Winter Springs was down to its final out Thursday in an FHSAA Class 6A softball regional quarterfinal when Kenzie Cox entered the batter’s box.
The freshman had gone 0-for-3 in her previous at-bats.
“It was so nerve-wracking. I was just looking for my pitch. I wasn’t going to chase anything,” Cox said. “And then she throws me a couple balls; I took a strike, and the next pitch was my pitch.”
Cox made contact to left centerfield to extend the game. The clutch hit, which scraped the glove above the head of the shortstop, scored Kendyl Gaffney from second base and drew the Bears into a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning.
A sacrifice fly to right field in the eighth by senior Megan Hagge gave Winter Springs (19-7) a thrilling 2-1 victory over visiting Neptune Beach Fletcher (14-10). Sophomore Amber Daugherty scored the decisive run after previously reaching base safely on a triple.
“A senior came through for us, and we’re all excited because we aren’t going home,” Cox said.
The season continues for Winter Springs on Tuesday as the host against the winner between Groveland South Lake (21-4) and St. Johns Creekside (19-5).
Other Orlando area softball teams extended lengthy win streaks this week in regional tournament play.
Orange City University remained unbeaten while improving to 23-0 with a 9-1 win vs. St. Johns Bartram Trail (17-11) in Class 7A. The game was delayed nearly an hour after four innings due to inclement weather.
Senior Madde Jorczak hit a home run and junior Aminah Vega drove in runs on a pair of doubles for the Titans, who entered the week ranked No. 10 nationally by MaxPreps.
Shutout wins by Lake Brantley and Oviedo sets up a District 3 rematch won by the Patriots 7-2 last week.
Lake Brantley (19-7) disposed of Timber Creek (10-14) by a 10-0 score in five innings Thursday. Reagan Sienkiewicz hit a home run and drove in five runs and Gabby Sacco struck out 12 batters while allowing only one hit.
Catherine Buckner struck out 11 batters and gave up two hits and two walks for Oviedo (19-5) in a 2-0 win at District 4 champion Winter Park (19-3). Buckner also drove in both runs on a pair of hits.
On Wednesday, Eustis (23-1) won its 16th in a row while prevailing 11-0 vs. visiting Merritt Island (12-16) in a Class 4A quarterfinal. The Panthers, who have allowed just 14 runs this spring, play the winner of Bishop Moore (17-8) and Rockledge (18-7) in the semifinals.
Bishop Moore’s quarterfinal game was suspended in the top of the fourth inning and scheduled to resume Friday at 5 p.m. while tied at 0-0. Eustis defeated the Hornets 4-0 on April 30 in the District 7 championship game.
Cornerstone Charter Academy (11-12) led host Cocoa (15-8) by a 5-0 score in the bottom of the third inning in Class 3A when that game was suspended Wednesday due to weather. CCA is playing without three starters this week because of COVID-19 issues.
The winner of that matchup advances to face The First Academy (19-6), which won 6-0 against Melbourne Central Catholic (15-2-1). Hannah Harper struck out 11 batters while allowing three hits and Jenny Hartman drove in two runs on a double as the Royals won their ninth straight.
Montverde Academy was forced to forfeit its 3A quarterfinal vs. Pierson Taylor due to a COVID “quarantine-related issue,” as reported by Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Windermere Prep (22-1) will carry a 19-game win streak into Tuesday’s home game against Taylor after winning 4-2 vs. Ocala Trinity Catholic (11-11). Piper Hoffman went 2-for-3 with a triple and run scored and Gracie Wallace struck out 10 batters for the Lakers.
District champions clash in a local 2A semifinal as Orlando Christian Prep (16-7) hosts Mount Dora Christian Academy (18-8) in the first meeting between the programs this spring.
Mia Rosario led OCP with 2 hits, including an RBI-double, during a 5-1 quarterfinal win Wednesday vs. Legacy Charter (13-11). Brooke Moss went 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs and Wynter Craft pitched a 2-hitter as MDCA won 4-0 against Deltona Trinity (8-9).
Softball quarterfinal results
Class 7A
Region 1
Orange City University d. St. Johns Bartram Trail, 9-1
Lake Brantley d. Timber Creek, 10-0 (5 inn.)
Oviedo d. Winter Park, 2-0
Region 2
Lake Nona d. Port St. Lucie Centennial, 11-1
Freedom at Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast, Friday, 4
Region 3
Clermont East Ridge d. Davenport Ridge Community, 18-0
West Orange d. Kissimmee Osceola, 10-5
Class 6A
Region 1
Groveland South Lake at St. Johns Creekside, Friday
Winter Springs d. Neptune Beach Fletcher, 2-1 (8 inn.)
Class 5A
Region 1
Middleburg d. Deltona, 4-2
Class 4A
Region 2
Eustis d. Merritt Island, 11-0
Bishop Moore at Rockledge, Friday, 5
Class 3A
Region 2
Pierson Taylor d. Montverde Academy, forfeit
Windermere Prep d. Ocala Trinity Catholic, 4-2
The First Academy d. Melbourne Central Catholic, 6-0
Cornerstone Charter at Cocoa, Friday, 7
Class 2A
Region 2
Mount Dora Christian d. Deltona Trinity Christian, 4-0
Orlando Christian Prep d. Legacy Carter, 5-1
This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email J.C. Carnahan at jcarnahan@orlandosentinel.com.
