-
Led by sophomore ace Addison Felblinger, St. Cloud should challenge for top team in the county this year. PHOTO/ST. CLOUD HIGH SCHOOL -
Harmony’s sophomore Emerson Alsan will lead the Longhorn’s offense on the softball diamond. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS
With the regular season underway, an informal poll of county coaches suggests St. Cloud may be this year’s county team to beat, but several other teams should be in contention.
The 2024 season includes the Roger Jones Kissimmee Klassic (April 4-6), the Orange Belt Conference tournament (April 8-12) and the start of district tournament play April 29.
CELEBRATION (District 7A-10)
Coach Kelley Lewis
The Storm has new leadership after a 1-13 year. Top players from a year ago, junior Mariah Isabel (1B) and sophomore Lilly Rogerson (CF) return. Freshmen Isabella Bayona (C) and Gianelyz Reyes (3B) could be impact players.
Lewis: “I’m looking forward to my first year as a high school head coach. I hope my girls learn a lot about the game this year and can grow as student athletes.”
GATEWAY (5A-6)
Coach Sam Milien (9th year, 2-13)
Milien welcomes back a veteran team led by juniors Jaylynn Eusebio (SS/P/CF), Naomi Joseph (INF/OF), Adriana Fisch (1B), Destiny Montanez (CF/P) and ace pitcher Christina Diaz (RHP). Promising new talent includes juniors Haleemah Ahmad (OF) and Gabriella Zambrano (OF/INF) and freshmen Isabella Lopez (OF), Rashiel Loreus (OF) and Mariah Schneller (1B).
Milien: “Our goal is to play hard and improve our skills throughout the season, while playing together and having fun.”
HARMONY (7A-10)
Coach Krisiti Mindrup (10-8, district champions)
Harmony again should be in the mix as the county’s top team. Experience returns, including sophomore power hitter Emerson Aslan. Senior leadership comes from Isabella Correa-Ayala and catcher Natalie Booth. Senior pitcher Lindsay Green (5-4, 1.86 ERA) is back. Newcomer Nicole Yi (Jr.) is expected to make an impact at third base.
Mindrup: “We are going to approach this year one game at time and not worry about long range goals. Our schedule is extremely challenging but at it will make us a better team. Our goal is to play hard, play together and have fun doing it.”
LIBERTY (5A-6)
Coach Roy Colom (4-13)
Liberty lost several talented players to graduation, including their top pitcher. But optimism stems from the return senior Yasmin Elajah, who led the team in almost every offensive category (.569, 4 home runs, 15 extra-base hits, 34 RBI, 25 runs). Kailyn Mejia (.350) and Samantha Lherisson (INF) also return to provide leadership from the upper class. Ashley Figueroa (INF/OF) is a freshman who should make an impact this season.
Colom: “It was a long offseason as we started to rebuild the program. We have a relatively young team but we have some key senior leadership to guide them and believe we have a lot of potential. Starting the year with a new pitching staff is always a challenge, one that we are up to.”
OSCEOLA (7A-10)
Coach Miranda Watford (12-10, district Runner-up, OBC champions)
The Kowboys graduated seven position starters, leaving junior pitcher Alexis Miranda (10-7 with a 3.24 ERA) as one of the few returning starters. The roster features 11 freshmen and sophomores including promising freshmen Samanthalea Edwards (1B/P) and Tenley Dawson (SS).
Watford: “Under the leadership of senior Alexis Miranda, we have a young team this season. We are excited to see this group as they continue to mesh together as they bring so much fun and excitement to the program.”
POINCIANA (7A-10)
Coach Randy Beeken (14-9)
The Eagles posted their first winning record in nearly 20 years last season and hopes to see the positive trend continue. Star sophomore catcher Alondra Lozada is back from injury and will be joined by four teammates who put up some solid offensive numbers: Corymar Gotay (.517, 10 extra base hits), Keyanna Stanley (.527, 25 RBI, 39 hits), Neveah Peters (.439, 23 RBI) and Mayra Saez (.365). Freshman Savannah Alsen is expected to help the team’s pitching.
Beeken: “Losing Alondra for the year definitely hurt us Savannah certainly makes us a lot better on the mound. We beefed up our schedule up this year to help get us ready for the OBC Tournament and districts. With the firepower we have coming returning this season, I think we can be competitive with the county’s top teams.”
ST. CLOUD (7A-9)
Coach Ray Whobrey (15-10, regional playoff qualifier)
Whobrey, just eight wins short of the 200 career mark, has a relatively young team (two seniors) that’s talented and experienced. Senior Brooke Scott (.299) will provide the senior leadership, while Savannah Barlow and Leah McLaughlin also return. sophomores in Addison Felblinger (6-2, 1.72 ERA) and Addisyn Todd (will provide a solid one-two pitching rotation. Whobrey is also excited about the addition of junior transfer Kacey Pagan and freshman Khia Czeczeli and Sofia Soto, who Whobrey believes could challenge for starting jobs.
Whobrey: “It’s fair to say we have some big expectations. We possess a lot of young talent on the roster, with an experienced senior in Brooke. I am looking forward to see what Addison will do this year on the mound and with her bat. Leah McLaughlin will catch and bring a good bat with her. Our infield should be strong with Savannah Barlow at third, Brooke Scott at shortstop, Kacey Pagan at second; and the outfield of McKenzie Nolley, Grace Watford and Lacey Scott.”
TOHOPEKALIGA (7A-10)
Coach Chantal Schuster (10-9)
Schuster has the Lady Tigers trending in the right direction. The Tigers had the first winning record in school history in 2023 and with nine returnees hope to better that mark. Sophomore Jessilyn Diaz returns as their top pitcher and shortstop. She hit .490 as a freshman and also won 10 games on the mound. Harmony transfe Angie Castro (3B) could play a big role. Schuster is also high on freshmen Gaby Santiago (P/2B/OF) and Anaya Josue (OF).
Schuster: “Our program has continued to grow and improve every season and we do not expect anything different this year. With nine returning lettermen and six promising newcomers, we are confident that we will continue that upward trend and perhaps surprise some people along the way.”
