As the players for American High’s softball team compete in summer travel league play for the Optimist Club of Miami Lakes, the girls can’t help but to reflect on the 2017 season.
The Patriots won their eighth consecutive district championship, upset several top ranked teams and a pitcher put on an amazing performance that earned her All-State and All-Dade honors.
Albeit their season was marked by injuries, the Patriots still managed to record impressive numbers and victories while playing some of the best state and county-ranked teams American placed on its schedule since they were the measuring stick for toughness.
The Patriots upset then-No. 1-ranked Palmetto High in the season opener, and defeated Pines Charter, which was ranked third in Broward County, to win their first-ever Speedball Tournament Championship.
Though American lost to Coral Gables in the regionals, the players and coaches said 2017 was by far the best season (13-7-1) in recent memory, which serves as an inspiration for summer league play.
In the regional quarterfinals, the Patriots dominated Miami Beach, 15-0, with ace pitcher Ashley Alfonso leading the way with five strike outs in three innings of work, batting in three RBIs on offense.
For the season, Alfonso registered a 14-2 record, 137 strikeouts and an 1.34 ERA, earning her First Team All-Dade and All-State honors.
Most of the girls on the team attribute their success to playing at the Optimist Club since the age of 8, including Melanie Arauz, Tyenna Colon, Erika Castroman, Karla Soza, Yanelys Fernandez and Ashleigh Acosta.