Broward softball preview: Coral Springs Charter seeking return to state championships
It’s been five years since Coral Springs Charter won a state championship in softball.
And that drought must seem like an eternity for a team that right before that won five consecutive state titles.
The Panthers are hoping this is the year the trend reverses in their favor.
Coral Springs Charter, which put together the longest run of consecutive state championships in state history by a softball program from South Florida from 2015 to 2019, returns a lineup replete with Division-I recruits.
But Charter will face two challenges on a potential road back to state.
One is the loss to injury of junior ace Sophia Bertorelli, the Miami Herald’s 5A-2A Pitcher of the Year, who won 17 games last year, struck out 199 and compiled an 0.54 ERA.
Coral Springs Charter coach Mark Montimurro thinks Bertorelli will be back for the postseason, but in the meantime the Panthers will depend largely on freshman Courtney Wahlbrink in the pitching circle.
The other challenge is defending Class 3A state runner-up Somerset Silver Palms, which ousted the Panthers from the playoffs in the regional finals last season, and returns most of its roster intact.
“We have a very solid team overall returning most of the roster that went 25-1-2 last year,” Montimurro said. “Sadly we will be without Sophia, and Courtney will be thrust into the limelight to help continue the tradition of success we’ve got going. She is very capable and will have to dominate if we’re to reach our ultimate goal.
Wahlbrink will be backed up by one of the most potent lineups in the state.
Junior second baseman Addi Michel, a Boston University commit, leads the group along with junior third baseman Heather Robertson. Senior catcher Stephanie Basso, the MVP of last year’s Big 8 tournament and Coastal Carolina commit, is also back as is senior outfielder Kate Maston, a Florida Gulf Coast commit, senior outfielder Alivia Taibl, a Stetson commit, and senior infielder Kayliegh Cuccia, a Pensacola State commit.
But the biggest addition was already on Coral Springs Charter’s roster.
The Panthers get sophomore catcher/third baseman Gio Gurgel back after she missed all of last season with a knee injury.
“She is one of the most prolific hitters in South Florida and we’re counting on her to have a monster season,” Montimurro said.
REDEMPTION YEAR
Western is coming off a season of high expectations that ended in disappointing fashion with a 2-1 loss to Boca Raton Spanish River in the Class 7A regional quarterfinals.
The Wildcats’ roster is loaded once again with seven seniors and several players already committed to colleges. Western hopes to return to the state final four, which would mark its third trip since winning a state championship in 2018.
Senior outfielders Arlette Caravaca (Iowa commit) and Alana Cypress (Bethune Cookman commit) lead a potent lineup along with senior third baseman Jade Castillo (Austin Peay State commit) and junior shortstop Danae Falquez (Florida Gulf Coast commit), a transfer from Nova. Junior pitcher Ali Solo, who went 17-4 last year with 2.03 ERA, will likely set the tone for the team’s success.
SLEEPER TEAMS
Two teams that could make noise in their respective classifications figure to be West Broward in Class 7A and Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy in Class 4A.
West Broward returns one of the county’s top pitchers in senior Gabrielle Cruz and will be complemented by a strong lineup led by junior infielder Alivia Artanis and junior corner infielder/catcher Victoria Hardy.
Somerset went 11-12 last season against a tough schedule and advanced to the regional semifinals. Coach Amanda Lopez’s squad will be led by freshman shortstop Victoria Carmona, sophomore outfielder Leah Rutherford, a transfer from Pines Charter, and a strong core of sophomores: Caitlyn Diaz, Katie Bailey, Keira Carbone, Amber Munoz and Emily Munoz.
KEY DATES
Feb. 19: Regular season begins; April 4-6: Kissimmee Klassic; April 11-13: Junior Orange Bowl tournament; April 23-25: BCAA Big 8 tournament; April 27: Regular season ends; April 29-May 2: Districts; May 8: 4A-2A regional quarterfinals; May 9: 7A-5A regional quarterfinals; May 14: Regional semifinals; May 17: Regional finals; May 20-25: State championships at Clermont.
MORE TEAM OUTLOOKS
▪ American Heritage (16-7, 4A regional finalist) graduated Miami Herald Player of the Year Emily Legette, but returns a solid core that should keep it in state title contention. Junior pitcher Koda Travers returns in the circle for the Patriots while eighth-grade infielder Mia West anchors their lineup along with sophomores Analie Diaz, Emma Griffith and Bria Villano.
▪ Cardinal Gibbons (12-9 last season) will look to upset the status quo in Class 3A led by the strong arm of sophomore pitcher Lydia Berent. Already being recruited by multiple Division-I schools, Berent hit nine home runs last season and had a 2.00 ERA in the circle.
▪ Archbishop McCarthy (9-10, 5A regional quarterfinalist) will look to supplant rival Pembroke Pines Charter as the top Broward team in its class led by returning senior pitcher/first baseman Chantale Guillou.
▪ Westminster Academy (19-7, 2A regional quarterfinalist) are aiming to return to state after being ousted in the first round of regionals last season. Experience will be key for the Lions who return junior pitcher Ava Salvino, junior infielder Dianna Montidoro and junior catcher Savanna Lee.
▪ St. Thomas Aquinas (12-10, 6A regional semifinalist) has a talented core of juniors led by shortstop Christina D’Agostino and infielders Victoria Brunette and Summer Givens.
▪ Cooper City (12-15, 6A regional semifinalist) are led by junior infielder Jenavive Quinones.
▪ South Plantation (13-10, 6A regional quarterfinalist) hopes to make a deeper playoff push this season led once again by senior shortstop Zuly Henriquez, who has signed with New York University.
▪ Pine Crest (6-12 last season) will once again be led by senior catcher Alicia Marzouca, who hit .628 last year. Marzouca is among a trio of seniors including pitcher Lindsey Eldridge and Robin Sverdilk who should be vital again to the Panthers’ efforts.
▪ Cypress Bay (8-10 last season) feels like it will have a strong lineup and more experience this season led by senior first baseman Alexis Gatlin (.408, 2 HR, 25 RBI in 2023). Sophomore catcher Jo Jo Munger and senior third baseman Ana Rincon are also back for the Lightning.
▪ Calvary Christian (1-17 last season) will try to rebound after a tough 2023 season led by sophomores Reese Mittauer and Sofia Fine.
This story was originally published February 11, 2024 at 7:00 AM.
