Softball: Class 2A state semifinal preview

Softball state semifinals

All games at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. Admission is $9 in advance, $12 on the day of the event. Parking is $10 for cars, $25 for busses. 

Canterbury (21-9) vs. Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (17-11), 7

How they got here: Canterbury d. Seven Rivers Christian 4-0, d. Academy at the Lakes 15-0, d. Fort Myers Evangelical Christian 9-3. Westminster Academy d. Homestead Colonial Christian 21-1, d. Miami Florida Christian 8-7 (11 innings), d. Fort Pierce John Carroll 11-6 (eight innings). 

Outlook: The Crusaders, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, played a brutal regular season schedule that included nearly 20 games against teams that made the playoffs this year. That caliber of competition helped Canterbury get back to the state semifinals for the first time since 2017. The Crusaders have won four state titles, the most in bay area history. Each of those title teams had young players who developed into standouts under coach Jody Moore’s tutelage. This year’s team is no different. The roster has just one senior (Sarah Young) and includes two freshmen (Payton Cushman and Irianis Garcia) and three eighth-graders (Sammy Beltran, Gisselle De Meyer and Morgen Talley). The biggest bat in the lineup belongs to Talley. She ranks third in the state with 15 homers and 11th in RBIs with 44. The Lions, ranked No. 9 in 2A by MaxPreps. They have won four straight games, three of which were decided in extra innings.  

Team leaders

CategoryCanterburyWestminster Academy
Batting averagePayton Cushman .424Kamryn Casey .500
RBIsMorgen Talley 44Dianna Montidoro 30
Home runsMorgen Talley 15Kamryn Casey 2
ERAMackenzie Bergstrom 2.15Dianna Montidoro 4.45
StrikeoutsMorgen Talley 112Dianna Montidoro 66