John Carroll softball moves on, Jensen Beach ends season

Ayonna Mitchell hit two inside-the-park home runs as part of a 3-for-3 day adding a double with seven RBI as John Carroll Catholic defeated Trinity Christian Academy 16-0 in three innings Tuesday afternoon.

Kaley Brancaccio had two hits, including a double and drove in two runs as John Carroll plated nine runs in the first inning.

Sophia Loreto struck out eight in three hitless innings for the Rams (10-9) advanced to the Region 4-2A semifinals where they will travel to play Glades Day on May 11 at 4 p.m.

Cypress Lake 8, Jensen Beach 3

Justine Robbins wanted to save her biggest performance of the year until the postseason.

The junior went yard on two different occasions, as Cypress Lake defeated Jensen Beach 8-3 in a Class 4A-Region 4 quarterfinal contest.

“She’s a kid that can hit home runs,” Cypress Lake coach Betty Rodriguez said. She hasn’t hit a single home run this season. She’s been very patient, and her time was tonight. She came out and hit a three-run homer and a solo homer. You can’t ask for anything better than that.”

The Panthers entered the third inning up 5-0, until the Falcons finally got on the board thanks to Atlanta Richardson’s RBI single, which scored Shawna McNair.

From there, the Panthers would have an answer for Jensen Beach, scoring in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings.

“It was a good win," Rodriguez said. "I had all the confidence in our girls. They came out on fire defensively, they came out on fire offensively, and they had an answer for us in that third inning. But our girls came back and matched them run-for-run, and they came through and did their job."

Despite Wednesday night's loss, Jensen Beach coach Sarah Gillooly was still proud of her team nonetheless. 

"This team has not made it to a regional in seven years," Gillooly said. "This was big. I am very, very, very proud of them. Our record doesn't reflect how well we've done this season. For my seniors, they played their hearts out and got a chance to do something that nobody in the school has done yet. It's monumental for them, and I hope they take this with them in life."

Sammi Rosado started on the hill for Cypress Lake and went the distance, allowing five hits, three earned runs, with five walks and five strikeouts.

Ashley Peralta went 2-for-3 out of the leadoff spot with an RBI and a run scored. Megan Hall also had two hits in the five-spot for the Panthers.

Richardson led the Falcons at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double. Annalise Buncy, Lus Segura, and Shanna McNair had one hit apiece.

Cypress Lake (19-4) will have a date in Pompano Beach next week against the Golden Tornadoes (15-5). Jensen Beach closes its season at 10-12.

— Alex Martin