Doral Academy looking to bring state softball title back home
Doral Academy has been the most consistent softball program of the past four seasons in South Florida.
While some teams have struggled to maintain that level of success, the Firebirds have continued to thrive with one of the deepest rosters in the state year after year.
That success has helped Doral be the only South Florida team to advance to at least the state semifinals in four consecutive seasons with the exception of 2020 when the state tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Under the tutelage of coach Willie Viruet, Doral won a state title in 2021 and finished state runnerup in 2022. Last season, the Firebirds lost to eventual state champion Bartow in the state semifinals.
But this coming season might see the Firebirds take a step forward again.
Doral returns a balanced squad that will be led in the pitching circle once again by senior pitcher and UCF signee Yessenia Lopez, who went 19-6 with 246 strikeouts and a 1.20 ERA in her first season pitching for the Firebirds to earn 7A-6A Miami Herald Pitcher of the Year honors.
Junior third baseman Sarah Breaux, a Clemson commit and Miami Herald 7A-6A Player of the Year honoree, returns to lead Doral’s lineup after hitting .469 with six home runs last season.
Siblings Anabela Abdullah, a sophomore, and eighth-grade second baseman Zoey Abdullah. Anabela helped Team USA win the inaugural U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup Championships in Tokyo this offseason.
Sophomore first baseman Meagan Villazon adds depth to the lineup and in the pitching circle while junior first baseman Leyani Viruet and junior catcher Lauren Ali should also make an impact.
READY TO RIDE AGAIN
Fresh off its first ever trip to the state final, Somerset Silver Palms lost only two starters - Miami Herald 4A-2A Pitcher of the Year Edan Playa and All-Dade first team infielder Gessenia Hernandez - from last year’s Class 3A runner-up squad.
The Stallions, who went 29-3 last season, return one of the most potent lineups in the state led by freshman center fielder/pitcher Ava Stevens, sophomore shortstop Taylor Rebhan, senior corner infielder Arlene Sordo and freshman second baseman Leilani Gonzalez. Eighth-grade catcher Brigitte Valdera should be one of the best backstops in the county and junior Kate Champion leads the outfield.
RARE MILESTONE
Coral Reef returns one of the most complete rosters of any team in South Florida. And while most of its key players are still underclassmen, the
Barracudas are led by a pair of seniors looking to achieve a rare distinction.
Senior infielder Rachel Hawkins (Furman signee) and centerfielder Brianna Perantoni (Rollins signee) have a chance to earn All-Dade first team honors for all four years of high school and are the top two players on a squad hoping to return to the state final four for the first time since 2018. Sophomores Chloe Junco and Brianna Fields add power to the Barracudas’ lineup.
Reef will also rely on three experienced arms in the pitching circle as the rotation of senior Aubrey Alonso and sophomores Erin Zambrano and Quin Wylie also return.
Coral Reef is the favorite to end a two-year regional title drought for Dade teams in Class 7A.
KEY DATES
Feb. 19: Regular season begins; April 4-6: Kissimmee Klassic; April 11-13: Junior Orange Bowl tournament; April 27: Regular season ends; April 29May 2: Districts; May 8: 4A-2A regional quarterfinals; May 9: 7A-5A regional quarterfinals; May 14: Regional semifinals;
May 17: Regional finals;
May 20-25: State championships at Clermont.
MORE TEAM OUTLOOKS
Westminster Christian (10-9-1, 3A regional semifinalist) will be coached by longtime assistant Nic Vasi, who takes over for Scott Doan, one of the winningest coaches in Dade history. Junior shortstop Giovanna Khoury and freshman pitcher Kaley Dyer, along with senior outfielder Dillon Lesman, lead the Warriors on the field.
Florida Christian (19-8, 2A regional finalist) returns senior shortstop Samantha Zelenka, an FIU commit, who will try to lead the Patriots to the state final four. Zelenka and senior first baseman Bri Cabrera, a Palm Beach Atlantic signee, lead Florida Christian at the plate while junior pitcher Serena
Gillen looks to anchor its pitching staff.
AIE Charter (12-17, 2A regional semifinalist) is one of the rising programs in South Florida and will look to take the next step with a deep squad led by senior pitcher Mia Gil, junior catcher Alexa Garofalo and senior utility player Alexa Torres.
St. Brendan (15-11-1, 4A regional semifinalist) returns a strong group that should have it back in the playoffs and in the hunt for a trip to state. Senior third baseman Marley Neilson and junior shortstop Madisyn Llerandi highlight that group.
Palmetto (12-11, 7A regional quarterfinalist) has a new coach in Jessika Fraga and will lean heavily on junior shortstop Grace Silberberg and sophomore pitcher Lauren Falls during what could be a bit of a rebuilding season.
Palmer Trinity (1110, 2A regional quarterfinalist) will again rely on freshman siblings Kinsey and Emmy Cerda to lead the way at the plate and in the pitching circle respectively. Sophomore first baseman Gina Pineda and junior catcher Mela Fajardo power the Falcons’ lineup while freshman newcomer Hailey Rodriguez will add speed.
Braddock (10-8 last season) returns versatile senior infielder/pitcher
Joy Vidal, who earned first team All-Dade honors last season after hitting .509. Juniors Melanie Tapanes, Braelen Cintron and Veronica De La Torre are other Bulldogs standouts.
Carrollton (8-7 last season) will be led again in the pitching circle by junior Madelyn Althage and at the plate by freshman catcher Grace Diez.
Miami Springs (17-4 last season) will be led by senior pitcher/outfielder Natalie Maestre, who went 17-2 with a 2.10 ERA last season, as well as sophomore shortstop Khrystine Gil and senior first baseman Arianna Navarro.
Ransom Everglades (8-7 last season) will count on senior catcher Sofi De La Torre at the top of the lineup and senior Tea Vallone in the pitching circle.
South Dade (10-10 last season) are led by freshmen Angelina Gonzalez and Ashley Guedes.
Somerset South Homestead (5-10 last season) will be led by junior catcher Brianna Vasallo and sophomore pitcher Sophia Garcia.
Miami Beach (10-11-1 last season) returns a strong core of juniors led by pitcher/first baseman Mallory McDonald and Maricela Mesarina.
Coral Gables will be led by senior shortstop Kiara Sanchez, sophomore catcher Lucia Rodenberg and juniors Gelina Richardson and Brianna Gonzalez.
Hialeah-Miami Lakes (3-11 last season) will be led by juniors Marya Hicks and Daniel Costeja, who each play shortstop and pitch.