Coral Springs Charter’s dynasty has come to an end.
After winning five straight state softball championships, the Panthers’ season ended in a 6-3 loss to visiting Oxbridge Academy in the Class 3A regional semifinals Tuesday night.
“It’s unbelievable,” ThunderWolves coach Kevin Drake said. “That’s where everybody wants to be. That’s the mark. That’s the benchmark right there.”
Tuesday’s game promised to be a pitchers’ duel. Oxbridge pitcher Luna Curran entered the game with a 0.25 ERA, and Coral Springs Charter pitcher Brianna Godfrey nearly matched that with a 0.31 ERA. Despite the final score, it still effectively was a pitchers’ duel — seven of the nine runs were unearned.
Neither team could push across a run through the first three innings. The two pitchers shut their opponents down and struck out 12 through the first three frames.
The Panthers struck first, aided by ThunderWolves defensive mistakes. Freshman Stephanie Basso attempted to sacrifice bunt to advance a runner, but Curran threw the ball away, allowing Basso to reach second and Christina D’Augostino to reach third. Sophomore Grace Derstine bunted, and a run scored on another error. Jesyne Espinal dropped down a third straight bunt, and the throw home was too late to get the runner. A third run scored on a third error.
“[Oxbridge] didn’t quit; they kept going and stayed in the game,” Drake said. “Usually against a team like this, you’re down three-nothing, it’s over. Lights out.”
But the fielding bug would soon strike the Panthers. Oxbridge chipped away at the lead with an RBI single by sophomore Shayna Barker, but strong defense from Coral Springs Charter notched two outs without another ThunderWolves runner scoring.
Oxbridge loaded the bases for leadoff hitter Tatianna Davis, who hit an infield grounder. Instead of ending the inning, the throw from third sailed into foul territory in right field. The three runners ahead of Davis crossed the plate, and the speedy senior motored home to score, as well. Davis’ inside-the-park, four-base error gave Oxbridge a 5-3 lead.
“It was an overwhelming feeling,” Davis said. “I just wanted to put pressure on the defense. We do that when we chop it up in the air, and you run fast. I just wanted to make sure I did my job.”
Curran stayed in the game and worked around Coral Springs Charter baserunners to hold onto the lead and secure the complete-game victory.
Oxbridge will face Miami Westminster Christian in the regional finals on Friday with a chance to reach the state Final Four on the line.
“I told them, ‘Celebrate and do whatever they can tonight, but tomorrow, it starts all over again,'” Drake said. “I think we have a chance. We’ve just go to play better defense and hit the ball a little bit.”
