Which teams could restart Broward softball’s state title streak? A look at the contenders
For the first time in a decade, Broward County was shut out of the softball state championships last season.
Not including the canceled 2020 state series, 2021 marked the first time since 2011 that Broward County did not win at least one state title in softball. Five schools combined for 15 titles in that eight-year span from 2012-2019.
With a new season on the horizon, these are the teams, sorted by classification, that have the chance to restart the county’s state championship winning streak.
Class 7A
The Western Wildcats, state title winners in 2017, went 14-9 last season before falling to Palmetto in the regional final. Western returns all five of its hitters who posted at least a .333 batting average last season: senior Avery Olson (.446 average, 26 runs scored, 26 RBI, 11 extra-base hits), senior Melanie Carr (.379 average, 20 RBI, 19 runs scored), sophomore Alana Cypress (.369 average, 23 runs scored), senior Meagan Ramos (.344 average, 20 RBI, 18 runs scored) and senior Emily Testa (.333 average).
The Wildcats will need to reload in the circle after graduating ace Alyssa Solok, who pitched 100 2/3 of their 124 innings last season. Sophomore Emma Mosher is the only other pitcher who saw action last season, pitching to a 3.30 ERA with 28 strikeouts against 18 walks over 23 1/3 innings in seven appearances (four starts).
West Broward, which lost to Western in the regional semifinals, returns its top hitter from last year in junior Alexis DiFato (.468 batting average, 22 runs scored) but will need to replace a pair of two-way standouts in Victoria Navarro and Kylee Graham, who handled all of the team’s pitching duties while also combining to hit .400 with 32 RBI and 18 doubles.
Class 6A
Cooper City, which won its only state title in 2009, is Broward’s top team in Class 6A. The Cowgirls have a senior-laden roster. Two-way player Jordyn Hustey led the team last year with five home runs and 23 RBI at the plate while going 18-1 with a 1.52 ERA as a pitcher. Kirsten Caravaca had a team-high 12 doubles. And Bianca Polistina scored a team-high 26 runs.
But Cooper City — and the other nine Broward County teams in the classification — has a big challenge in its region in defending champion Doral Academy. Getting past them in the playoffs will prove to be the biggest test.
Elsewhere in the county:
▪ St. Thomas Aquinas returns six starters from last year and looks to rebound from a 7-12 season.
▪ South Plantation will need to replace the production of three seniors — pitcher Ali Blondin, infielder Grace Sobeck and outfielder Elizabeth Tucker. Outfielder Serena Holder, who hit .444 with 15 RBI and 21 runs scored last season, will carry the bulk of the load.
Class 5A
Pembroke Pines Charter, state winners in 2012, 2014 and 2018, made it to the regional final last year where it lost to eventual state champion Fort Myers. Their top two returning hitters are juniors: catcher Alanah Velazquez (.423 batting average, eight doubles, 17 RBI) and outfielder Megan Rasmussen (.391 average, 12 runs scored).
Class 4A
Plantation American Heritage was one of two Broward teams that reached the state semifinals last year only to fall short.
But the Patriots are once again loaded and should be able to make another deep playoff run and potentially win their ninth state title.
Junior Emily Legette, a Virginia Tech commit, hit a blistering .576 with seven home runs, 11 doubles, 23 RBI and 29 runs scored a year ago to pace American Heritage’s offense. Other top hitters returning include senior Brooke Febles (.352 average, 21 runs scored) and junior Morgan Laidler (.321 average, 12 RBI). Senior pitcher Marissa Thompson, who posted a 2.21 ERA in 19 appearances (16 starts) last year, will once again lead the Patriots’ staff.
Pompano Beach, which went 16-6 last year and made it to the regional final, will be led by a pair of junior two-way standouts: McKenzie Jewell (.485 average, 24 RBI, 22 runs scored eight home runs as a hitter; 4-2, 1.40 ERA as a pitcher in 2021) and Sammy Murphy (.477 average, 16 RBI, 21 runs scored as a hitter; 7-3, 2.02 ERA as a pitcher in 2021).
Class 3A
Coral Springs Charter, which won five consecutive state titles from 2015-2019, went 21-4 before losing to Oxbridge Academy in the regional semifinals.
But the Panthers return several key pieces from last year, arguably none more vital than two-way senior Brianna Godfrey who hit .585 with nine doubles, two home runs, 27 RBI and 24 runs scored while also going 19-4 with a 0.35 ERA and seven shutouts as a pitcher.
Freshman Christina D’agostino as well as juniors Julia Estroff and Isabella Bertorelli will be key in the lineup this year as well.
Class 2A
Westminster Academy, which won its lone state softball title in 1999, made a run to the state semifinals last year before falling to eventual state champion Canterbury.
The Lions return four of their top six hitters from last season, with senior Kamryn Casey (.500 average, six doubles, nine triples, 24 RBI, 41 runs scored) and freshman Dianna Montidoro (.483 average, 30 RBI, 36 runs scored) leading the way.
.JPG)