Softball: Wednesday’s 3A 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 buses. 

Academy of the Holy Names (17-5) vs. Miami Westminster Christian (23-6), 2

How they got here: Academy of the Holy Names d. Parrish Community 8-0, d. Calvary Christian 8-0 (eight innings), d. Lakeland McKeel Academy 5-0. Westminster Christian d. Miami Ransom Everglades 15-0, d. Miami Somerset Academy 16-5, d. West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 17-9. 

Outlook: Since taking over last year, Jeff Krone has gone a combined 25-6 with the Jaguars and led them to a No. 1 ranking in the state by MaxPreps each of the last two seasons. All six losses during that span were to playoff teams. Playing such a competitive schedule has paid off. Academy of the Holy Names is on a 12-game win streak and is playing in the state semifinals for the first time since 2017. After sharing time on the mound throughout the regular season, Belle Sardja has taken over the workload in the playoffs. The senior has thrown three straight shutouts against quality opponents to help the Jaguars get to the final four. The Warriors, ranked third in the state by MaxPreps, have won five straight, including the past three by a combined   

Team leaders

CategoryAcademy of the Holy NamesWestminster Christian
Batting averageRachael Petrarca .478Hailey Donovan .505
RBIsBelle Sardja 20Hailey Donovan 51
Home runsRachael Petrarca 3Hailey Donovan 16
ERAKeala Hollenkamp 1.47Madeline Diaz 2.24
StrikeoutsBelle Sardja 84Isabella Artiles 131