Look for the usual suspects – Harmony, St. Cloud and Osceola – to again battle for the 2025 Orange Belt Conference softball championship.
Defending OBC champion Harmony rolled through the county championship field last year, outscoring the opposition 35-3 and beating St. Cloud in the championship game 4-2, a key to the Longhorns retaining the coveted OBC All-Sports trophy.
Although the Longhorns graduated some talented seniors from that team, Coach Kristi Mindrup believes her squad has enough returning leaders and a solid mix of newcomers to compete once again for a title.
Playing a line-up that included six freshman starters, Osceola lost to St. Cloud in the semifinals of the OBC tournament but had a terrific district tournament – beating Harmony for the title. With returning starters at almost every position, the Lady Kowboys could be the team to beat this year.
Veteran coach Ray Whobrey and his Lady Bulldogs should not be counted out. St. Cloud played a tough schedule last season and went 4-1 against county competition. The Dogs lost a tough 13-11 decision to top-seeded Boone in the district championship but still earned an at-large regional playoff bid. Whobrey said this year’s St. Cloud team is among the best in his long career.
Celebration (4-16 in 2024)
Head Coach: Tor Kraft
Top Returning Players: Isabella Bayona (So., C/P), Valeria Castellano (Jr., SS/P), Mariah Isabel (Sr., P/C/1B), Gigi Reyes (So., 3B/P)
Newcomers to Watch: Ariana Rosado (Jr., OF/P), Lily Crawford (Fr., P/OF)
Kraft on Lady Storm: “This year we hope to go stronger both on and off the field. With our new coaching staff, we hope to improve in all aspects of the game as we build a competitive program devoted to teamwork, support of each other, and pushing the program to new heights. We want to establish a program that will give our seniors a chance to play at the next level if that is their dream. Winning will always be a goal, but so will having fun, staying positive and building memories.”
Gateway (0-15 in 2024)
Head Coach: Samuel Milien
Top Returning Players: Jaylynn Subbio (Sr., CF/SS, P/3B), Destiny Montanez (Sr., P/OF/INF), Naomi Joseph (Sr., 2B/OF); Adriana Fisch (Sr., 1B)
Newcomers To Watch: Jade Garcia (Fr., C/INF), Victoria Batista (Fr., C/INF), Jo’Nalya Oquendo (So., OF)
Milien on Lady Panthers: “Our first goal is to help our players grow into amazing individuals to help prepare them to combat a complex world. Sports can teach communication, love, cooperation and the importance of hard work. We never want to let them forget their parents are their greatest heroes. We want to grow as a team and improve but not at the expense of being happy and having fun.”
Harmony (11-11)
Head Coach: Kristi Mindrup
Top Returning Players: Lindsay Green (Sr., P/1B), Haley Diaz (Sr., SS), Emerson Aslan (Jr., OF/1B/3B), Nicole Yi (Sr.. C/3B)
Newcomers To Watch: Hailey Baker (Fr., P/UTL), Mackenzie Whitehouse Fr., P/3B), Taylor Lehey (Fr.,OF)
Mindrup on Lady Longhorns: “We have a good solid core of returning veterans who can help guide a talented group of talented young players. We look forward to competing with the county teams.”
Liberty (8-13)
Head Coach: Casey Peabbles
Top Returning Players: Kaiyn Mejia (Sr., 1B), Shayne Bullard (Jr., SS), Mylee Rodriguez (Jr., C/UTL)
Newcomers To Watch: Mahealani Hanuszczak (So., OF), Andrea Lee (So., 2B)
Peabbles on Lady Chargers: “Our goals are to exceed last year’s win totals and for our players to go play to the best of their abilities each time they step on the field. We hope to be a competitive each game.”
Osceola (14-11)
Head Coach: Miranda Watford
Top Returning Players: Tenley Dawson (So., SS), Faith Ferrer (So., C), Destiny Ferrer (So., OF), Samanthalea Edwards (So., 1B)
Newcomers to Watch: Keyanna Stanley (Jr., OF), Audrey Stewart (Fr., P), Mylana Lopez (Fr., P/OF)
Watford on Lady Kowboys: “We have a great group of young kids but many started as freshmen last year. Our focus will be to be tough as nails and be willing to outwork our opponents. There is a lot of excitement and expectations around the upcoming season and our players are ready to get going.”
Poinciana (14-11)
Head Coach: Darrin Payne
Top Returning Players: Aidalee Vargas (Sr., C), Savannah Welch (So., P), Amanda Tavares (Jr., 1B) Ashley Tejada (Jr., 2B/OF)
Newcomers to Watch: Ashley Figueroa (Fr., SS/C/1B), Angie Figueroa (Jr., 3B), Isabella Rodriguez (Fr., INF/OF), Evolette Velazquez (So., 2B)
Payne on Lady Eagles: “This is sort of a rebuilding year for both the team and myself, as I am returning to coaching for the first time in 10 years. With Welch and Vargas returning, we have a strong core of veteran leadership. Our newcomers, especially the Figueroa sisters, bring both solid defense and offense to our lineup. We are young and will make mistakes, but I am confident we can be a competitive lineup this year.”
St. Cloud (13-15)
Head Coach: Ray Whobrey
Top Returning Players: Addison Felblinger (Jr., P/1B), Savannah Barlow (Sr., 3B), Kacey Pagan (Sr., SS/2B), Sheyenne Hawkins (So., P/1B), Khia Creczeli (So./OF).
Newcomers to Watch: Skylah Rodriguez (Fr./C), Madelis Reyes (Fr., SS/OF), Grace Comiskey (So., OF),
Whobrey on Lady Bulldogs: “We are excited about the upcoming season and enter it with some high expectations. We are still young, but we have talent. This team has great leadership and chemistry, which makes it easy and enjoyable to coach.”
Tohopekaliga (14-7)
Head Coach: Chantal Schuster
Top Returning Players: Maria Santiago (So., P/2B), Jessilyn Diaz (Jr., 2B/P/SS), Anaya Josue (So./OF)
Newcomers to Watch: Makaya Mercado (So., P/2B/SS), Anijah Limones (Fr., C/OF), Dyliannis Nieves (Fr., C/2B/SS)
Schuster on the Lady Tigers: “Our coaching staff is really excited about the potential of this squad. Although we are young, we have some talented and experienced upperclassmen who we believe are ready to lead and make a difference. We are playing a tougher schedule this season because we are confident in the ability of this team to compete and we want to challenge them to grow and succeed.”
