Eustis pair finish fourth, fifth in Miss Softball, Coach of the Year voting

GAINESVILLE — Eustis pitcher Libby Levendoski and Brittany Beall came up short in their final contest of the season, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively for the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Softball and Coach of the Year awards.

Trenton pitcher Darian Ingram was named Miss Softball for the second time in three years and Bradenton Lakewood Ranch coach T.J. Goelz earned Coach of the Year honors.

Levendoski’s and Beall’s finish, however, was among the best by a player and coach from Lake and Sumter counties. The final vote was surprising for some, considering how dominant the Panthers were in the postseason, outscoring its regional and state opponents 38-2 and recording four shutouts in their final five games.

In the Class 4A state championship game, a 5-0 win against Brooksville Hernando, Levendoski was at her dominant best, allowing only two hits and striking out 16. In her final three outings of the season, which included a no-hitter against Belleview for the Class 4A-Region 2 championship, Levendoski did not allow a runner past second base.

“Certainly, I would’ve liked to finish higher and even win the award, but I congratulate Darian and everyone who was being considered,” said Levendoski. “I was an honor to be up for the award. The biggest thing for me, though, is that I was able to help my teammates win the state championship.

“That’s what it was all about.”

Levendoski, who fashioned a 24-1 record this season with a 0.46 ERA, totaled 90 points. Only a sophomore, Levendoski received three first-place votes, five second-place votes and five for third. 

Voting was scored on a 10-7-5 basis — 10 points for a first-place vote, seven for a second-place vote and five for third.

“Libby had a fantastic season,” said Beall. “The big thing for her was that she worked tremendously hard in the offseason to get ready and it showed. She’s so selfless and is a such a team player — she has never put personal goals above the team.”

Ingram finished with 110 points. She led Trenton to the Class 1A state title with an 18-1 record, with eight no-hitters and a perfect game. She sported a 0.61 ERA and hit .440 at the plate. 

Coach and Player of the Year:State honors continue to roll in for Eustis softball

Panthers win it all: Eustis win Class 4A state championship in softball

Work in progress: Eustis wins: A masterpiece years in the making

City pays tribute: Community honors Eustis softball champs with downtown parade

Cassidy McLellan from Lakewood Ranch was second with 104 points and Alyssa Zabala from Academy was third with 100 points.  

It was closest vote in the history of the award, which dates back to 1993, according to David Stirt, director of the Florida Dairy Farmers Awards Program.

Beall finished with 68 points in the Coach of the Year voting. She had two first-place votes, four second and four third-place votes. 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be considered for this honor,” said Beall. “I’ll never stop be satisfied with myself or my team. Now, I have get better as a coach to keep our program moving forward.”

Levendoski takes Beall’s self-assessment one step further.

“We wouldn’t be state champions without coach Beall,” said Levendoski. “I wish people — from all over the world — could come and watch our practices. During the season, we all ask ourselves, ‘why are we running so much?’ and ‘why are having workouts at 6 a.m.?’ 

“Now, we understand. We are state champions because of coach Beall’s dedication to this program.”

In her 11th season at Eustis, Beall led the Panthers to a 27-1 record. Overall, Eustis has compiled a 186-66 record with two title game appearances under her tutelage.

Since 2017, when Eustis played for the Class 5A state title, the Panthers have compiled a 105-15 record.

Goelz, who led Lakewood Rance to the Class 7A state title, earned top honors with 123 points, with five first-place votes, four second-place votes and nine third. Trenton’s Todd Bryant, who announced his retired Trenton’s 5-4 win against Jay in the Class 1A title game, was second with 105 points, while Doral Academy’s Willie Viruet and Jody Moore from Canterbury finished third and fourth, respectively.

Last week, Levendoski and Beall were named Class 4A Player and Coach of the Year.