By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

After helping their teams earn important playoff victories Wednesday evening, Harmony High softball pitcher Breann Vanderzyl and baseball pitcher A.J. Stevens, both juniors, were injured in an auto accident on U.S. Highway 192, just outside of the Harmony campus.

Vanderzyl was scheduled to undergo surgery for a broken leg at the Orlando Regional Medical Center Thursday.  Stevens suffered a concussion and is under observation for  injuries to his sternum, Harmony Athletic Director Chuck Hitt said.

Vanderzyl pitched three innings and scored two runs during Harmony's 11-4 softball victory against defending state champion Dunnellon in a Class 4A regional quarterfinal game at the Longhorns' field.

The softball game was delayed 30 minutes because lightning and rain in the sixth inning.

Harmony will host Tavares, a 3-2 winner over Belleview, Friday at 7 p.m. in the regional semifinal round. The winner Friday advances to the regional finals Tuesday.

At the softball game, catcher Payton Dering had a two-run double in the first inning and third baseman Jodi Nestle followed with a three-run double later in the inning to boost the Lady Longhorns, 19-7, to a 7-0 lead. Vanderzyl and Lauren Harris teamed on the mound to stop Dunnellon.

At the baseball game, Stevens struck out 10 and had two hits, including an RBI double, to help the Longhorns beat Tavares, 5-3, to advance to the 4A-7 district championship game Friday at 7 p.m. at St. Cloud High. Harmony will play Eustis for the championship. Both teams will advance to the regional playoffs next week.

Hitt said the injuries to Vanderzyl and Stevens will not impact the starting time or location of Friday's playoff games.

Harmony lost at the District 8 flag football championship game, 25-6, against Dr. Phillips, Wednesday.