The Ponte Vedra softball team bested Paxon 7-3 in their opening contest of regional play Wednesday, May 8, at the Paxon School in Jacksonville.
Ponte Vedra pitcher Michelle Holder held Paxon to two hits until the last inning, when the Eagles scored three runs. Ponte Vedra attacked early with a bomb launched by Bailey Wagoner in the second, followed by Tara McGee’s line drive that scored the first run.
The third proved fruitful, as Ponte Vera put six on, beginning with Olivia Bruch. Hits by Scotland David and Michelle Leone brought Bruch around; then Catherine Beaton turned a bunt into a base hit, scoring David and advancing Leone to third, while Wagoner launched another that brought Leone home. Holder followed with a blast to center field, sealing a deal that closed six runs for the Sharks.
Ponte Vedra’s last run came in the sixth, as Olivia Zitiello made it to first on an error, and Tara McGee was hit by a pitch. Madison Lucchino laid down an expert bunt to advance the runners to scoring position, while Scotty David scored Zitiello on a line drive to center.
Riding on this momentum, the Sharks will face Ridgeview in the regional finals on Tuesday, May 14 at Ridgeview.
