For the first time since 2011, the girls softball team from Berean Christian School has captured a district championship title. On Tuesday, April 29, the Bulldogs defeated Atlantic Christian, 18-6, to win the Class 1A, District 14 postseason tournament.
The game between Berean and Atlantic was played at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. It was the third time this season that both teams had played one another, and it was Berean’s third-straight victory in the local rivalry. In the district title game, Berean was led by freshman pitcher Hailey Georgic, who had two strikeouts and issued just one walk. Berean’s top hitters were eighth grader Sophia Britton, who was 4-for-4; junior Brianna Acosta, who was 3-for-3; and sophomore Julianne Severson, who was 2-for-2.
It was also the first time that the Bulldogs had reached a district tournament final since Kim Valdes had become the head coach in 2017. It was the school’s first district title in softball since the school had a run of four consecutive titles from 2008 to 2011, when the team was coached by Philip Johnson and led by four of the school’s all-time softball standouts — Amber Johnson, Rachel Terrana, Alison Flinn and Emily May. Those four district tournament banners are currently hanging in the school’s gymnasium. But there’s room for another.
Berean’s current roster is a mixture of young, non-travel team players, a few of whom are home schoolers. There are no seniors on the team this year, which means everybody should be back next season.
Three of Berean’s current players share the same last name — sisters Liz Britton, Sophia Britton and Mila Britton. Liz is a 17-year-old junior, Sophia is a 14-year-old eight grader and Mila is a 12-year-old seventh grader. At the beginning of the season, Valdes had lost some players to injury, and she was looking for reinforcements for the upcoming season.
“We really needed some fresh bodies for our roster,” Valdes said. “I told my existing players to go recruit some other players from the hallways at school.”
Mila was one of the team’s existing players, so she encouraged her two sisters to join her on the roster, and they agreed.
At the beginning of the current high school softball season, Mila was new to the sport — and Liz and Sophia were also rookies.
Looking back, all three girls have genetics on their side, as their mother played high school and collegiate softball while growing up in Panama. She was a shortstop. Their mother also played volleyball.
“Growing up, I always wanted to play softball,” said Mila, who plays right field.
After going to watch Berean’s team practice, Liz decided to give the sport a try. She played tennis last spring. She’s glad that she joined Berean’s softball team this year, where she is now the starting left fielder.
“I like the team spirit on the team in the dugout,” Liz said. “There’s lots of singing. We have a team chant for every player.”
For Liz, stepping into the batter’s box is both exciting and nerve wracking.
“It can be stressful when you are up to bat, but after hitting the ball, the stress is gone, and you start running for your life,” she said.
It didn’t take long for Sophia to realize that in order to play softball, it helps to have some coordination and athletic talent.
“To be a good hitter, you have to understand what techniques are needed to properly swing the bat,” said Sophia, who is the team’s starting centerfielder.
Sophia is often the leadoff hitter. Her job is to get on base. That’s when the fun begins.
“As a baserunner, you must always be thinking ahead. And it’s exhilarating when you score a run,” Sophia said.
For Mila, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome was learning how to catch the ball. At first, it was not easy to do. Now, Mila likes catching the ball. In fact, she likes catching the ball so much that she would like to play catcher next year.
Valdes, who was a catcher during her high school and collegiate playing days, has agreed to help teach Mila how to play that position. Valdes played high school softball at the King’s Academy, and then in college at Rider University in New Jersey.
While all three girls are not always together in the starting lineup, there have been some games where all three have been playing in the outfield at the same time — Liz in leftfield, Sophia patrolling centerfield and Mila in charge in rightfield.
According to Valdes, one important characteristic that all three girls share is a positive attitude.
“Their attitude and their hustle on the diamond are impressive,” Valdes said.
According to Valdes, she quickly noticed Liz’s instinctive behavior as the oldest sister. “She is definitely the ‘mother hen’ of the three players,” Valdes said.
Moving forward, as the newly crowned district champions, the Bulldogs (8-10) are now preparing to continue postseason play, starting with a regional quarterfinal game on Wednesday, May 7.
Valdes is delighted with the overall play of her softball team this season.
“I’m very happy with the progress of my team,” she said.
When the season comes to an end, the three Britton sisters and their teammates are looking forward to seeing another district tournament banner being placed inside the school’s gymnasium.
