- July 14, 2025
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As the calendar flips to July and the dog days of summer get into full swing, the only thing that’s hotter than the scorching weather in West Orange and Southwest Orange County is the play of the area’s Little League baseball and softball teams.
With three all-star teams crowned Florida Little League Section 5 Champions in their respective divisions — Windermere Little League’s 8-10U baseball all-stars, Major League softball all-stars and Dr. Phillips Little League’s Senior League softball all-stars — the area is being well-represented at the various Little League state championship tournaments this summer. DPLL’s all-star softball team fell in its state championship tournament held in Plant City from June 27 to 29, after losing three of its four games, while the WLL baseball all-stars are slotted to fight for their division’s state title from July 11 to 13 in Freeport.
“It’s incredibly rewarding,” said Roger Heinz, Windermere Little League 8-10U baseball all-stars coach. “To see these 10-year-olds playing for a state title is a testament to their hard work, grit and love for the game. It’s rare to get a group this focused and determined at such a young age and we’re just so proud to still be playing meaningful baseball in July.”
Rex Smith, Windermere Little League Major League softball all-stars coach, echoed Heinz’s feelings about being able to continue competing this deep into the summer. His group of 10 to 12 year olds will play for a state championship July 11 to 13 in Land ‘O Lakes.
“I’m so happy for the team and that the girls get this opportunity to compete in the state tournament,” Smith said. “It’s different than any other event, knowing that one team moves on and it will be the end for all the other teams. This WLL team is very talented and we know if we play well, we have a shot to win it and go on to Regionals.”
To accomplish what Smith has led two other Windermere Little League softball all-star teams to in the past — state championships — means more to this group than the hardware that comes with it, the motivation for this Major League division squad is the additional time they get to spend together playing the sport they love.
“All-Star teams are very unique because you bring a group of girls together and start playing in such a short period of time,” Smith said. “It all feels very temporary. Then, as soon as you lose, that team will never get to play together again. The girls have built something very special this summer that they know won’t last forever, but we also know if we play well, we get to extend our time together.”
So far, thanks to the time and effort put in by these players, that’s exactly what Smith’s bunch have been able to do, win ball games.
“Several of the players on this team played for their high school teams, while also playing travel tournaments and playing Little League,” Smith said. “They have all been going five to seven days a week since January. I love that they’re asking me to practice more, so I know they are having a great time and enjoying the time together. They all put in time on their own in workouts too. I’m just so proud to see such a young group of girls take the sport so seriously.”
In their limited time together this group of WLL all-stars have been dominant on the field, not falling behind once to their opponents across the five games they’ve played, thanks in large part to their outstanding defense that’s led by Elin Gunkel in the circle and Emily Visser behind the plate, with Ella Goldberg and Alexis Visser serving as additional pitching options.
On offense, the Windermere bats have been electric with lightning quick leadoff hitter Abby Bonnett — the team’s leader in runs scored — setting the tone as one of the toughest outs in the division and Presley Duroseau serving as the power-hitting thunder to Bonnett’s lightning. So far this all-star season, Duroseau has hit three triples and a home run.
The team’s dominant outings during its run to the District 14 and Section 5 championships, along with its limited experience playing games together, does present a concerning question for Smith: How will his team respond in a close game against the increasingly stiffer competition?
“I feel like we are just learning what kind of team we will be,” Smith said. “We haven’t been behind in a game yet and that will be a true test of how we respond.”
Given how this team has performed so far, it’s safe to say they’re ready to respond to any challenge that might be thrown their way, especially if it means they will have the chance to keep extending their time together on the softball field.
Similarly to their Windermere softball counterparts, Heinz’s group of 8- to 10-year-old baseball all-stars have, in a short period of time, bought in to what the coaching staff has been preaching and created a culture focused on support and having one another’s backs.
“What sets this team apart is their commitment … to each other,” Heinz said. “One thing our coaching staff — myself, Jordan Williams and Brian Hartsfield — has really tried to emphasize is that baseball is the hardest sport to learn and play. You can do everything right and still fail sometimes … and that’s OK. What matters is how you respond and how you support your teammates. We’ve worked hard to build a culture where kids use words of encouragement to pick up a friend immediately after a strikeout or a fielding error. That mindset — knowing your teammates and coaches have your back — has helped these boys play more freely, take risks and grow not just as players but as teammates and people.”
This culture has allowed these boys to continue to grow their belief in themselves and trust in each other, in turn that confidence has helped generate the chemistry needed on the Little League diamond to help them win ball games.
“More than anything, this team plays for each other,” Heinz said. “They support one another, celebrate the little things and never get too high or too low. That chemistry is what’s carried us this far.”
On the field, however, what the chemistry Heinz is referencing actually looks like is solid defensive fundamentals, employed by a pair of outstanding leaders behind home plate, big-time performers on the mound and an infield duo that’s become these pitchers’ best friends.
“Our pitching has been led by Carson Trimbee and Hampton Hartsfield, who have given us big-time performances on the mound,” Heinz said. “Behind the plate, Chance Williams and Kroy Gunn have done an outstanding job managing the game and keeping our pitchers locked in. Defensively, we’ve been solid across the board, (but especially) with Tyson Gay and Harrison Shaw forming a fantastic middle infield duo at shortstop and second base.”
This team’s confidence, in themselves and one another, has shown itself throughout this run from the batter’s box during the most pressure-filled moments.
“Our offense has been sparked by Gunnar Heinz, Luke Stengel, Porter Martinez, Lucas Argueta-Restrepo and Colin Francoforte,” Heinz said. “They have come up with some clutch hits for us, delivering in big moments when we needed it most.”
Above all, though, what Heinz says is the backbone of this group’s success — its commitment to each other — is best exemplified on the field by players putting the team first and doing what is needed of them to win.
“Bryce Capehart has been our most versatile player,” Heinz said. “He’s played eight of the nine positions on the field and always gives us what we need, wherever we need it.”
With this type of chemistry, commitment and confidence, there’s no doubt that this group of Little Leaguers have what it takes to continue bringing home hardware, however, according to their coach there’s nothing else they need to do to make their hometown proud.
“This group of kids has been grinding since March … giving up much of their summer break to represent our town,” Heinz said. “These kids don’t complain, they show up and work. … This is a special group of kids and it’s been an honor to coach them. Win or lose, they’ve already made our town proud.”
