Jesuit.
SECOND TEAM
Junior Sylvestre, 5-11 Sr, Fort Myers Cypress Lake; Camerin James, 6-6 So, Leesburg; Cam Johnson, 6-5 Jr, Miami Norland; Josiah Sabino, 6-3 Jr, Orange Park; Jamar Franklin, 6-4 Jr, Rockledge.
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
Region Semifinal: Cardinal Gibbons d. ●
St. Thomas Aquinas 25-14, 25-18, 25-13: Top Player: Caden Day 13 kills, 5 digs, 3 blocks, 1 assist.
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR GAME
The Miami Dade Boys’ Volleyball All Star Game is May 21 at iMater Academy.
The event is being organized by iMater coach Daniel Benitez. Coaches can email him at:
dbenitez@imater.org.
SUBMIT POSTSEASON RESULTS
For high schools in Broward and Miami Dade counties, if you have postseason game results and stats for this column, email hssports@miamiherald.com. Varsity only.