High school softball: Middleburg edges South Lake 1-0 for Class 5A state championship

CLERMONT — Softball can be a cruel game.

South Lake learned that lesson the hard way Friday night in the FHSAA Class 5A state championship game.

Eagles pitcher Alanna O’Brien tossed a one-hitter, but the hit — a fourth-inning homer by Belle Mincey — proved one hit too many and Middleburg pitcher Mallory Forrester escaped a bases loaded jam in the seventh inning to give the Broncos a 1-0 win at Legends Way Ball Fields.

The win represented the first state championship in the sport in Middleburg school history. It was also South Lake’s first appearance in the title game.

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“Our girls have continued to battle all year and believe in what we do,” said Middleburg coach Ashley Houston. “We’ve played tough and our girls have continued to battle and believe in what we’re doing.  They’ve also learned how one at bat can change an entire game.

“Our motto all year has been ‘Finish the Assignment’ and what better way to finish it than to win a state championship.”

Belle Mincey's blast was all Middleburg needed

Mincey's long fly was probably the only mistake thrown by O'Brien. Against Mincey, the junior right-hander left a pitch up and in the strike zone and Mincey blasted it over the center-field fence to lead off the fourth inning.

Mincey's blast was the only hit the Broncos (20-11) had in its last two games. The Broncos were no-hit by Naples in Thursday's state semifinals, but still managed to win 1-0.

“I never would’ve believed anyone if they had told me we’d have one hit in two games and be champions,” said Houston. “I’m so proud to be the coach of this team and these girls. They never quit competing and this is the reward for their hard work and their grittiness.”

Aside from the one pitch to Mincey, O'Brien was brilliant. She allowed only two baserunners — including Mincey — over seven innings and struck out four.

O'Brien retired the final 12 batters she faced in what will likely go down as one of the best championship game pitching performances in FHSAA history.

“Alanna came out and was ready to play,” said South Lake coach Kahley Armstrong. “She’s been battling a couple of injuries the last couple of weeks, but she was so ready to play and was magnificent. I think we might’ve felt the pressure a bit and that affected us, and that’s something we’ll learn from.

“We needed to pressure on their defense and we just didn’t do it by getting a big hit when we needed one.”

The Eagles managed five hits off Broncos starter Mallory Forrester and had runners in scoring position in each of the last four innings. Each time, however, Forrester managed to escape unscathed, including the seventh, when South Lake left the bases loaded.

For the game, South Lake went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

In addition to allowing five hits, Forrester walked two and struck out 10.

Three of South Lake's hits — one each by Ella Carroll, Payton Parkes and Kyla Leppin — went for two bases.

South Lake wrapped its campaign with a 19-12 mark.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: High school softball: Middleburg edges South Lake for 5A state title