by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
Clermont’s Real Life Christian Academy girls’ varsity softball team is on track to set a historical winning season this year. The Raptors are currently 10-2 in the regular season with an impressive 12-2 record, including pre-season wins.
The team, which is led by seasoned coach Jeff Carney, just completed a long stretch of away games in the Sunshine State Athletic Association League. After playing teams in Leesburg, Lake Buena Vista, Ocala Christian, Hernando Christian and CFCA Orlando, just to name a few, the team will now enjoy six weeks of home-scheduled games at Clermont’s Legends Way Ballpark, 2350 Legends Way.
Head Coach Carney credits the team’s huge season of success to the girls’ offensive talents and lead pitcher Daniella Delgadillo’s stellar pitching ability. Delgadillo, a 16-year-old junior at Real Life Christian Academy, is credited for striking out 50+% of the batters that she faces. She has struck out 67 batters, allowing only 24 hits and issued just 18 walks, contributing to an impressive 3.65 ERA during this season. “Daniella’s dad, Louis, works with her a lot in pitching practice during her downtime. I allow Louis to help call pitches to his daughter from the dugout or the fence line if he sees a pattern in the batter’s habits,” says Coach Carney.
The team, composed of 14 players, has seven players who have a batting average over .400 each with 203 runs scored, not counting pre-season statistics. The team also has 3 additional players who are batting an average at .700+. In combination, the team has outscored opponents 173-64.
At last count, Emma Lowe leads the team with 25 hits, 21 RBI’s and 20 runs scored through the first 10 games. Lowe is averaging .625 at the batter’s plate.
Another vital player to the team is catcher Rylee Lyon, a freshman this year, who has a batting average of .762, with 18 RBI’s and 19 runs scored. “Rylee and Daniella make a great pitcher-catcher duo. They play well together and know each other’s next move every step of the way,” says Coach Carney.
“We have a stellar roster of players with no seniors graduating this year. With a team of seven middle school-aged girls and seven high school-aged girls coming back, we should have another awesome season next year. I cannot wait for that time to get here,” says Coach Carney.
The Raptors will be playing in the Sunshine State Athletic Association Tournament beginning April 11 through April 12. Visit www.rlcacademy.com for a full listing of game locations and times.
(Photo Credits- Kristen Anderson)
