Orange City University got off to a fast start in a battle of undefeated softball teams Friday afternoon at the FHSAA state tournament.
Sustaining that early momentum proved fleeting.
University (25-1) stranded seven runners and was tagged out multiple times on the base paths during a 4-3 semifinal loss vs. Lake Worth Park Vista (29-0) in a Class 7A semifinal.
Park Vista, a 2019 state champion, extended its win streak to 48 games. The Cobras entered the tournament ranked No. 4 among all classifications, according to MaxPreps. University was ranked No. 1 in 7A and second overall.
“We jumped out great and thought it was going to be a good run from there, but we got away from trying to hit the ball on the ground,” University coach Kenny Walters said. “We just hit too many fly balls, and they had a good catcher who threw us out a couple times.
“We just weren’t good enough or smart enough today.”
The game was clouded by constant gusts of dust and sand due to windy conditions at Legions Way Ballfields in Clermont.
Aminah Vega, Zoe Hines and Caitlyn Porter each scored runs in the top of the first inning and finished 1-for-3 at the plate for the Titans. Park Vista scored one run each in the first and second innings to remain within reach.
The tide turned in the bottom of the fifth when Kelsey Ganci tied the game at 3-3 on a double to the fence in right field. She then stole home to score the winning run following a single to left field by Illiana Hernandez.
University was tagged out twice while trying to advance runners in the sixth inning and went down in order in its final at-bat in the seventh.
Junior pitcher Grace Taylor struck out three batters and walked two in the loss. Park Vista scored two runs on errors.
“You can’t take away what we did, so we’re going to be very thankful and very proud of that,” Walters said of the season. “We gave it a great run, but I think today the better team beat us.”
This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email J.C. Carnahan at jcarnahan@orlandosentinel.com.
