By Kyle LoJacono
Standing in front of the Academy at the Lakes softball team and a spot in the Class 2A regional finals was a familiar opponent — district rival Hernando Christian.
The Wildcats (14-4) defeated the Lions (16-7) the previous three meetings this season, but only by a combined five runs. The academy completed the sweep with a 3-0 win April 27 to reach the doorstep of the final four for the first time.
“Our school doesn’t have a history with winning in a lot of sports,” said catcher Rebecca Hannah. “We wanted to come out here and prove ourselves.”
On the mound for the academy was Sydney Boynton (8-2, 1.78 ERA). The junior faced the Lions in the first three meetings. She used her overwhelming changeup to freeze Hernando Christian in the district finals but opted for more curveballs, dropballs and screwballs in the playoffs.
“I faced them four times, and they kept saying watch the changeup,” Sydney said. “They were waiting for it, so I tried to sneak something past them, not my changeup. I threw it when it was appropriate.”
The strategy worked. Sydney threw a complete game two-hitter with three walks and nine strikeouts, three on her change.
“They have some great hitters, so it’s tough every time,” Sydney said. “It was tough for us too hitting wise until the fifth.”
Sydney’s sister, Skyler, led off the fifth with a single. The Wildcats loaded the bases after an intentional walk to Lauren Evans and Sydney reaching on an error.
Hannah stepped to the plate and hit the first pitch to drive in the winning run.
“I was thinking I’ve got to hit this girl early,” Hannah said. “She’s a good pitcher. We’ve struggled with her.”
Sydney scored in the inning when an illegal pitch was called, and Hannah was driven in on a single by Brenna Walton to go up 3-0. The academy needed six more outs, but first-year Wildcats coach Jerry English gave them something else to focus on.
“I told them we were losing by one run,” English said. “We can’t play any different losing by one run or ahead by three. We can’t go back on our heels or we’ll fall down.”
The academy hosts Quincy Monroe at Live Oak Little League Park May 1 at 4 p.m.
Bishop McLaughlin falls 5-4
The Bishop McLaughlin softball team dropped its Class 3A regional quarterfinals contest to Lakeland Christian 5-4 on April 24.
The Hurricanes (13-15) scored two in the first inning, but gave up three in the second to the Vikings (12-13). The ‘Canes tied the score in the third, but fell behind for good when Lakeland tallied two in the fourth.
