The area’s softball landscape in 2024 was a bit of a rocky one.
Three of the six Sun Preps teams ended their seasons under .500, with the three squads that finished above the .500 mark failing to hoist a district championship trophy.
A closer look at what transpired for some of the area’s teams late in their respective seasons will tell you that more success was within reach.
Charlotte was the area’s best team, sporting a 17-10 record, as well as the reigning Sun Preps softball Player of the Year in Amber Chumley.
The Tarpons had a loaded lineup and a pitching rotation that got the job done more often than not, helping them win 11 of 13 heading into their district championship against Riverdale.
The Tarpons did eventually lose in extra innings in both the district title game, and the regional quarterfinal against Wiregrass Ranch, but it’s still hard to ignore what head coach Dave Anthony put together this season.
Like Charlotte, Venice — which finished its season at 13-11 — lost in heartbreaking fashion during the postseason.
The Indians were upset by a 6-21 Lakewood Ranch team in the district championship, losing 4-3, and falling out of regional play in the process.
In Englewood, Lemon Bay dealt with injuries and bad luck for a lot of the season, but still qualified for regional play despite its 8-12 record.
Elsewhere, DeSoto County put together a winning season with a trio of productive players in Carlisha Redden, Erin Jones and Daysha Izzaguire.
And lastly, Port Charlotte and North Port combined to go just 12-37, but the Pirates — POY finalist Jaylin Pinedo — and Bobcats — first-teamer Cailinne Kelly — had a number of fun players to watch throughout the year.
FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
AMBER CHUMLEY
Senior, Charlotte
The reigning Sun Preps POY is threatening to win the award for the second time after another dazzling season for the Tarpons.
Chumley batted .433 — the second-best of any starter in the area — knocking in 19 RBIs to compliment her 10 extra-base hits. Chumley also sported a 1.063 OPS and led the team with 11 stolen bases.
She recorded at least one hit in 21 of the team’s 27 contests, and she also got it done in the infield, posting a .916 fielding percentage.
JAYLIN PINEDO
Junior, Port Charlotte
Pinedo was the area’s best power hitter, slugging five home runs to go along with an area-leading 22 RBIs.
She led the area with a .441 batting average, too, and had a knack for getting to second base with her team-leading 12 doubles.
Pinedo had two or more RBIs in seven contests this past season, including a three-game stretch during April where she combined for two home runs and eight RBIs.
ZOEY LYNN
Senior, Venice
Lynn was a senior leader for the Indians in the circle and in the batter’s box.
At the plate, Lynn led the team with 17 RBIs, adding six extra-base hits throughout the season.
In the field as a first baseman, Lynn had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, as she didn’t give up a single error all year for Venice.
Additionally, Lynn did a lot of good things as a pitcher, going 3-0 with a 2.71 ERA. Her best outing was on April 30 against Sarasota, when she pitched a complete game, allowing just two hits and one earned run in the 5-1 win.
FIRST TEAM, CONTINUED
LEXI FITZGERALD
Senior, Charlotte
Fitzgerald was second for the Tarpons in both batting average (.381) and on-base percentage (.454). She also led the team in extra-base hits (12), home runs (3) and was tied with Chumley for first in runs batted in with 19.
DAVA HOFFER
Junior, Charlotte
Hoffer was a key component at the plate and in the circle for Charlotte. Hoffer batted .316, homered twice and drove in 19 during 79 at-bats. With the glove on her hand, the junior was 11-7 with a 2.19 earned run average to go with 73 strikeouts.
DAYSHA IZAGUIRRE
Senior, DeSoto County
Izaguirre had one of the best batting averages in the area, sitting at .404 to end the season. She also led the Bulldogs in hits with 21 and RBIs with 15.
TAYLOR JONES
Junior, Lemon Bay
Jones led the Mantas in every statistical category, collecting a home run with 14 RBIs and eight extra-base hits. Her .377 batting average was tops on the team by more than 60 points.
CAILINNE KELLY
Junior, North Port
Kelly led the Bobcats in batting average (.389) and extra-base hits (nine), while smashing a couple homers and collecting 13 RBIs. Kelly’s OPS was a whopping 1.111.
MARISSA MUZIO
Senior, Charlotte
Muzio was a key piece within Charlotte’s strong batting lineup. The senior collected nine extra-base hits, leading the team with five triples on the season. She was one of five players with a batting average over .300 for the Tarpons, driving in double-digit RBIs with 12.
ALEXIS PUGA
Senior, Port Charlotte
The Port Charlotte senior was the team’s second-best hitter in every category behind only POY finalist Pinedo. Puga hit three homers and drove in 16, with a .364 batting average and a 1.025 OPS.
CARLISHA REDDEN
Senior, DeSoto County
Redden led the Bulldogs in runs scored (19), finishing with two home runs and 12 RBIs. Her speed was an issue for opposing teams as well, leading DeSoto County with 13 stolen bases.
KAYLIN “KK” SMITH
Junior, Venice
Smith was consistent for the Indians in the batter’s box, leading the team in batting average (.380) and hits (30). She also led the team in runs scored with 21 and nabbed 12 stolen bases along the way.
RAIONNA SMITH
Junior, Venice
Smith was second for the Indians with a .366 batting average, blasting one home run and driving in 13 in the process. She finished tied for second on the team with 26 hits and added four doubles.
SAVANNAH TAYLOR
Sophomore, Lemon Bay
Taylor is one of Lemon Bay’s many outstanding sophomore players. The outfielder was second on the team in batting average (.333) and doubles (5)
SECOND TEAM
Brooklyn Anderson, Port Charlotte
Lauren Boff, North Port
Nyah Carson, Lemon Bay
Mia Flores, Charlotte
Erin Jones, DeSoto County
Kaitlin Kohlenberg, North Port
Layne Preece, Venice
Myah Purdy, Venice
Addi Recker, Charlotte
Riley Sullivan, Venice
Joni Taylor, DeSoto County
Mackenzie Vaughan, Lemon Bay
Brianna Weidner, Port Charlotte
Lauren Wise, Lemon Bay
COACH OF THE YEAR
DAVE ANTHONY
Charlotte
Anthony pushed the Tarpons out of a rut after starting the season at 6-6. Charlotte went on to win 11 of 13, coming up just short in extra innings in both the district title and regional quarterfinal.
It was the third straight season Anthony led Charlotte to an above-.500 record.
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