CLERMONT — The Middleburg Broncos softball team’s improbable stampede at the end of the season, culminated into a state championship Friday Night. Middleburg defeated South Lake 1-0 to be crowned Class 5A state champions.
In the top of the fourth inning, Middleburg senior Belle Mincey hit a home run to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead over South Lake. That’s all they would need, as pitcher Mallory Forrester (Flagler softball commit) put on a show in the playoffs, striking out 66 batters and only allowing 13 hits. Backing her up were her teammates, who only allowed 2 runs during the 39 inning span. Forrester would get the shutout in the championship game, capping an incredible stretch of wins for the ladies.
At one point this season, Middleburg (20-11) was 11-11 after a loss to eventual 3A regional finalist Keystone Heights. However, the Broncos experienced an awakening as they went on a 9-game winning streak, all the way to the championship. Wins over Nease (8-2), Riverside (15-0), Ponte Vedra (6-4), and rival Ridgeview (1-0) closed out the regular season and a district championship.
In the playoffs, steaming with confidence, the Broncos busted through playoff teams Vanguard (10-0), Gainesville (5-1), Lincoln (2-1) in 13 innings and a big upset of Naples (1-0) in the final 4.
All year players like freshman Kerra Clarida ( 3HR, 22 RBI), freshman Kaelyn Hagan (36 hits), and Belle Mincey (29 hits) have led the charge at the plate for Middleburg. Handling business on the mound were senior Mallory Forrester’s 251 strikeouts, complimented by sophomore Morgan Beckham’s 110 strikeouts. Middleburg was well represented on the Clay County All Coaches team as KK Hagan, Belle Mincey, Mallory Forrester, Kerra Clarida, and Alyssa Prather all contributed mightily to the team’s success.
With the Middleburg victory, it makes them only the third softball team to win a championship in the area overall. Clay in 2001, Oakleaf and Union County in 2017. Credit goes to head coach Ashley Houston on doing such a great job with a relatively young group of players. They bought into system and the philosophy of ” finishing the assignment” as coach Houston always preached. A team that set out on a mission, and persevered through a mid season slump, to reach the softball summit.
