Cornerstone Charter outslugs Evangelical in wild FHSAA 2A softball semifinal

In a game that had everything from big rallies to controversial moments, the end of Tuesday's roller-coaster Class 1A girls softball semifinal between The Geneva School and Evangelical Christian Academy came down to one swing of the bat.

Freshman infielder Eden Bastian delivered a three-run double to win the game for Geneva 16-15, sending the Knights into the state finals for the second year in a row. A year ago the Ducks played in the championship game against Evangelical in another pinball-style game and lost 17-14.

Tuesday night's game at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood was just as much of a back-and-forth slugfest. Bastian went 4 for 5 with two doubles and six RBIs.

Geneva (16-4) led 12-8 going into the top of the seventh, but the Sentinels (16-9) hammered their way back to tie the game 12-12 and send it to extra innings. To make matters worse for Geneva, Evangelical scored three more runs in the top of the eighth, putting the pressure on the Knights.

Geneva head coach Jared Incinelli's message to the team was simple: Never give up.

"We know who we are. We're gonna fight ‘til the bitter end," he said.

His daughter, Chloe, started off the eighth inning with an RBI single to set the tone for the Knights game-winning four run rally.

"There was never a doubt in my mind that we had that last at-bat," Chloe said. "We were gonna get up there and we were gonna give everything we've got and see how it went."

In addition to Bastian's big night at the plate, Jazlyn Rodriguez had four hits and drove in five runs. Pitcher and leadoff hitter Dallas Esperas went 4-for-6 with triple, double and four runs scored. She went the distance on the mound, striking out seven.

Geneva returns to the state final Wednesday at 6 p.m. University Christian (16-4) of Jacksonville, which scored a 12-2 mercy-rule semifinal win against Schoolhouse Prep of Miami. It will be the sixth final since 2016 for UC. The Christians won a 2023 state title.

Incinelli said the key to victory in the championship game is sticking with what has made his team successful.

"Playing our game like we always do. Making plays, swinging the sticks, getting big hits when we need them. Be aggressive at the plate, and just doing what we do," said Incinelli.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 12:53 AM.