![MDCA’s Sammi Thomas (12) runs for second base Wednesday's Class 2A-Region 2 quarterfinal game Deltona Trinity Christian Academy in Mount Dora. The Bulldogs won 4-0.[PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/05/10/NDAC/1bf4d6f0-97ac-43b9-94f0-f6444ed8e99c-FL_LEE_mdcasoft-0181.JPG?width=660&height=489&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Five area baseball and softball teams remain in the running for Final Four berths, heading into this week’s Florida High School Athletic Association regional semifinals.
Eustis, Mount Dora Christian Academy and East Ride represent Lake County on the softball field in Tuesday’s games, while MDCA and Eustis are preparing for second-round baseball games.
Of the five games across two sports involving teams from Lake County, East Ridge’s softball team has the only home game. The Knights, with a 20-7 record, will welcome Winter Garden West Orange (16-12 record) to the Dungeon.
A victory against the Warriors, which won back-to-back Class 9A state titles in 2016 and 2017, would propel the Knights into Friday’s regional championship game against Lakewood Ranch or Newsome. The location for that game will be decided following Tuesday’s contests.
Also on the softball field, MDCA will hit the road to face Orlando Christian Prep in a Class 2A-Region 2 contest. The game will be played at 4:30 p.m. at the Azalea Park Little League complex in Orlando — 1 Carol Avenue.
The Bulldogs, 18-8 on the season, have won four straight games and 11 of their last 12.
Bulldogs win regional opener:MDCA blanks Trinity Christian in Class 2A-2 softball quarterfinals
Game time and location for the game had not been decided as of Monday morning, according to OCP officials.
A win against the Warriors and MDCA would play in Friday’s regional championship against Melbourne Holy Trinity Episcopal or Seffner Christian.
Lake County’s third softball representative — Eustis — will made a trek to Rockledge for its Class 4A-Region 2 semifinal contest. The Panthers, 23-1 on the season, advanced to the regional semifinals with an 11-0 win against Merritt Island in the quarterfinals.
A victory against Rockledge would give the Panthers home-field advantage for Friday’s regional championship game against Belleview or Inverness Citrus.
The winners in Friday’s regional finals will advance to the FHSAA championships. The state semifinals and finals will be held May 18-22 at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont.
On the baseball diamond, MDCA will travel to Maitland for a Class 2A-Region 2 semifinal clash Wednesday against Orangewood Christian. The Bulldogs advanced with a 15-0 shellacking in four innings of Winter Park Geneva in Friday’s regional quarterfinals.
Bulldogs cruise in regional quarters:MDCA overpowers Geneva in 2A-2 quarterfinals
MDCA — 20-6 on the season — has won 12 straight games; it’s last loss was a 9-1 road decision on March 30 against Orangewood Christian.
If victorious, the Bulldogs will play Saturday for the regional championship against Seffner Christian or Winter Haven All Saints’ Academy. The site of that game will be decided after Wednesday’s games.
In Class 4A-Region 2, Eustis takes a 12-17 record into Wednesday’s game at Orlando Bishop Moore. The Panthers knocked off Inverness Citrus 4-3 Thursday in its regional quarterfinal game.
Bishop Moore, winners of Class 4A-District 6, blanked Tavares 8-0 in the regional quarterfinals.
A win against the Hornets — the teams’ split two previous matchups this season — and the Panthers will travel to Rockledge or Brooksville Nature Coast on May 19 to play for the regional championship.
Regional champions will advance to the FHSAA state championships, set for May 19-22 and May 24-26 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
Area Top 5 standouts in class 2A, 3A track finals
The Montverde Academy girls track and field team posted a strong third-place finish Saturday at the FHSAA Class 2A state finals at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
The Eagles boys team was nearly as strong, with 29 points, good for fifth place.
Champions:Mount Dora Christian Academy boys win Class 1 title at state track and field finals
Lily Henne paced the girls team by winning the state title at 1,600 meters. A junior, Henne cruised to a nearly 3-second victory, stopping the clock in 5 minutes, 1.77 seconds.
Henne’s teammate, senior Kendyl Cardwell, was fourth in 5:07.02.
At 3,200 meters, Henne finished second with a time of 11:05.19.
In the girls pole vault, Montverde Academy senior Kai Eisenhardt finished second with a top height of 11 feet, 3.75 inches. Eisenhardt tied for top height with gold medalist Audrey Wuerffel of Jacksonville Bolles; however, Wuerffel won on the basis of fewer misses leading up the top height.
Ashley Conklin, a junior at Montverde Academy, finished third in the event at 10’4”.
The Villages’ Alanis Teets posted the only other top 5 finish among local competitor in the girls meet with third place finish in the discus — 125 feet, 5 inches.
In the boys 2A finals, Montverde Academy’s Weston Baptiste won the 400-meter dash, stopping the clock in 47 seconds. Weston also finished fifth at 200 meters with a time of 21:73 seconds.
In the pole vault, Alex Georgiev of Monteverde Academy picked up a gold medal with a height of 15-3. Georgiev finished tied with Orlando Bishop Moore for top height, but won on the basis of fewer misses.
On Friday, in the girls Class 3A finals, South Lake’s Cassie Thompson finished fourth at 100 meters with a time of 11.72 seconds.
Local gym hosting summer football showcase
Alleyne Athletics will hold a showcase for area football players in June at Mount Dora Christian Academy.
The first annual Alleyne Athletics Summter Showcase is set for 9 a.m. until noon on June 5 at Bulldogs Stadium. Registration for the showcase is $25 and deadline to register is May 21.
Players in grade six through 12 will be tested in a variety of combine-related activities, including 40-yard dash, pro agility, L-cone, broad jump and vertical jump. In addition, there will be one-on-one challenges, including offensive linemen vs. defensive linemen, tight ends and running backs vs. linebackers, and wide receivers facing off against defensive backs.
Josef Alleyne, a former standout at MDCA and owner of Tavares-based Alleyne Athletics, said interested players can register at alleyneathletics.com. Alleyne said area coaches will be part of the combine and members of various recruiting are expected to be on hand.
“This summer showcase allows athletes to see where they stack up against their peers and get baseline numbers on their athleticism so that they may work to improved on the areas they were deficient in,” said Alleyne.
In addition to the myriad drills. Alleyne said there will be raffles with prizes held during water breaks and there will be vendors on hand.
For more information, contact Alleye Athletics at 352-321-2222, [email protected], or alleyneathletics.com.
This week’s schedule
(all games 7 p.m. unless noted)
Softball
Tuesday
Class 2A-Region 2
MDCA vs. Orlando Christian Prep, 4:30 p.m., Azalea Park Little League complex, Orlando
Class 4A-Region 2
Eustis at Rockledge
Class 7A-Region 3
Winter Garden West Orange at East Ridge
Baseball
Wednesday
Class 4A-Region 2
Eustis at Orlando Bishop Moore
Class 2A-Region 2
MDCA at Maitland Orangewood Christian
