Photos: West Orange rallies past Apopka for 5-3 win in regional semis -- Observer Preps

WINTER GARDEN The Apopka Blue Darters came out and punched the West Orange Warriors in the mouth early in the FHSAA Class 9A Regional Semifinals, taking a 2-0 lead through two-and-one-half innings.

But last year's state champions in Class 9A weathered the early storm and rallied back, tying the game with a run apiece in the third and fourth innings, before stringing together a three-run fifth inning that proved to be the difference. 

The 5-3 victory for the Warriors (25-3) sends them to a regional championship for the third consecutive season.

"That's exactly what I expected — (Apopka) came out swinging well," West Orange head coach Todd LaNeave said, recalling the Blue Darters' strong start. "They got some scoring opportunities and they took advantage of them."

Lauren Mathis got the start for the Warriors and, through a couple rough patches, ended up with the complete game win. The University of Georgia signee allowed seven hits and all three runs were earned for the Blue Darters, but she seemed to improve as the game went on and ultimately shut the door on the victory.

At the plate, Cerynn Siemer, Lexie Blair and Amanda Fleming each had multi-hit games for the Warriors.

Apopka, meanwhile, scored the most runs it has against the Warriors in the teams' five total meetings this spring. Sami Crim and Kenzie Tracy each had a pair of hits and an RBI with Crim homering in the top of the seventh.

On the mound, Gabi Cirlio pitched well for the Blue Darters (18-11), allowing just seven hits over six innings of work.

Though the Warriors faced an early deficit, LaNeave said afterward that his girls never really count themselves out of a ballgame.

"As long as we're not buried, they always feel like they can just chip away and chip away," LaNeave said. "We had that one big inning and that really helped us out."

West Orange will host Spruce Creek on Friday at 7 p.m. in the regional final, with a trip to the FHSAA Softball State Championships in Vero Beach on the line.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].