LAND O’ LAKES — Success is nothing new for Land O’ Lakes softball.
Under 13th-year coach Mitch Wilkins, the Gators have hung banners on the center field wall for a 2017 state title and a 2021 state runner-up finish. Now they’re chasing more.
Led by a star two-way player, a veteran coach and a young core of talent, the Gators (24-4) opened the postseason with a 2-0 win over Palm Harbor on May 7. They hosted East Lake on May 12 in the Class 6A region semifinals.
Junior ace Taliah Murria dominated the Hurricanes (17-9), allowing one hit and two walks while striking out 15. She also tripled at the plate, and Jazlynne Whittington drove in a run.
Murria, the Gators’ top hitter, is 13-3 with a 1.37 ERA and 150 strikeouts this season. She’s also hitting .427 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs. Junior Valora Brewington leads the team with 26 RBIs on 25 hits, and senior Miyah Davis has 24 RBIs.
At Sunlake, the eighth-seeded Seahawks (15-11) fell to top-seeded Parrish Community 3-0 on May 7. Senior Analese Lacquey had the team’s only hit.
Sunlake was led this season by sophomores Zoey Cropper (.417, 30 hits, four home runs, 23 RBIs) at the plate and Madison Siders (15-8, 2.88 ERA, 161 strikeouts) in the circle.
Gators flag football falls in region final
In just its second season, the Land O’ Lakes girls flag football team (15-5) had its best year yet, with the run ending in a 20-12 loss at Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge in the Class 3A region final on May 7.
After a 4½-hour bus ride, the Gators held Seminole Ridge — ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, the state and the country — to 20 points. The Hawks had been averaging 30.
“I think with another year under our belt and the experiences from this year, (the state tournament) is our expectation next year,” coach Shawn Millard said. “We have to play near perfect to make that happen, but with our athletes, there is no doubt that we can. Just an amazing group of young ladies and coaches.”
The Gators return a strong senior class, including quarterback Sophie Spiegel (4,197 total yards, 65 total touchdowns), receiver Kaylynne Mace (864 yards, 16 touchdowns), defensive specialist Kate Johnson (33 sacks) and two-way national team player Kate Smith, who had 14 receiving touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
Athletes place at state
Angeline Academy, in just its third year of existence, posted its best individual finish yet at the Class 2A state track championships at UNF-Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville on May 7.
Sophomore Taylor Leidel placed third in the pole vault at 14 feet, 3.25 inches. Junior teammate Luke Reynolds finished 11th in the javelin.
At the Class 4A meet on May 9, Land O’ Lakes sophomore Xavier Tavo took fourth in the shot put with a throw of 50 feet, 10.75 inches.
Sunlake’s Christian Hindman finished 10th in the 1,600 meters and 15th in the 800. Teammate Oscar Brown was 11th in the 3,200, and freshman Ana Ceilia Maia Menard finished 17th in the 3,200.
Flag football signee
Sunlake senior Chloe Fluker became the flag football program’s first athlete to sign a college scholarship, inking with Indiana Wesleyan on May 9. Fluker helped the Seahawks to an 11-6 record and posted 33 tackles, four sacks and four pass deflections on defense.