8th grader pitches Cornerstone to FHSAA 2A softball state semifinal win

Junior centerfielder Emma Pynes got everything started for Cornerstone Charter with a two-run home run in the third inning of Wednesday's FHSAA Class 2A softball state semifinal. And eighth grade pitcher Izzy Choquette took care of the rest with a sterling pitching performance in the Ducks 3-1 victory over North Bay Haven Academy at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.

Choquette pitched a two-hitter with 13 strikeouts and extinguished almost every opportunity the Buccaneers (21-6) could manage.

Cornerstone was flawless in the field with no errors.

"Being an eighth grader I felt a little pressure before the game," Choquette said. "But I knew my defense had my back. We all know we can win the whole thing. We want to go out there and bring it home."

Home is not far away Cornerstone (23-5), a small Orange County school in Belle Isle, The Ducks are scheduled to play top seed Oxbridge Academy (23-3) of West Palm Beach, which won its morning semifinal 5-1 against the No. 1 seed, Calvary Christian of Clearwater.

Choquette is lined up to again get the pitching start.

"It's going to be Izzy's game again. Until she's done," Cornerstone pitching coach Danielle Lobozzo said. "She's the kid that's going to push through every single time. And Emma (Pynes) is always ready to go if we need her to pitch."

Pynes came close to homering in her first at bat with a drive that was caught near the fence. On her second at bat, on a 3-2 count, she ripped a shot that cleared the fence by a long shot. It was her ninth homer of the year.

"I thought the first one was going out, but the wind got it," she said. "I was looking for a good pitch to hit on my second bat and I turned on it. I knew that one was gone."

Pynes helped generate Cornerstone's third score by drawing a walk and stealing second base to lead off the top of the sixth inning. She scored on a single by senior catcher Kenzie Boisvert, who went 2-for-4.

Bay Haven pitcher Addison Mallon struck out nine and gave up only four hits - including a single by Cornerstone's Yamilette Cordova that set the table for Pynes’ two-run home run.

Bay Haven, also a charter school, scored its lone run in the bottom of the sixth. Mallon opened the inning with a single into centerfield to break up Choquette's bid for a no-hitter. After a fly out, Bay Haven's Kenzie Goff bounced a deep double off the fence for the RBI. That brought Cornerstone pitching coach Danielle Lobozzo to the circle for a time out conference with her young pitcher.

With the ball back in her hand Choquette came through - striking the next two batters out to strand Goff at second.

Choquette stayed poised in the seventh. She walked a batter with one out, but closed the inning out in style.

"She's amazing. Nothing fazes her," Ducks head coach Dan Lobozzo (Danielle's father) said of Choquette.

Cornerstone was only the third seed in its district behind Montverde Academy and The First Academy. The Ducks lost a district semifinal against TFA, but bounced back to win its three region games - including an extra-inning road game at Montverde.

"We've got to be in the strongest district and region in the state, any class," Dan Lobozzo said. "It's a long season and we hit a little lull. But they've been ready since the region tournament. They want this."

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 4:23 PM.