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State softball semifinals: Class 2A, 3A preview capsules

 
Canterbury's Taylor Bump hits the ball during the Class 2A State softball semifinal, game against Aucilla Christian at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach last season. (Willie J. Allen Jr., Special to the Times)
Canterbury's Taylor Bump hits the ball during the Class 2A State softball semifinal, game against Aucilla Christian at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach last season. (Willie J. Allen Jr., Special to the Times)
Published May 2, 2016

State semifinals

At Historic Dodgertown, Vero Beach

Class 2A

Canterbury (16-10) vs. Aucilla Christian (18-5)

When: 10:35 a.m. Wednesday

How they got here: Canterbury d. Seacrest Country Day 15-0, d. Academy at the Lakes 10-4.; Aucilla Christian d. Peniel Baptist Academy 13-0, d. Gainesville Countryside Christian 13-0.

Top players: Canterbury — SS Taylor Bump, Jr. (.420, 28 RBIs, 12 2Bs); P Ashley Campbell, Jr. (.429, 4.18 ERA, 55 Ks), C Danielle Romanello, Jr., (.606, 31 RBIs, 4 HRs); Aucilla Christian — P Abigail Morgan, So. (.457, 1.09 ERA, 108 Ks); C Kelly Horne (.467, 32 RBIs, 6 HRs).

Outlook: This has become one of the premier rivalries in Class 2A. Two years ago, Canterbury beat Aucilla Christian in the championship to win its second straight title and third in four years. Last season, the Warriors won in the state semifinals en route to a title. The Crusaders have won seven straight and 12 of their past 14 games. The improvement at the end of the season is due in large to the development of pitchers Campbell and Miranda Posey, who split time after ace Kama Woodall transferred to Springstead. Campbell and Posey have combined to allow just four runs in the past four games. Aucilla Christian is without sophomore pitcher Elizabeth Hightower, a Florida commit who tore her ACL earlier this season. Hightower was dominant against Canterbury last season, throwing a two-hit shutout and recording 10 strikeouts. But the Warriors have plenty of top-level pitching. Morgan, a Florida Atlantic commit, has taken over the bulk of the pitching duties and has recorded more than 100 strikeouts in 16 starts. Aucilla Christian has power in its lineup and hit 27 home runs as a team this season. Horne, a Troy commit, leads the way with six.

Class 3A

Admiral Farragut (18-2) vs. Jacksonville University Christian (17-9)

When: 6:05 p.m., Wednesday

How they got here: Admiral Farragut d. Fort Myers Evangelical Christian 12-0, d. Moore Haven 2-1; University Christian d. Rocky Bayou Christian 3-2 (eight innings), d. North Florida Christian 6-3.

Top players: Admiral Farragut — C Alina Dixon, Jr. (.486, 12 RBIs, 29 runs); P Corynn Miner, Sr. (.526, 0.71 ERA, 220 Ks); SS Krystina Hartley, 7th (.458, 23 RBIs, 9 2Bs); University Christian — P Tracy Caccavale, Sr. (.526, 1.50 ERA, 167 Ks); C Kara Eiginger, Sr. (.489, 43 RBIs, 5 HRs); 1B Hannah Roberts, Jr. (.487, 21 RBIs, 11 2Bs)

Outlook: Admiral Farragut is making its first state semifinal appearance. The Blue Jackets have made significant steps in the playoffs, reaching the region semifinals in 2014 and the region final last season. Miner, a Tampa signee, is the team's leader at the plate and on the mound. She has 60 career wins and more than 900 career strikeouts. Another AFA senior, Maiya Fudge, has signed to play at Bethune Cookman. This is University Christian's second straight semifinal appearance. Last season, the Christians lost to eventual state champion Lakeland Christian in the semifinals. It was a tougher road to get back. University Christian was a district runnerup and had to survive a 3-2, eight-inning game against Rocky Bayou Christian in the region semifinals. The Christians have two seniors, Caccavale (Flagler) and Eiginger (Cedarville) who have signed to play in college.