Beach softball team denied
It was a tough Sunday for the Beach-n-Bonita Senior All Star softball team as they ran into defending champs Lehigh Acres on their own field. The Beach-n-Bonita girls worked hard and fought hard but came up short, losing the first two games to drop a three-game set and send the Lehigh girls on to sectionals.
Pitchers Carly Frazier and Taylor Moser both had good moments, and the Beach-n-Bonita girls made some sterling fielding plays, but the key hits didn’t come. Shortstop Kassidy Lawhon made the play of the day repeatedly, snaring several drives that were destined to be hits but instead died in her glove.
Nerves cost the girls in game 1 as they dug an early 11-0 hole they couldn’t get out of. Game 2 was closer, but a few close ones went the other way, including a line drive hit by Candice Bradshaw that would have plated two runs but fell inches foul. Judie Colon hit the ball well and Kathia Martinez stole a base and scored a run.
But it was a day of ‘almosts’ for the Beach-n-Bonita girls. Allie Ceccardi hit the ball well and almost had two hits. Catcher Kenia Reyes was solid behind the plate. The veteran leadership of Rachel Whitehead at first base and Kristal Santiago at second kept the girls fighting, but it wasn’t to be.
“We had some good moments but ran into a real good Lehigh team,” Manager Charlie Whitehead said. “Mike (Dugout Dad Mike Dagnese) and I worked them hard, and they gave it everything they had. There’s no way to ask for more. I’m very proud of them and I know Mike is too.”