By Marshall Tempest
Apopka Chief Staff
The Apopka Blue Darters softball squad was supposed to have a home game against Ocoee on Tuesday, February 13, but due to scheduling problems with OCPS were unable to pass inspection in time for the game.
But all was not lost as the game was pushed back to 7:00 and relocated to Ocoee High School where the Darters would face off against the Knights for their first preseason game.
While it was a preseason game, I’m sure the girls were as ready and raring to go as they could be, and might be ready to play with a bit of a chip on their shoulder because they aren’t playing at their brand-new home field. It’s easy for me to say it was a great night at the plate for the Darters, and from what parents were telling me, it gets better.
Apopka started the top of the first at-bat, and, within two batters, had two outs. It was Taylor Smith on a two-strike count for the Darters who secured the first base on a hit to center midfield that rolled toward the fence before getting scooped up. Then Sarah Sosa batted in Smith for Apopka’s first run of the night on her trip to the plate.
Jaylen Gonzalez was the next to bring another for Apopka as she smacked the ball to get on base and secure a point courtesy of Sosa. The next batter sent the ball straight to first base where a Knight was able to make a quick play and snag it out of the air for Apopka’s third out of the inning as they switched.
The bottom of the first went well for Apopka as they allowed a base from a hit that was sent to third and just barely got by the Darter on third base. It was Avery Ashford who secured the third out to shut down the building Ocoee attack and end the first inning.
Apopka was up 2-0 going into the second inning and was hitting well as they did all night but couldn’t get anything to turn into runs. The second inning ended for Ocoee the same as the first did as they couldn’t secure any runs.
Apopka was able to turn in another run in the third inning and propelled themselves to 3-0 before the change went into the bottom of the third. Defensively, the third was trouble for Apopka as at one point the bases were set to be loaded with one on the way home. But a double play from Apopka getting one out at home that would have resulted in a run otherwise and then to first base to get the batter out shut out the danger from Ocoee.
The third inning ended with Apopka still ahead 3-0 after a touch-and-go inning fielding-wise.
In the fourth, Apopka exploded for three more runs as they cleaned up the preseason game early. The fifth inning for Apopka was nothing exciting, but they sure didn’t slow down. Their hitting stayed solid and the fielding and pitching had gotten stronger all night.
The fourth and fifth innings for Ocoee were much like the ones before as Apopka polished up their fielding as the night went on Ocoee’s attack didn’t get much working for them. The game ended with Apopka up 6-0 for an easy victory in their first preseason game of the 2024 campaign.
Read the full story starting on page 1B in the Friday, February 16 issue of The Apopka Chief.
The Apopka Chief and The Planter are weekly community newspapers, independently owned and family operated, that have served the greater Apopka area in Central Florida since 1923 and 1965 respectively.
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