ECS softball walks off against University Christian for 2A title behind Yzaguirre no-hitter

Almost a year after falling to University Christian in the Class 2A state championship game, the Evangelical Christian School softball team got the better of the rematch.

In bottom of the seventh with one out, Kee Green laid down a bunt and motored to first base for the Sentinels' second hit of the game. The next batter, 13-year-old Payton Billie, chopped a pitch down the third base line, giving Green the green light — the sophomore sped down the base paths to home plate, walking it off for the 1-0 victory.

ECS head coach Johnny Manetta described Green as a "cheetah on first base."

"We were either going to win it or get thrown out at home," he said.

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The groundwork for Wednesday's win was laid by the stellar play of starting pitcher Zoe Yzaguirre, who came out on top of an intense pitching duel against University's Sophia Kardatzke. Yzaguirre tossed a third consecutive complete-game no-hitter, striking out 11 batters and walking just one.

"She left it all on the field as you expect a senior to do," Manetta said. "It takes a lot of guts, it takes a lot of preparation, it takes a lot of wanting it for the kids and for her teammates, and she’s been something special."

Since the end of the regular season, the Sentinels have allowed just one run with Yzaguirre starting. She recorded 76 strikeouts through seven games.

Each season of her high school career, Yzaguirre led the Sentinels to one round further in the postseason, culminating in a state championship against a University Christian squad that beat ECS 3-2 in the title game last season.

"Every year was a progression, and to watch her go through that was incredible," Manetta said. "Very thankful I get the opportunity to be on that journey with her."

Kardatzke, whom Manetta described as a "bull in the circle," was nearly as effective with 8 strikeouts, giving up just one hit through the first six innings.

Yzaguirre and Kardatzke were former teammates on Manetta's travel ball team, Rock Gold.

"They’re really good friends," Manetta said. "To watch them go back and forth against each other was pretty awesome."

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All it took for the Sentinels to get the edge was one hit in the right moment — and a bit of speed didn't hurt.

Manetta told Green in the dugout to attempt a bunt if she got a chance. She followed through with the perfect dink as the ball died in the sand and she sprinted to first base, giving ECS a rare opportunity.

Manetta wanted Green to steal second, but Billie, an eighth grader, stepped up before that plan could unfold.

Billie swung hard on the delivery from Kardatzke, catching the top of the ball and sending it spinning over the third baseman's head.

"All she has done since she was inserted in the starting lineup is hit," Manetta said of Billie.

After Green booked it home, the team erupted in a joyous celebration, bouncing up and down until they collapsed as the ECS fans who traveled to Clermont cheered them on.

"Super happy for the kids, it’s all about them," Manetta said.

The state title is the first in school history for the ECS softball team. Manetta previously led Fort Myers teams to two state titles and decided to take over as the Sentinels head coach in 2021.

"The one thing that I truly enjoy about this one is I get to do it with so many different types of kids," he said.

"The young kids get the opportunity to sit and watch and learn from the older girls and learn the work ethic and learn what it takes to win at this level. I'm trying to build the program from the youngest up to oldest, and, right now, it’s working."

ECS Championship Roster

Hayden Billie

Paizley Billie

Payton Billie

Kiley Davie

Taylor Davison

Kee Green

Anayeli Guzman

Makayla Jakubuwski

Hailey Mejia

Karsyn Mootz

Kylie Shaw

Mackenzie Thompson

Angelina Yzaguirre

Riley Yzaguirre

Samantha Yzaguirre

Zoe Yzaguirre

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: ECS softball walks off against University Christian for 2A title behind Yzaguirre no-hitter