After reaching the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 7A state semifinals in 2023 and the regional finals last spring, the Wellington High School varsity girls softball team is focused on returning to the FHSAA’s Class 7A state tournament this year and coming home with the championship trophy in May.
Led by head coach Mark Boretti, WHS is off to a strong start as this year’s 19-player squad has won 11 of its first 13 games. The most recent victory was an 11-0 win at home on Tuesday, April 1 against Dr. Joaquín García High School.
One of the team’s big wins this season was a 2-1 triumph on Tuesday, March 18 over another South Florida Class 7A annual power, Coral Reef High School. At the time of that game, Wellington was ranked second in the state’s Class 7A standings, while Coral Reef was ranked third.
Other big triumphs this season were a 5-2 win against 2023 Class 7A state champion Spanish River High School on Feb. 26, a 4-0 shutout of District 12 rival Jupiter High School on March 7, and a 4-1 home win over longtime Palm Beach County nemesis Palm Beach Gardens High School on March 14.
The two blemishes on the schedule were a closely contested 3-2 loss in eight innings on March 4 to Park Vista High School, which is currently the top-ranked Class 7A team in Florida, and a 5-4 extra-inning loss to West Palm Beach’s Oxbridge Academy on Wednesday, March 19.
According to Boretti, now in his 16th season at the helm of the WHS softball program, the Wolverines are well-positioned for yet another strong regular season showing, and a deep postseason run.
With a talented roster of five seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen, the Wolverines are led by senior pitcher Tori Payne, who is leading by example in the circle and in the batter’s box. To date, as a pitcher, Payne has a sparkling 0.56 earned run average. As a hitter, Payne is tied for the team lead in home runs (2), triples (2) and stolen bases (6). She also has the team’s best on-base percentage (.488) and slugging percentage (.735).
Other key players who are leading by example with their defensive hustle and offensive execution are three other seniors — Kaylee Riles, Brianna Casey and Erryn Lowe.
Wellington concludes its regular season on April 22 when the Wolverines play at Palm Beach Gardens High School. The end goal for Wellington is to reach the FHSAA’s Class 7A state final four, which will be held between May 20 and 24.
