The Westminster Academy softball team’s dream of winning their first state title since 1999 came to an unsatisfying end.
Limited to only four hits and giving up an eight-run fifth inning, the Lions (17-12) were shut out by the Canterbury Crusaders (22-9) 11-0 in the Class 2A state semifinals at the Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont on Tuesday.
Westminster Academy’s eighth-grade pitcher Dianna Montidoro, who entered the game with an 8-8 record and 4.45 ERA, struggled throughout the contest as she recorded just one strikeout while giving up 11 hits, four walks and a home run. Canterbury’s pitching tandem of eighth-grader Morgen Talley and sophomore Maya Bickford struck out a combined seven batters while forcing the Lions to leave six batters stranded.
Montidoro recorded one of the four hits for the Lions, along with junior shortstop Kamryn Casey, junior designated hitter Tori Barbar and senior center fielder Rebecca Forrester. Montidoro had been the engine for Westminster Academy’s offense throughout the season, leading the Lions in RBIs (30) while placing second in batting average (.483), runs (36) and hits (42).
Sophomore catcher Alayah Pederson headlined the bats for the Crusaders as she racked up three RBIs, two hits and one home run. Freshman first baseman Tayten Moore also turned in a standout performance for Canterbury, collecting three runs, two hits and one RBI, including a triple.
In addition to their hot bats, the Crusaders capitalized on the Lions’ five errors, scoring six unearned runs.
