Palmetto rolls past Southwest in regional softball
Palmetto (26-4) scored 10 runs in the fourth inning to defeat Southwest (9-6) 15-0 in the Region 4-9A quarterfinal Wednesday at Palmetto Bay Park. The Panthers are now 26-4 and undefeated in Miami-Dade County.
“We came up flat in the beginning, but we turned it up late,” Palmetto coach Emilio Exposito said. “Brittney was outstanding in the circle, throwing strikes and taking control of the game.”
Palmetto pitcher Brittney Barczak struck out the first nine batters she faced before giving up a single to lead off the fourth.
Hannah Berge started the fourth inning with a lead-off single. Lauren Margolis brought her home with an RBI double. Tatum Rodriguez scored two runs with a single and Katie Berge drove in two runs with a double.
DARREN COLLETTE
▪ Region 4-9A quarterfinal — Coral Reef 14, Lourdes 2: Three Coral Reef (17-11) batters hit home runs to help the Barracudas gain a victory over Lourdes (21-7) at Palmetto Bay Park.
"I thought we really came together and played as a team" pitcher Janelle Boyd said. "We'll need to hit like we did tonight to beat Palmetto."
Jenise Casanas hit the first Reef home run in the second to score two runs. Katerina Boix delivered the second home run in the fourth scoring three runs. Kira Boyer had the third Barracudas home run. in the fifth which scored three runs.
Coral Reef will next face Palmetto in the regional semifinals on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the regional semifinal.
DARREN COLLETTE
▪ Region 4-6A quarterfinal — Miami Springs 1, Archbishop McCarthy 0: A seemingly harmless unearned run in the second inning was the lone score as host Miami Springs nipped Archbishop McCarthy.
Springs pitcher Mallory Mitnick shut down the Mavericks (11-11), holding them to two hits while striking out seven.
The only run of the night came when Springs’ Amanda Hernandez drew a one-out walk, stole second and went to third on a passed ball. McCarthy’s Natalie Romero, who pitched a two-hitter herself, struck out Olivia Rojas but the ball went to the backstop allowing Hernandez to score.
Springs (23-2) will next take on Plantation American Heritage in a regional semifinal Tuesday at 7 p.m.
BILL DALEY
▪ Region 3-9A quarterfinal — Western 5, Douglas 4: Sydney Tedim’s RBI double with two outs in the ninth inning scored Madison Bradshaw from third base in Western’s come-from-behind victory over host Douglas.
The Wildcats (18-7) will next play the Cypress Bay in a regional semifinal on Tuesday.
Western is seeking a return to the state tournament for the first time since losing in the state semifinals in 2016.
“That was the vibe I wanted to bring to the team,” Tedim said about her game-winning hit. “I kept believing in myself and believing in our team, and I knew we could do it.”
The junior center fielder was 4 for 6 two RBI and three stolen bases to lead the Wildcats, who finished the afternoon with 17 hits.
“Tedim has done a lot for us all year long,” Western coach Jeff Poole said. “She is an all-purpose player that can do everything, and she showed that today.”
Douglas (17-6) jumped to a 3-0 lead with three runs in the second inning, keyed by a pair of RBI singles from Samantha Gedrin and Monique Poitevin.
Trailing 3-1 in the top of the fourth, Western tied the score on a Tedim RBI single and run. They took a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh on a RBI single by Emma Vayne.
DAVE BROUSSEAU
This story was originally published May 2, 2018 at 10:44 PM with the headline "Palmetto rolls past Southwest in regional softball."