Coral Springs Charter Goes Back To Back, Heritage Wins 6A Title
Coral Springs Charter made history at the Florida High School Softball State Championships at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.
The defending 4A state champion, making its Class 5A debut, became only the fourth team to win back-to-back titles in the sport's history.
The Panthers defeated Bradenton Bayshore, 9-2, in the championship final.
For Coral Springs Charter coach Mark Montimurro it was also a special moment in history. He became the only coach to win back-to-back state titles at two different programs.
The 18-year coaching veteran guided Hollywood Christian to state titles in 2003 and 2004.
The Panthers (25-3) join Hollywood Christian, American Heritage Plantation and St. Thomas Aquinas on the elite list. In his four seasons with the Panthers, his coaching record is 96-13-1.
"I try not to think of it in terms of me," Montimurro said. "It is a tremendous accomplishment and I am cognizant of it. This one is a little bit more special. We took a program that was basically average, next-to-nothing accomplishment-wise and took them to the pinnacle twice. It's about pride."
A day after junior pitcher Ally Muraskin pitched a no-hitter and struck out 13 in the Panthers' 6-0 victory over South Sumter in the semifinals, Muraskin struck out 14 and sparked her team's offensive rally in the fifth inning with two RBIs. The Panthers scored seven more runs in the next two innings.
"With this team, I changed our philosophy," Montimurro said. "We faced two of the state's top elite pitchers. The first time through the lineup we gave the team a chance to hit. Then we went to Plan B and worked the count. We would get a runner on base, chop the ball into the ground, send a runner somewhere and force the other team to self-destruct."
The players knew they had a target on their back since the season-opener.
"We had some players where the pressure doesn't affect them and they don't realize where they're at and we have others that really struggle in those situations. But they came together and performed."
There was a little-added twist for Montimurro and incentive for his players. A week before the tournament, his 2015 state ring was stolen from his car in his neighborhood. Ironically, his home was robbed in 2003 where his Hollywood Christian state ring was stolen. He wore his 2004 state ring during the state tournament.
"I told the team it was kind of ironic," Montimurro said. "I wore the Hollywood Christian ring for good luck. It reminded me how significant winning two in a row is."
"With the season barely over, the players are already talking three-peat. No one has ever done it, winning three in a row," said Montimurro, who graduates four seniors. Our young kids need to get better between now and then. When you have your pitching ace and catcher back, and Lyndsey Garcia and Amanda Flynn…those four are as good a core as anyone has in the county. A three-peat is doable."
In addition to the team banquet and state ring ceremony, the Panthers will be honored by the Marlins and City of Coral Springs with a ceremony at City Hall with a banner.
"We are the only softball champions in Coral Springs and we have done it twice," Montimurro said. "It's pretty special."
AMERICAN HERITAGE WINS 6A TITLE
The Patriots, runners-up in last year's 5A state final, avenged the loss with an impressive 12-2, mercy-rule shortened victory over Panama City Arnold in the Class 6A state championship game.
It was the Patriots (26-2) seventh state title in nine state tournament appearances and fifth consecutive state appearance since head coach Marty Cooper started coaching the team thirteen years ago.
The Patriots have been a state title contender since the opening week of the season and did not disappoint in the final.
Sydney Grobman, who missed most of the season with a torn hamstring, hit a three-run homer, her first of the season, for a 5-0 lead early in the game.
The Patriots had the offensive power throughout the game. Jordyn Griffith went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Marisa Soterakis had two hits and two RBIs. Brooke Langston scored three runs and drove in two others. Maya Rodriguez had two RBIs. Hannah Sipos had two hits and scored twice.
Senior pitcher Maddi Canby allowed only three hits over five innings and struck out two.
In the semifinals, American Heritage defeated Land O'Lakes, 5-0, snapping the Gators' 18-game win streak.
Other Semifinals
Class 9A Semifinal: Winter Park West Orange 11, Western 1: The Wildcats (21-5) first appearance at the state tournament in 14 years was short lived after they fell behind early and could never dig themselves out of a hole in the six-inning game.
Class 9A Semifinal: Tampa Alonso 8, Palmetto 6: Leading 6-4 going into the seventh inning and three outs from a state final berth, Palmetto (25-5) was unable to stop a late rally by the Ravens (15-11).
Class 8A Semifinal: Clearwater Countryside 2, St. Thomas Aquinas 0, The Raiders ended the season at 22-5 after trying to win their third state title in the past four seasons. The Raiders had their share of chances but base running errors proved costly.