Both teams favored in revised districts

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

New districts will cause local softball teams to take different paths toward the state tournament than previously, but several teams have high post-season aspirations.

Harmony reached the Class 4A state tournament last year. This season it elevates to the new 7A District 6 against rival St. Cloud, Celebration and Oak Ridge.

Osceola, a regional semifinalist in Class 5A last season, moves to 7A District 6 where it bumps into Central Florida power Clermont East Ridge, new program Lake Minneola and local rivals Gateway, Poinciana and Liberty.

Harmony

The Lady Longhorns came within one game of winning the state softball championship last season, and although several starters from that team graduated and a new coach is in place, the expectations remain high.

Mike Clark, who led St. Cloud to the 1998 state tournament, takes over a program that has been one of the most successful in Central Florida since its inception seven years ago.

“You have to give credit to the previous coaching staff and to Coach (Ralph) King for doing a good job of building the program,” Clark said. “When I watched them play last season, the girls played hard and pulled for each other.”

Clark said that an important aspect of this Harmony team is that commaraderie.

“These girls get along. They support each other, they want to see their teammates succeed,” Clark said.

Returning is Osceola News-Gazette Player of the Year Lauren Harris, a junior pitcher/outfielder (11-3, 1.83 ERA; .411 BA), who carried Harmony through the regional playoffs after teammate Breann Vanderzyl (8-5, 1.81 ERA; .303 BA), the team’s other starting pitcher, was injured in an auto accident.

“Lauren is an outstanding player. She deserves the accolades you hear about her,” Clark said.

Junior outfielder/catcher Madison Nichols returns, along with junior first baseman Brianne Kimura, senior third baseman Jodi Nestle, junior second baseman Emily Fiorelli, sophomore pitcher Molly Baker, junior outfielder Kaitlyn Burroughs and sophomore shortstop Aleisha Ocasio.

Vanderzyl, who suffered leg and torso injuries in a near fatal auto accident in April, has seen her recovery slowed, Clark said, and will miss the early part of the season.

“We’re hopeful that later in the season and for the playoffs she will be a big contributor for us,” Clark said.

Among the newcomers are freshmen Brooke Harris, Lauren’s sister, and outfielder Lilly Mann.

Seniors Natasha Estremera, Laura Lufti and Dakota McCoy all will contribute, Clark said.

Several promising players are on the JV squad, Clark said, including Mikeila Bush, Courtney King, Paige Wright and Taylor Soltys.

Clark said the team is capable of making another deep run in the regional playoffs.

“I think there is a great deal of talent on this team, and the girls are working hard. There are great leaders on this team and I’ve talked to them about that responsibility, and they are willing to accept it,” Clark said.

Harmony is 2-0.

St. Cloud

New Coach Ray Whobrey calls this a rebuilding season, with only one senior on the roster, but the Lady Bulldogs should be contenders for a regional playoff spot in district 7A-6.

Maddie Roberts, the team’s senior and a captain, will pitch, play shortstop and the outfield.

Varsity lettermen Lacey Makinson (catcher, outfield),  co-captain Kelly Johnson (outfield), Breanna Benge (pitcher, outfielder) and Brittany Gilbert (pitcher, outfield) all are juniors.

The sophomores include Brianna Kuzara (first base), Emma Wells (pitcher), KaDeisha McCowen (shortstop, outfield), Emily Blackmore (second base) and Shina Hunsicker (outfield, catcher).

Whobrey sees an influx of new talent in freshmen Audrey Wentzell (third base), Perla De Valle (first base, outfield) and Lisa Poon (catcher, outfield).

Hillary Burrows is the assistant coach.

“We’re looking forward to the season,” Whobrey said. “We will be focusing heavily on defense this year and hope to be able to manufacture some runs to win games.”

Osceola

The Lady Kowboys, who reached the regional semifinal round last season, will regroup after losing four players who signed college scholarships.

“This is probably the youngest bunch we’ve had here in a while, but we’ve still got some good ones,” Coach George Coffey said.

Several of last year’s starters return, including outfielder Jessica Callahan and pitchers Kenya Pereira and Morgan Crapo, all juniors.

Sophomores Chantell Crockett and Aisya Dennis also return. All hit over .300 last season. Crockett and Callahan were among the team leaders with 23 RBIs.

Pereira posted a 7-2 record and 1.46 ERA on the mound, and Crapo was effective at 5-0 with a 1.21 ERA.

Coffey expects juniors Noemi Chavez and Patricia Ortiz, both juniors, to contribute this season along with freshman Kali Jones, a switch hitter with good speed.

Coffey said a key to his team’s success in new district 7A-6 will be how quickly it pulls things together.

“With so many new players, how fast we mature and jell will determine how successful we will be,” Coffey said.

Oceola’s district rivals include East Ridge, a Lake County power, and new program Lake Minneola.

OHS beat East Ridge in the preseason classic and is 2-0 in the regular season.

Poinciana

Coach Lauren Valle returns to the Eagles program which is beginning to show the results of the efforts that Valle and her staff have made.

“We’re trying to get our girls more involved and dedicated to the sport by going to camps, playing other sports and staying fit,” she said. “For the first time in a long time, we will have a junior varsity and a varsity.”

Valle’s squad will be led by a group of veterans like seniors Tamara Cruz and Jessica Lella and junior Yanira Zeno.

Lella is beginning her fourth season behind the plate and “will be the eyes of the team,” Valle said.

Liberty

The Chargers may field their best team under Coach Timothy Burdette.

Seniors Abby Morrero, Damaris Urena, Valeria Villafane and returning players Dalia Villafane, Kassandra Tabares, Samantha Sviridoff and Jay Rivas form a solid base.

“The veterans are going to be accompanied by a long list of new talent,” Burdette said.

Celebration

Chris Lavoie, the school’s athletic director, takes over as the softball coach after Ed Kuzma stepped down after eight seasons.

Lavoie will build the team around core players Mattie White, a sophomore pitcher; catcher Sarah Stellwag, outfielder Peyton Lamke, shortstop Kylie Jenson and outfielder Krisma Colon.

Also expected to contribute are Brittany Moore, Le Charles, Francis Ramos, Taylor Berg, Mattie Emerson, Karen Alvarez, Faith Dennis and Johanna Naranjo.

Gateway

Coach Rachel Kilbert’s roster includes seniors Kayla Murillo and Lynn Garcia; juniors Jacqueline Gomez, Yoman Martinez, Cindy Ayala, Jamie Olivo and Brittany Santos; sophomores Barbara Devaile, Keonna Milien and pitcher Selena Torres; and freshmen Justice Long and Tempest Morris.