Waggoner, Viera again too much for Seminole Ridge

The Seminole Ridge softball team appeared to have momentum after winning a second consecutive district championship and with another opportunity to host an opening-round playoff game.

But the season came to an abrupt end as it fell 9-0 to Viera in a Class 6A regional quarterfinal Thursday night.

Seminole Ridge (15-10) had won three straight games and five of its past six entering the playoffs.

Seminole Ridge defeated Dwyer 3-1 in the district semifinal and captured the district championship with a 4-0 victory against Olympic Heights.

Viera (13-9) had also defeated Seminole Ridge 3-0 in the regional quarterfinal last season. Viera pitcher Skylar Waggoner, a Jacksonville commit, tossed a shutout for the second consecutive season against Seminole Ridge in the playoffs.

“We were looking to move one step further and we didn’t quite get there,” Seminole Ridge coach Candace Horton said. “It just wasn’t our night.

“We have been fantastic defensively and we kind of let it snowball. I think we let last year get in our heads a little bit. Next year we are coming for it.”

Seminole Ridge, which graduated five seniors from last year’s team, did not have any seniors on the roster this season.

“Our three juniors have stepped up to fill that leadership role to bring the girls along,” Horton said. “We are very young. It shows the hard work the girls put in learning to play for each other.”

Seminole Ridge recorded two hits and had just three baserunners while also committing three errors on defense in the loss.

Viera jumped out to the lead with a three-run third inning as it capitalized on mistakes by the Seminole Ridge defense.

Viera had runners at second and third with one out. After a ground ball to third, the throw to first sailed down the line, allowing both runners to score. Viera added another run on an error after a high throw to first base was dropped.