Coral Springs Charter softball storms into first state final since 2019
Coral Springs Charter spent last week playing high-intensity softball against a couple of the best teams in the state.
The Panthers ran the gauntlet, beating Somerset Silver Palms and later Cardinal Gibbons (then the top-ranked team in the state) in order to return to the state final four for the first time in four years.
On Thursday morning, Coral Springs Charter didn’t take its foot off the gas.
Ignited by a two-run home run from senior Gio Gurgel, the Panthers scored four runs in the first, and later 10 more in the third inning to rout Lakeland McKeel 14-0 in a Class 3A state semifinal at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
“They were breathing fire right from the start,” Coral Springs Charter coach Mark Montimurro said. “Gio’s home run ignited the offense and I felt like the other team felt like they were fighting an uphill battle the rest of the way.”
The Panthers (22-4), the top seed in the 3A bracket after overcoming their tough schedule and brutal region, will next take on Eustis in the 3A final at 4 on Friday.
Coral Springs Charter is chasing its sixth state overall, but its first since winning five in a row from 2015-2019. The streak is tied for the most in state history with Bartow’s run from 2002-2006.
Gurgel led Coral Springs Charter with three hits overall, including a double, and five RBI. Sophomore Bree Martinelli also had three hits, including two doubles, and three RBI. Cameron Thiele also had a two-run single.
Junior Courtney Wahlbrink threw three shutout innings, struck out three, walked two and allowed three hits. Freshman Emma Ruiz struck out three over two perfect innings.
“It was an impressive performance, but you come up here to win two games, not one,” Montimurro said.
This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 1:29 PM.
