By Marshall Tempest
Reporter
The Apopka baseball and softball teams are both off to strong starts in the 2025 season. The baseball team is 8-6, and the softball team is 8-1. Let’s check in on our teams coming up at the halfway mark in the season.
Baseball
As of our spring break hiatus, the Blue Darter baseball team is 8-6 and 1-1 in district matchups. The team has won three of their last six games and is ranked 148th in the state, according to MaxPreps as of Monday, March 17. Their wins are over Boone (4–3) on March 3, East River (8–1) on March 7, and The Villages Charter (6–2) on March 12. Their losses were to Timber Creek (4–2) on March 5, Dr. Phillips (5–4) on March 11, and Lake Nona (11–9) on March 13.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the baseball team is its youth. Head coach Bobby Brewer has been vocal about the team’s lack of experience, often likening their journey to on-the-job training. Despite this, the team has shown significant growth and potential, a fact that makes Brewer proud. He believes that as the season progresses, the team will only get better and more consistent.
The boys sit third in the 7A District 3 standings under Lake Brantley and West Orange and above Lake Mary, Ocoee and Seminole, according to MaxPreps as of Monday, March 17.
Aiden Rieli, Wyatt Jaggers, Collin VanFleet, and Reef VanKuren are leading the team at the plate this season. Rieli has a .295 batting average and a .396 on-base percentage, with 12 runs, nine RBIs, two doubles, and 13 hits in 44 at-bats across 14 games. Jaggers boasts a .348 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage, totaling 10 runs, four RBIs, two home runs, and eight hits in 23 at-bats over 13 games. VanFleet has a .233 batting average and a .312 on-base percentage, recording six runs, eight RBIs, one double, and 10 hits in 43 at-bats across 14 games. VanKuren maintains a .333 batting average and a .389 on-base percentage, while collecting six RBIs, one double and 11 hits in 33 at-bats.
Jez Hamrick, Peyton Neeley and Nico Posluszny have also been great contributors for Apopka, combining 13 RBIs, 15 runs, three doubles, and 21 hits.
Logan Page, Camron Pennock and Jaggers have been dominating on the mound for Apopka this season. Page has made the most appearances (six), posting a 2-0 record and two saves with 21 strikeouts and seven walks. He’s allowed just three runs (two earned) and two hits, resulting in an ERA of 1.02 over 13 2/3 innings pitched.
Pennock has appeared on the mound five times, going 1-2 with one save, 23 strikeouts and nine walks. He’s given up seven runs (two earned) and six hits, leading to an ERA of 1.08 in 13 innings.
Jaggers has taken the mound four times for Apopka, securing a 2-1 record with 17 strikeouts and eight walks. He’s permitted nine runs (five earned) and 19 hits, with an ERA of 1.64 in 21.1 innings.
Apopka’s defense has also been impressive, combining for a .902 team fielding percentage and 284 putouts on 315 total chances.
The Blue Darters have been aggressive on the base paths, stealing 41 bases this season for an average of 2.93 stolen bases a game.
Softball
The Apopka softball team has been on a winning streak this season, with a record of 8-1 and a perfect 3-0 record in district matchups. The team’s only loss was to Eustis (14-10) on March 5. The girls sit atop the 7A District 3 stands, above Lake Brantley, Ocoee, Seminole, and Lake Mary. According to MaxPreps, as of Monday, March 17, Apopka is ranked 76th in the state.
Last week, head coach Mike MacWithey told me this might be the best team he’s had since he started as a coach at Apopka in 1983. He pointed to the Blue Darter’s performance at the plate and said they have never had this many home runs (11) this early in the season.
Taylor Smith, Ava Gonzalez, Shylah Pino and Riley Ford are leading the Blue Darters at the plate. Smith boasts a .679 batting average and a .722 on-base percentage, with 21 runs, 21 RBIs, one double, two triples, four home runs, and 19 hits in 28 at-bats.
Gonzalez has a .522 batting average and a .556 on-base percentage, recording 11 runs, 15 RBIs, two doubles, two home runs, and 12 hits in 23 at-bats. Pino has a .367 batting average and a .457 on-base percentage, tallying 18 runs, six RBIs, one double, and 11 hits in 30 at-bats. Ford maintains a .667 batting average and a .667 on-base percentage, with six runs, 11 RBIs, two doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 10 hits in 15 at-bats.
Sydney Bartkin, Alicia Lopez and Reese Kernz have also been run-producers for the loaded Apopka lineup, combining for 22 RBIs, 30 runs, seven doubles, two home runs and 29 hits.
Apopka has also stolen 55 bases for an average of 6.11 stolen bases a game.
Ava Millspaugh and Bartkin have been phenomenal on the mound for the Blue Darters. Millspaugh is the team’s ace pitcher and has proven it this season. Millspaugh has appeared nine times for Apopka, accumulating one win, 38 strikeouts and 11 walks. She has allowed 18 runs (11 earned) and 23 hits, leading to an ERA of 2.51 over 30 2/3 innings. Bartkin has appeared five times for the Blue Darters, recording one win, nine strikeouts and four walks. She has given up six runs (five earned) and 10 hits, posting an ERA of 2.63 over 13 1/3 innings.
This season, Apopka has a .938 fielding percentage with 135 putouts on 210 total chances. The Blue Darters have accumulated 62 assists, three double plays, and 13 errors in nine games.
