22-05-2025
Somerset Silver Palms softball advances to state final; Miami Christian falls in semi
Somerset Silver Palms' softball team has become a regular at the state final four over the past three seasons.
But the Stallions have yet to capture that elusive first state championship.
Playing at a new site this season, Somerset is hoping for a new result.
The Stallions moved halfway to that goal on Wednesday with a dominant 9-2 win over Dunedin in a Class 3A state semifinal at Boombah Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
Top-seeded Somerset Silver Palms (23-6) advanced to the state final for the second time in three seasons and faces Eustis on Thursday night at 6:30. Eustis (23-4) is playing at state for the third time in five seasons and looking to win back-to-back state titles.
Sophomore Ava Stevens pitched a complete game, allowing two runs - both in the seventh inning after the Stallions had built a 9-0 lead. She gave up four hits and struck out seven with no walks.
Brigitte Valdera led Somerset offensively, going 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI while freshman Carley Hernandorena also drove in two runs. Taylor Rebhan went 1 for 3 and scored two runs.
Class 1A state semifinal - Geneva 10, Miami Christian 7: The Victors, who made it to the state semifinals in softball for the first time in the 70-year history of the school, fell behind to Geneva 8-0 following the top-half of the first inning. But the Victors fought back with Maria Hernandez's two-run homer in the bottom of the frame.
Miami Christian trailed 10-3 heading into the final three outs of the game, but the Victors did not go down quietly, scoring four times in the bottom of the seventh.
In the end, it was not enough as Miami Christian finished with a 16-9 record under coach Pio Herrera.
Miami Christian's standouts this season were junior pitcher Renata Silvas, who won all 16 games and hit .480; and senior first baseman Camila Holguin, who hit .430 with eight homers.
Janelle Dominguez, Miami Christian's assistant coach and a former college catcher, said the Victors had just 10 players earlier this season and finished with only nine.
'Nobody has the heart these girls have,' Dominguez said.
Asked what she thinks will happen next year, Dominguez said: 'Make it back to state and win it – hopefully with more than nine players.'
WALTER VILLA
