Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Glades Day falls in semifinal, 5-0
VERO BEACH — Glades Day was never supposed to get here.
So while the Gators softball team was disappointed with Wednesday’s 5-0 opening-round Class 2A loss to two-time defending champion Aucilla Christian, players and coaches also expressed a whole lot of pride.
“Nobody believed in us, that we could make it this far,” Gators pitcher Jaylin Smith said. “I think we did really good as a team. … We believed in ourselves. Our coaches believed in us. So I think we did really good.”
Aucilla Christian pitchers Elizabeth Hightower and Abigail Morgan combined on a one-hitter with 14 strikeouts in a semifinal game that served as the opener for the 2017 FHSAA softball tournament to put the Warriors on the brink of a third straight state championship.
Sophomore slugger Emilee Perkins had the only hit for Glades Day (10-14), a clean single through the left side of the infield in the second inning. Only two other Gators players managed to get on base during Wednesday morning’s 2A semifinal. Senior Ginny Donn reached base on a walk and freshman catcher Olivia Esquivel reached on an error.
Glades Day’s offense had been on quite a roll before running into Aucilla’s 1-2 pitchers. The Gators had scored 42 runs in their previous five games leading up to the regional tournament, including a 7-4 win over Lake Worth Christian in the district title game.
“Teams were supposed to be killing us left and right for the last three games — districts, regionals, everything,” Gators coach Sherri Paez said. “We’ve been coming on strong. I think some nerves kicked in (today), but I think my pitcher threw a hell of a game.
“We didn’t get on the board (today), but I’m happy because this team is a very strong team.”
With 10 of 16 players coming back next year, the Gators just might have another chance to get back to the final four … and bring a few more believers along for the ride.