- May 6, 2024
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FPC pitcher Alexis Laura allowed four hits, including a two-run homer, in the Bulldogs' 12-2 win against Beachside on March 22. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Left fielder Aliya Buckles (9) leads off the fourth inning with a triple to the left-field fence. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
FPC first baseman Madison Cercy handles a grounder for the first out of the game. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
FPC coach Yessy Paneto speaks to her players after the game. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Pitcher Alexis Laura fields the bunt and gets the out at first base. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Second baseman Sanai Figueredo (11) takes the throw at first from third baseman Hannah Kurek on a bunt by a Beachside player. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Bulldogs infielders (from left: Alexis Laura, Hannah Kurek, Aun'yale Howard, Sanai Figueredo and Madison Cercy) have a conference on the mound. Photo by Kenz Ojeda.
Aubree Garofolo heads to second on the way to a triple in the fourth inning. Garofol drive in two runs with her hard shot to right field. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Aun'Yale Howard (21) beats the throw to first base for and infield hit. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Alexia Laura hit a single to right center field to drive in the first run of the game. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Kylee Burns drives in a run with one of her three hits. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Aun'Yale Howard (21) scores the 12th and final run for FPC in the fifth inning. The Bulldogs won by the 10-run rule. Photo by Kenz Ojeda.
Alexis Laura prepares to pitch in the top of the second inning. Photo by Kenz Ojeda.
FPC's Madison Cercy fouls off a pitch. Photo by Kenz Ojeda.
First baseman Madison Cercy watches the pitch. Photo by Kenz Ojeda
Flagler Palm Coast softball player Hannah Kurek ended the March 16 game against Heritage of Maryville, Tennessee, with a three-run homer. Against St. Johns Beachside, on March 22, the senior hit a walk-off of a different variety.
Kurek’s single in the fifth inning scored Aun’Yale Howard to put the Bulldogs ahead 12-2 and end the game on the 10-run rule.
FPC remained undefeated at 10-0, matching last year’s win total. The Bulldogs were 10-10 last season.
FPC has not had a winning season since 2017 and was winless just four years ago. They are taking their new-found success in stride.
“We’re just going with the flow,” Kurek said. “We have a group of girls that are a lot more willing to work. And as we keep winning, it makes us want to work even harder.”
The Bulldogs credit their coaching staff, led by second-year head coach Yessy Paneto.
“Our coaches are all fantastic,” senior Kylee Burns said. “I feel like this season, we've come together more as a team. We've gotten very close. We've taken practices very seriously. We've been practicing really hard, which is why we're undefeated now.”
Burns went 3-for-3 with a double against Beachside. She drove in three runs and scored three runs.
I feel like this season, we've come together more as a team. We've gotten very close. We've taken practices very seriously. We've been practicing really hard, which is why we're undefeated now. — KYLEE BURNS
The Bulldogs were missing two starters against the Barracudas (3-5) but didn’t miss a beat.
FPC led 3-2 in the middle of the fourth, then scored seven runs in the bottom of the inning to put the game away.
Aliya Buckles led off the fourth inning with a triple to the left-field fence, and after Sanai Figueredo reached first on an error, Aubrey Garofolo smashed a two-run triple. Kurek added an RBI-single in the inning, and Burns lined a two-run double to center.
Bulldogs pitcher Alexis Laura gave up a two-run homer to Beachside's Mallie Meadows in the second inning but did not allow a runner past second base the rest of the game.
Howard scored the winning run in the fifth after legging out her second infield hit of the game. The junior moved to shortstop from her normal outfield position to fill in for senior Bailey Holmes, who was on a spring break trip.
Howard did not play for the Bulldogs last year, but she did play for the Texas Blaze 16U Florida-Johnson club team.
Instead of playing high school softball, she decided to try track and field team and the pole vault. In her first season learning the event, she wound up posting the second-best vault in school history at 9 feet, 6.25 inches.
She also placed third in her weight class at the state weightlifting championships.
This year, the all-around athlete is back playing softball with the Bulldogs and providing the team an added dimension with her speed.
“I wanted to play with the seniors this year,” she said. “I knew it would be a special season.”
The Bulldogs have been moving up the state rankings to No. 35 overall and 11th in Class 7A. They travel to Spruce Creek on Thursday, March 30, for what could be their toughest test so far.
The Hawks are led by pitcher Julie Kelley, who threw a five-inning 12-0 perfect game with 13 strikeouts against DeLand on March 23.
“She is one of the fastest pitchers we’ll see,” Burns said. “She has a lot of movement, so we’ll have to learn how to adjust and read the ball. During practice our coach will bring out the pitching machine and put it up really high and put like rise ball, drop ball, down the middle, and just make us only swing at the good pitches. So, we’ll practice with the really fast machine.”
And they'll keep doing what they've been doing all season.
“We're just taking it day by day,” Burns said.
