This powerhouse graduated its All-American pitcher. Can it continue its state title run?
Coral Springs Charter owns the longest state championship streak in the history of Broward County fast-pitch softball.
But will the Panthers extend it this season without All-American pitcher Ally Muraskin?
Charter graduated Muraskin, a Gatorade Player of the Year and UCF signee, but might have plenty left on the roster to make it four titles in a row, which would match Gulliver Prep for the longest streak in South Florida.
Charter finished last season 30-1 and ranked No. 5 nationally by MaxPreps.
"We have a real cohesive bunch that loves the game and wants another ring badly," Charter coach Mark Montimurro said. "They want to prove to the rest of the state that while [Muraskin] was phenomenal, we have some other solid pieces as well."
Although Muraskin is gone, senior pitcher Emily Estroff transferred in from Monarch and should ease the loss of their star hurler. Estroff struck out 122 batters last season and compiled a 2.09 ERA while hitting .467 at the plate to earn Miami Herald All-Broward honors.
All-County junior infielders Lindsey Garcia and Shannon Doherty are back as well as catcher Gianna Boccagno and outfielder Sara Berthiaume.
Charter figures to remain the favorite in Class 5A, but will have plenty of company in South Florida in the race for state championships.
Gulliver, which lost to Charter each of the past three seasons in the regional finals, figures to have its best shot at dethroning the Panthers this season.
The Raiders return a solid squad led by sophomore infielders Mekayla Frazier and Kaylee Rodriguez and senior catcher Cici Castillo.
American Heritage, which has won state titles every other year since 2012, could be due for another championship following a state runner-up finish last season.
Heritage is led by senior third baseman Hannah Sipos, a University of Florida signee, shortstop Katherine Rodriguez and senior outfielders Marisa Soterakis and Marley Felder.
St. Thomas Aquinas, which lost in the Class 8A state semifinals a year ago, returns pitchers Gabriella Nori and Kaitlyn King and top hitter Lauren Stansill.
Reigning Class 4A state champion Westminster Christian will have an excellent chance at winning the school’s fifth state title. The Warriors brought back its pitching duo of seniors Victoria Perez and Brooklyn Maguire.
And Palmetto should have plenty of hitting with junior infielder Lauren Margolis, sophomore infielder Katie Burge and senior outfielder Hannah Burge backing up senior ace Brittney Barczak in the circle.
SEASON OVERVIEW
KEY DATES
March 15-17: SlamFest tournament; April 5-7: Kissimmee Klassic; April 16-21: GMAC and BCAA tournaments; April 23-28: Districts; May 2: Regional quarterfinals (Classes 9A-5A); May 3: Regional quarterfinals (Classes 4A-1A); May 8: Regional semifinals (9A-5A); Finals (4A-1A); May 11: Regional finals (9A-5A); May 16-19: State final four at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.
2017 STATE CHAMPIONS
Class 9A: Winter Garden West Orange; 8A: Orange Park Oakleaf; 7A: Fort Myers; 6A: Land O’Lakes; 5A: Coral Springs Charter; 4A: Westminster Christian; 3A: Fort Pierce John Carroll; 2A: Canterbury; 1A: Union County.
TOP 5 TEAMS
Broward: 1. American Heritage; 2. Coral Springs Charter; 3. St. Thomas Aquinas; 4. Pembroke Pines Charter; 5. Douglas; Others: Cooper City, Western, Monarch.
Miami-Dade: 1. Gulliver; 2. Westminster Christian; 3. Palmetto; 4. Doral; 5. Coral Reef; Others: American, Coral Gables, Lourdes.
TOP RETURNING BROWARD PLAYERS
P: Emily Estroff, Coral Springs Charter, Sr.; Eliza Gonzalez, Pines Charter, Jr.; Julia Grobman, American Heritage, Jr.; Gabriella Nori, St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr.; Amelia Saviskas, American Heritage, Jr.; INF: Maddi Conner, Westminster Academy, Sr.; Shannon Doherty, Coral Springs Charter, Jr.; Lindsey Garcia, Coral Springs Charter, Jr.; Allison Kerce, Douglas, Sr.; Hannah Sipos, American Heritage, Sr.; C: Gianna Boccagno, Coral Springs Charter, Sr.; Jackie McKenna, Douglas, Sr.; OF: Sara Berthiaume, Coral Springs Charter, Jr.; Malerie Busha, Pines Charter, Jr.; Marley Felder, American Heritage, Sr.; Alyssa Laboy, Coral Springs Charter, Sr.; Marisa Soterakis, American Heritage, Sr.; Lauren Stansill, St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr.
TOP RETURNING MIAMI-DADE PLAYERS
P: Ashley Alfonso, American, Sr.; Brittney Barzcak, Palmetto, Sr.; Janelle Boyd, Coral Reef, Sr.; Brooklyn Maguire, Westminster Christian, Sr.; Sydney Pell, Coral Gables, So.; Victoria Perez, Westminster Christian, Sr.; Alyssa Soublette, St. Brendan, Sr.; INF: Carydad Bolivar, Braddock, Sr.; Angelina Bonilla, Coral Gables, So.; Katie Burge, Palmetto, So.; Janessa Casanas, Coral Reef, Jr.; Mekayla Frazier, Gulliver, So.; Nicole Gonzalez, Lourdes, Jr.; Lauren Margolis, Palmetto, Jr.; Kaylee Rodriguez, Gulliver, So.; Gabrielle Ruiz, Doral, Jr.; C: Cici Castillo, Gulliver, Sr.; OF: Hannah Burge, Palmetto, Sr.; Meghan Diaz, Westminster Christian, Jr.; Jenelle Figueroa, Doral, Jr.; Gigi Stouffer, Coral Reef, Jr.; Madison Wells, Keys Gate, Jr.
NOTE: For full team-by-team outlooks, please click on the web version of this story at www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/
BROWARD TEAM-BY-TEAM OUTLOOKS
CLASS 9A
DOUGLAS - Last year: Regional finalist. Top players: C-3B Jackie McKenna, Sr.; SS-2B Allison Kerce, Sr.; P-1B Gianna Lovito, Sr.; OF-1B Monique Poitevin, Jr.
WESTERN (Coach Jeffrey Poole, 4th year at WES, 9th overall, 97-76). Last year: 19-7 (Regional quarterfinalist). Top players: SS Karissa Bauzon, Sr.; 2B Bianca Cristafeiro, Jr.; P Jada Oleski, So.; CF Sydney Tedim, Jr.; 3B Courtney Monaco, Jr.; C Johanna Urso, Jr.
MONARCH (Coach Kenny Forbes, 2nd year, 18-9). Last year: 18-9 (Regional semifinalist). Top players: 2B-3B Emma Medina, Sr.; CF-1B Brooke Tobey, Sr.; SS Andrea Ordonez, Sr.; UT Adryannah English, So.; P-OF Cameron Engwiller, Jr.; UT McKenna McNulty, So.
CYPRESS BAY (Coach Lenny Shapiro, 16th year). Last year: 14-7. Top players: 3B-2B Stephania Arenas, So.; C-1B Jillian Kuntze, So.; P-INF Meagan Osmond, So.; P-INF Abby Ballard, Fr.; INF Josie Clancy, Jr.; OF Sammy Perez, So.
WEST BROWARD (Coach Greg Hodges, 9th year, 73-59). Last year: 6-12. Top players: C-INF Samantha Albert, Jr.; INF Kelly Drago, Jr.; OF JJ Rodriguez, Jr.; INF Kristen Hernandez, Jr.; OF Brittney Buckley, So.; P-OF Kayla Toscone, So.
CLASS 8A
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (Coach Bryan Baucom, 24th year). Last year: 21-10 (State semifinalist). Top players: P Gabriella Nori, Sr.; OF Lauren Stansell, Sr.; SS Meagan Patterson, Jr.; 2B Kristen Sacca, Jr.; P Kaitlin King, Jr.
COOPER CITY (Coach Phil Schmalz, 10th year, 174-83). Last year: 20-8 (Regional finalist). Top players: SS Brenna Lokeinsky, So.; P-2B Jasmin Herrera, Jr.; OF Michelle Adelman, Jr.; 1B Katherine Claros, Sr.; OF Beka Ehrenthal, Sr.; OF Kassandra Espinosa, Sr.
CLASS 7A
PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER (Coach Tom Fadul). Last year: Regional semifinalist. Top players: P Eliza Gonzalez, Jr.; OF Malerie Busha, Jr.; INF Maegan Calandra, Jr.
CLASS 6A
AMERICAN HERITAGE (Coach Marty Cooper, 14th year at AH, 26th overall, 576-143-1). Last year: 25-4 (State runner-up). Top players: 3B Hannah Sipos, Sr.; SS Katherine Rodriguez, Jr.; UT Marisa Soterakis, Sr.; UT Marley Felder, Sr.; P Amelia Saviskas, Jr.; P Julia Grobman, Jr.
CLASS 5A
CORAL SPRINGS CHARTER (Coach Mark Montimurro). Last year: State champions. Top players: P Emily Estroff, Sr.; INF Shannon Doherty, Jr.; INF Lindsey Garcia, Jr.; C Gianna Boccagno, Sr.; OF-INF Sara Berthiaume, Jr.; OF Alyssa Laboy, Sr.; INF Tatianna Luersen, Jr.
CLASS 4A
WESTMINSTER ACADEMY (Coach Casey Jarvis, 9th year, 94-71). Last year: 8-11 (Regional semifinalist). Top players: C-INF Maddi Conner, Sr.; INF-P Emma Hoffman, So.; INF Carolina Austin, Fr.
MIAMI-DADE TEAM-BY-TEAM OUTLOOKS
CLASS 9A
PALMETTO (Coach Emilio Exposito, 7th year). Last year: 30-3 (State semifinalist). Top players: 1B-3B Lauren Margolis, Jr.; P Brittney Barczak, Sr.; 2B-SS Katie Burge, So.; OF Hannah Burge, Sr.; SS-2B Kiley Kross, Sr.
CORAL GABLES (Coach Natalie de la Vega, 12th year). Last year: Regional finalist. Top players: P-INF Angelina Bonilla, So.; SS-2B Gabrielle Cutie, Sr.; C Ashley Knapp, Sr.; OF Rebecca Rodriguez, Jr.; P-1B Sydney Pell, So.
CORAL REEF (Coach Dario Rodriguez, 6th year, 108-37). Last year: 17-10 (Regional semifinalist). Top players: P-OF Gabriela "Gigi" Stauffer, Jr.; P-OF Janelle Boyd, Sr.; INF Janessa Casanas, Jr.; INF Jenice Casanas, Jr.; INF Katerina Boix, Sr.; INF Melissa Leon, So.
LOURDES (Coach Jose Estevez, 3rd year at BR, 8th overall, 106-67). Last year: 18-10 (Regional quarterfinalist). Top players: SS Nicole Gonzalez, Jr.; P-1B Nora Zubillaga, Jr.; 3B Stephanie Iglesias, Sr.; P-OF Jack Lorente, Sr.; C-OF Gianna Delandaburu, Jr.; C-OF Catherine Ullivari, Jr.
BRADDOCK (Coach Addy Marcote, 28th year, 373-255-4). Last year: 9-11. Top players: 1B-P Carydad Bolivar, Sr.; C-SS Nicole Caldera, Sr.; OF Natalie Rego, Sr.
SOUTHRIDGE (Coach Michelle Cerda, 10th year at SR, 15th overall). Last year: 11-11. Top players: P Casilyn Fraga, Jr.; SS Jayliah Bivens, So.; 3B Maya Tabb, Fr.; OF Elizabeth Valdes, Fr.
HIALEAH (Coach Giovanni Quintero, 5th year, 38-34). Last year: 13-7 (Regional quarterfinalist). Top players: SS J.D. Barrio, So.; C Kimbu Lopez, Sr.; OF-P Katherine Correa, Sr.; SS-2B Sabrina Heres, Sr.; 1B-P Dayana Gonzalez, Sr.; C-RF Samantha Pham, Fr.
MIAMI BEACH (Coach Peter Kraus, 2nd year, 9-9). Last year: 9-9. Top players: SS Ana Demetriades, So.; 1B Yennifer Cruz, Sr.; CF Emily Garay, Jr.
VARELA (Coach Enrique Melo, 2nd year, 3-11). Last year: 3-11. Top players: P-2B-SS Daniella Alzate, So.; P-SS-C Rachel Arevalo, Fr.; 3B-SS Angelina Padron, Jr.; C-SS-LF Gabriela Valenzuela, So.; CF Aaliyah Valdes, So.; 2B Isabella Fadhel, Jr.
KILLIAN (Coach Otto Williams, 3rd year at KIL, 6th overall, 15-23). Last year: 11-10. Top players: SS Rachel Cardenas, Jr.; 2B Crystal Abreu, Sr.
CLASS 7A
DORAL (Coach Willie Viruet, 1st year). Last year: Regional finalist. Top players: INF-P Gabriela Ruiz, Jr.; OF Janelle Figueroa, Jr.; INF-P Cassandra Machado, Fr.; INF-OF Brianna Muniz, Jr.; C-INF Amanda Ramirez, Fr.
TERRA (Coach Gus Ramirez, 2nd year at TER, 11th overall). Last year: 11-7 (Regional quarterfinalist). Top players: P Veronnica Sanchez, Sr.; P Gabriela Berger, Sr.; CF Michelle Arellano, Sr.
CLASS 6A
GOLEMAN (Coach Orlando Barreda, 11th year, 169-60). Last year: 20-5 (Regional quarterfinalist). Top players: P Denise Hernandez, Sr.; UT Bianca Soto, Jr.; INF Adriana Bueno, Sr.; C Engymar Jarquin, So.
CLASS 5A
GULLIVER (Coach Mark Schusterman, 33rd year, 694-202). Last year: Regional finalist. Top players: 2B-OF Mekayla Frazier, So.; SS Kaylee Rodriguez, So.; C-3B Cici Castillo, Sr.; P-1B Hailey Miller, Jr.; 1B Courtney Carroll, Jr.; OF Elizabeth Gabriele, So.
KEYS GATE (Coach Amanda Lara, 3rd year, 37-20). Last year: 14-12. Top players: P-SS-CF Madison Wells, Jr.; P-SS-CF Erin McGlothlin, Fr.; 2B-SS-UT Janessa Benavides, Fr.
ST. BRENDAN (Coach Angel Torres, 2nd year at StB, 8th year overall, 94-41). Last year: 14-12 (Regional semifinalist). Top players: P Alyssa Soublette, Sr.; C Alexis Pozo, Jr.; SS Amanda Diez, Fr.; SS Paulina Rodriguez, Fr.; 1B Caitlyn Haag, So.; P Hailey Linfors, Fr.; 3B Fabiana Napolitano, Fr.
MONSIGNOR PACE (Coach Alexis Nieto, 2nd year, 11-9). Last year: 11-9. Top players: C Kathleen Rios, Sr.; P Savannah Sanchez, Jr.
RANSOM EVERGLADES (Coach Melissa Dusharm, 2nd year, 7-7). Last year: 7-7. Top players: P Gaby Jadotte, Sr.; SS Tiffany McBrayer, Sr.; OF Abby Sekoff, So.; C Yasmina Haddad, So.; 1B Vicky Muller, So.
CLASS 4A
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN (Coach Scott Doan, 14th year at WC, 27th overall, 610-158). Last year: 26-5 (State champions). Top players: P-INF Brooklyn Maguire, Sr.; P-INF Victoria Perez, Sr.; OF Meghan Diaz, Jr.; INF Dani Amador, Sr.; INF Hailey Donovan, Fr.
INDEPENDENTS
COLONIAL CHRISTIAN (Coach Lou Martinez, 10th year). Last year: 14-4 (Regional semifinalist). Top players: C-SS Morgan Wells, So.; P Ariana Long, So.
LA SALLE (Coach Rick Hernandez, 4th year). Last year: 15-3. Top players: SS-C-OF Kimberly Montesi, Sr.; 3B-OF Olivia Melchiode, Jr.; C-3B Beatriz Triay, Sr.; P Yasmin Regueria, So.; 2B-P Laura Sardinas, Sr.; RF-1B Alex Tsotsos, So.
MIAMI COUNTRY DAY (Coach Chris Antonopoulos, 18th year at MCD, 300th overall, 168-107). Last year: 8-5. Top players: P Michelle Yakobi, Sr.; 1B Isabella Allen, Jr.; INF Alicia Kelly, Jr.; C Saarah Rassif, Fr.; 3B-C Tatiana Barnes, So.
PALMER TRINITY (Coach Jennifer Cerda, 4th year at PT, 10th overall). Last year: 3-12. Top players: P Victoria Torres, Jr.; INF Allison Galgano, Sr.; INF-C Caroline Zameck, 8th; INF-C Bridget Haller, 7th; UTL Megan Keller, Fr.; UTL Attie Crews, Fr.
SLAM (Coach Carlos Veclana, 2nd year). Last year: 1-17. Top players: 2B Jailene Garcia, Sr.; SS Marta Franco, So.
NOTE: Schools not listed did not return outlook forms to the Miami Herald.
This story was originally published February 19, 2018 at 9:05 PM with the headline "This powerhouse graduated its All-American pitcher. Can it continue its state title run?."