SOFTBALL ROYALTY: The First Academy softball team made school history as it became state champions for the first time.

The First Academy softball team made school history after defeating University Christian 8-2 May 25 to be crowned state champions for the first time. 

“I’m so proud of this team and what they’ve accomplished,” TFA softball head coach Kaley Gangelhoff said. “It’s unbelievable what they did and how young they are.” 

The 2021-22 team comprised three sixth-graders, one seventh-grader, three eighth-graders, two freshmen, three sophomores, one junior and two seniors. 

This was the first year playing softball for centerfielder and seventh-grader Nola Blair Simmons, who played the entire seven innings of the game.

“It was definitely a little nerve-wracking, but I think our defense came through, stayed loose, didn’t get tight, and we pulled through,” she said. “Having the opportunity to be in the field and being a part of this win is super great.”

The game was tied 0-0 the first two innings, until TFA took the lead at the bottom of the third. Camille Mackedon hit a fly to the left field, allowing Cameron Watford — who had previously hit a line drive between first and second and stolen second base — to put the first run of the game on the scoreboard. 

The Royals’ offense came alive at the bottom of the fifth, when TFA rattled off six runs. The first came in after TFA loaded the bases. University Christian’s pitcher, Sophia Kardatzke, walked Mollie Duling, and Grace Grant scored the second run for the Royals. Mackedon hit a deep fly to the left field, allowing Hannah Harper and Lily Bissonnette to score. Alexis Zerquera hit a homer to RBI the last three runs of the inning, expanding the lead to 7-0. 

“I can’t even describe the feeling (I’m feeling right now),” Zerquera said. 

“The energy was high, everyone on the doughnut was up; everyone on the field was up,” Mackedon said. “Everyone had a job, small or little, and we just pulled through.”

Gangelhoff, who is pregnant and due July 31, had both hands on her belly as the inning unfolded.

“He was moving all around; I don’t know if this is healthy for him. I’m glad I’m not further along,” she said. “My husband, he coaches as well; we are both excited. But, if the season went on anymore — I don’t know — I could’ve gone into labor tonight.”  

The last run for the Royals came in during the bottom of the sixth, as Molly Sheridan hit a short fly to second. But because of a University Christian defense error, Harper got home safe to put the eighth run on the board.

“It feels awesome, and the fact that it was a full-team win — even if I didn’t do my best today — my team was behind me making plays,” Harper said. “It’s just a great feeling.”

During the top of the seventh, University was able to score two runs on the Royals before Mackedon caught the last out of the game with an extraordinary play. 

“We’ve been playing together for six or seven years; it couldn’t have happened any other way,” Harper said of Mackedon. “She’s one of my best friends. I knew she was going to get it the second I saw it hit off the bat, and I knew she was going to dive and catch it for us.” 

Assistant coach Jane Knuth was pacing in the dugout during the game, as emotions were running high. This was her last game with the Royals; she will retire in July.

“It’s amazing; I’ve been in this position with other sports because I’ve coached at this school for 23 years,” she said. “But (because) this is my main sport, this is the one I’ve been the head coach at some point in time and have been involved with the program. To win this one, this being my last season, I have no words.” 

The fan base for TFA was loud and definitely a big support for the team throughout the game. 

“Everybody is family; everybody rallies around this team and these girls, and it really shows what type of school this is,” Gangelhoff said. “It’s such a neat experience for everybody to be here.” 

After a long, strong season, with an overall season score of 23-6, all the hard work the girls put in on and off the field this past year paid off. According to Gangelhoff, who has led the team for the past seven years, it’s taken some time for the athletes to realize how good they are individually and how good they can be as a team. 

“They started buying it and believing in themselves more and see what we can do,” she said. “It’s so neat really to get a win like this on a night like this.” 

The team hopes to continue climbing higher from here and attract more girls into the program for the upcoming season. 

For both seniors, this win was an emotional one. Harper will continue to play ball at the University of West Florida and will continue her softball career. However, Mackedon will hang up her uniform. She will be attending the University of Central Florida. 

“I’ve played since I was 5, so it is a little bittersweet,” she said. 

“It’s bittersweet,” Harper agreed. “But, it’s just all excitement for (the team) — playing calm not playing tense. Our mentality before was all excitement. We’ve never been here; we’ve never won state championships, so there was nothing to lose really, just playing with our hearts.”