Ortega leads Pines Charter back to state; Doral, Western, Schoolhouse advance
Pembroke Pines Charter used to be a regular at the state softball final four.
The Jaguars have been working to regain the form that once led to them winning three state championships.
After a five-year absence, Pines Charter is headed back.
Junior pitcher Destiney Ortega struck out 13, walked one and allowed two hits to lead the Jaguars (21-8) to their first appearance at the state final four since 2021. Brielle Martinez drove in Aleena Fonseca with Pines Charter’s lone run in the sixth inning. Fonseca finished with a double and two hits overall.
Pines Charter will try to claim its first state championship since 2018. The Jaguars are projected to face Winter Springs next Friday at 11:30 a.m. in a 5A semifinal at Soldiers Park in Longwood.
MORE RESULTS
Region 4-7A final - Western 3, Coral Reef 1: Kylie Diaz homered, Analie Diaz walked and scored a run and Izzy Baron drove in another on a sacrifice fly as part of a three-run second inning that rallied the Wildcats (23-5) and propelled them back to the state final four for the third consecutive season.
Chayanne Chaffin struck out 12 and overcame a rough first inning in which she gave up her lone run. Chaffin walked four and allowed five hits over seven innings.
Western is aiming to win its second state title in the past three seasons, and will take on Clermont East Ridge in a state semifinal on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Soldiers Park in Longwood.
Coral Reef’s Chloe Junco had an RBI double in that first inning and finished with two hits to lead the Barracudas (19-6-1).
Region 4-7A semifinal - Western 9, West Broward 0: Chaffin struck out four and allowed three hits and two walks over seven innings against her former school. She also had a two-run single. Analie Diaz had two hits, including a home run, and three RBI. Kylie Diaz, Katarina Kuma, Hanna Turner and Ally Cline each had an RBI.
Region 4-6A final - Doral 12, Cooper City 0 (5): Freshman Camila Diaz struck out 10 and walked three during a five-inning no-hitter, which led the Firebirds (26-2) back to the state semifinals for the sixth consecutive season. Melanie Sweet had three hits, including a double and a triple, and three RBI. Anabela Abdullah hit a two-run home run and Ashley Tremont had a two-run single.
Doral will face either Navarre or Parrish Community School next Friday at 1 at Soldiers Park in Longwood.
Region 4-4A semifinal - American Heritage 10, Okeechobee 1: Isabella Benton had two doubles and three RBI to lead the Patriots (16-4) while Lyric Rodriguez had three hits, including a double, and an RBI. Samantha Santana also had three hits. Adrianna Layne had two hits, including a triple, and an RBI.
Region 4-1A final - Schoolhouse Prep 10, Miami Christian 2: Danyela Mandujano had three and four RBI to lead the Wolfpack (16-11) to the victory and help them clinch their first appearance at the state final four. Romina Sotelo hit a two-run double and Michelle Dominguez hit a two-run single. Analys Uriarte pitched a complete game, allowing one earned run on seven hits and two walks with one strikeout.
Schoolhouse will face either Casselberry Geneva or Jacksonville University Christian on Tuesday in a state semifinal at 4:30 at Soldiers Park in Longwood.
