Osceola, Harmony or St. Cloud has claimed all but one of the Orange Belt Conference softball championships since 1992. It’s a pretty good guess nothing will change in 2026, as both Osceola and St. Cloud return veteran teams and the Longhorns always seem to be a squad to reckon with when the Orange Belt Conference Tournament is held April 6-9.
Here is a look around the county:
OSCEOLA (2025 record: 13-11)
Coach Miranda Watford’s team made it to the OBC championship game last season, dropping a 1-0 decision to St. Cloud in the final. The Kowboys also made a run at a district title, where they fell in extra innings in the semifinal. An outstanding group of freshmen come in and earned starting positions in 2024: shortstop Tenley Dawson (.385), catcher Faith Ferrer (.328), outfielder Destiny Ferrer (.382) and first baseman Samanthalea Edwards (.316) are return with another year of experience.
Looking to be that dominant pitcher, righthanders Milanays Lopez and Audrey Stewart came out of pre-season camps as Osceola’s top hurlers.
“Our team has shown a lot of heart and maturity during the pre-season,” Watford said. “They seem to be more focused than ever and we are ready for an exciting season.”
ST. CLOUD (21-5, OBC and district champs)
Led by returning county Player of the Year Addison Felblinger, Coach Ray Whobrey’s Bulldogs return a veteran lineup that will once against attempt to defend their titles Felblinger can do it all. A fourth-year starter, she struck out 185 batters and posted a 2.01 ERA in the circle. A career .400 hitter, she batted .405 last season with a .505 on-base percentage and drove in 35 runs and played first base when not pitching. Medalis Reyes hit .405 as a freshman at shortstop; she and Grace Comiskey (.383 BA//488 OBP) and Sheyenne Hawkins (.357 BA, .413 OBP) are key cogs in the offense.
Whobrey said he believes this team has the talent, competitiveness and heart to exceed last year’s accomplishments—where they lost a hard-fought 4-2 decision to Boone in the regional quarterfinals.
“Expectations are high for this team,” Whobrey says. “We have a lot of team speed, so we expect to put pressure on our opponents. Timely hitting and pitching are always the key, but we are excited about our potential.”
HARMONY (12-13)
Don’t let youth fool you about the Longhorns. “We’re going to be a really young team this season,” Coach Kristi Mindrup said. “Still these players have shown a tremendous work ethic. The combination of returning veterans and the spark our freshmen give us should make us competitive in every game.”
Senior Emerson Aslan returns as the big bat in the lineup. She enters her final campaign with a career batting average of .384 with 18 home runs and 66 RBI. With the departure of longtime ace Lindsay Green via graduation, Mindrup will rely on sophomore Hailey Baker to fill that role. A pair of freshmen in Noel Stevenson (catcher) and Elyssa Staley (pitcher) are expected to have an impact.
CELEBRATION (12-13)
Captain Ariana Rosado returns to lead the Storm offense after leading the team in most categories last season, including batting average (.600), extra base hits (19) and RBI (32). Look for Valeria Castellano (SS) and Briar Kraft (Utility) to provide veteran leadership. Isabella Bayona returns as the most experienced pitcher; while varsity newcomers Isabella Espinal (Fr./LF) and Brielle Ramirez (So./C) are potential contributors.
“With the addition of our new pitching coach Whitney Crawford to our staff, our program will continue to grow,” Coach Tor Kraft noted. “Our team goals remain unchanged, posting a winning season; while giving each player the tools to reach their potential.”
GATEWAY (5-10)
Several season veterans return, like all-county selection Destiny Montanez, who played four different positions last year. Help will come from Jaylynn Eusebio—another multi-position player—as well as fellow seniors Naomi Joseph (2B) and Adriana Fisch (1B). A couple of talented freshman, Jade Garcia and Victoria Batista, can play both catcher and the corner infield positions, join the team as does sophomore Jo’naiya Oquendo, who steps up from the JV team.
“I think we continue to improve and move in the right direction,” Coach Sam Milien said. “These athletes are not afraid of hard work and communicate well with each other.”
POINCIANA (7-11)
Faced with a rebuilding year, the Eagles will look to transfers Ashley (Fr./SS) and Angie Figueroa (Jr./3B) to lift its offense. Newcomers Isabella Rodriguez (Fr./INF) and Evolette Valazquez (So/2B) will also compete for playing time. Senior captain Aidalee Vargas (.400 BA) is the most experienced bat returning to the lineup; while Savannah Welch is the most experienced pitcher.
“The Lady Eagles will have a strong core with Welch and Vargas coming back,” Coach Darrin Payne said. “Our newcomers have worked really hard to help Poinciana be competitive this year. With only one senior, we are definitely young and will make young mistakes, but the goal is to learn from those.”
TOHOPEKALIGA (9-10)
First year head coach Alanie Cora inherits a Tiger team returning much of the offense, including All-County selection Anaya Josue (.550 BA, 22 RBI). Three other .350+ hitters also return: Jessilyn Diaz (.489), Maria Santiago (.362) and Amija Limones (.425). Santiago was also the Tigers top hurler last season (3-3, 1.83 ERA), who averaged more than a strikeout per inning.
LIBERTY (1-13) First-year coach Nahiely Rodriguez will rely on returning senior players Shayne Bullard (catcher) and Madeline Cespedes (3B/P). Top newcomers include Adabella Esparza (SS/P) and Galilea Santos (OF). Focusing on consistency and developing players is a top goal for Rodriguez and Liberty, who look to rebuild the program that last posted a winning season in the COVID-shortened 2020.
