KEY WEST, MARATHON SOFTBALL CRUISE TOWARD DISTRICTS

Lady Conchs ranked first in 4A District 16 bracket

The Lady Conchs softball team picked up a road win against Westminster Christian on April 21, beating the Warriors 14-8. Chloe Gilday earned the win, pitching 5-2/3 innings and striking out five. Nevaeh Arnold closed the game, striking out another three batters over 1-1/3 innings. Ty Cervantes led the offense for Key West with three hits, including a double. Dharma Murray, Caroline Smith, Isabella Franco and Tavyn Gage each picked up a pair of hits and Miesha Hernandez, Scarlet Niles and Madelyn Perusse added one each to make it 14 total for Key West.

The 14-3 Conchs play their last regular season game at Western High School in Davie on Friday, April 28. They should claim a bye in the first round of the district tournament, placing them in the 4A District 16 championship game on May 4 if they can hold onto their top seed.

Marathon softball split a pair of games last week, picking up a forfeit win from Hialeah Educational Academy but falling to Gulliver 9-4 on April 17. The Lady Fins managed eight hits in the loss, with three from the bat of Elena Eubank. Sage Brown had two hits and Sara Robinson, Allison Garcia and Eli Roque each had one hit. Garcia was solid in the circle in the loss for Marathon, pitching to 30 batters over six innings and striking out nine while walking just two. The 7-4 Fins will play two more games before districts begin. Their first playoff game should be on May 2 in 2A District 16 action.

Coral Shores beat Mater Bay at home on April 19, 17-15. Freshman Ivy Tiedemann had four hits on four plate appearances for the ’Canes. Coach Lesa Boneé said the team hit the ball well but struggled defensively. The Lady Hurricanes played the next day, losing 9-3 against Ransom Everglades on April 20. The ’Canes ended their regular season with a 5-6 record. The Hurricanes will host the South Florida conference championship game against Mater Bay on Friday, April 28 at 5 p.m.