Vote: Who should be SBLive’s Central Florida Softball Player of the Week (3/5/2024)?

We’ve selected 21 candidates for your voting consideration
Vote: Who should be SBLive’s Central Florida Softball Player of the Week (3/5/2024)?
Vote: Who should be SBLive’s Central Florida Softball Player of the Week (3/5/2024)? /

Central Florida softball players continue to show the stuff of champions, both at the plate and on the mound.

We looked at teams from multiple counties and nominated 21 athletes for the SBLive Central Florida Softball Player of the Week for Feb. 26-March 2, 2024.

We ask you, the fan, to decide who should the top player selected. Voting will conclude on Sunday, March 10, at 11:59pm and will be announced in next week’s poll.

Congratulations to last week’s winner: SBLive congratulates Montverde Academy junior infielder Leila Susaia for winning Central Florida Softball Player of the Week for Feb. 26-March 2, 2024.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. The poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Here are this week's nominees:

Addy Arlotta, Catcher/Third Baseman, Colonial (Orlando): Senior ripped two doubles and a triple, scored twice and drove in three runs to lead the Grenadiers past Evans (Orlando), 16-1.

Julia Benamati, Shortstop/Second Baseman, Olympia (Orlando): Senior went 3-for-4 with a triple, four runs scored and three RBI to lead the Titans past Freedom, 17-0.

Cate Haggerty, Catcher/Third Baseman/Outfielder, Lake Howell (Winter Park): Junior went 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored to lead the Silver Hawks past Seminole (Sanford), 10-3.

Jaelyn Larsen, Pitcher/Outfielder/First Baseman, Umatilla: Freshman had two hits, two runs scored and one RBI to lead the Bulldogs past Taylor (Pierson), 10-0.

Danika Jones, Infielder, Umatilla: Senior recorded two hits, two runs scored and one RBI in a 10-0 victory against Taylor.

Caroline Putt, Utility, Orangewood Christian School: Went 2-for-3 with a triple and four runs scored in a 13-3 victory against Windermere Prep.

Emilie Escalera, Utility, Winter Springs: Went 3-for-5 with a run scored and four RBI, including the game-winning, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth, to lead the Bears past rival Oviedo, 8-5.

Alexis Felker, Catcher/Infielder, Hagerty (Oviedo): Junior went 3-for-4 with two home runs to propel the Huskies past Viera, 12-3.

Ella Verne, Pitcher/Outfielder, Hagerty (Oviedo): Junior struck out 14 in five innings in a masterful pitching performance against Viera.

Mckenna Hawley, Pitcher, Trinity Prep (Winter Park): Super sophomore went 2-for-2 with a double, triple and one run scored to lead the Saints past University High (Orlando), 15-0.

Alexis Miranda, Pitcher, Osceola (Kissimmee): Star senior struck out eight in a 5-4 complete-game win against Davenport.

McKaelyn Fowler, Outfielder/Pitcher, Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs): Fantastic freshman went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and four RBI to lead the Patriots past University High (Orange City), 12-2.

Jensen Luke, Utility, Eustis: Went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, one run scored and four RBI to propel the Panthers past South Sumter, 4-1.

Liany Rosario, Infielder, Cornerstone Charter (Belle Isle): Eighth-grader had a superb day for the Ducks, going 4-for-4 with three doubles, two runs scored and four RBI in a 12-3 win against Bishop Moore (Orlando).

Katherine Johnson, Utility, Foundation Academy (Winter Garden): Went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and three RBI in a 10-2 win against Mount Dora.

Kennedy McQuillan, Utility, Lake Nona (Orlando): Senior went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI to lift the Lions past Apopka, 8-3.

Emerson Aslan, Utility, Harmony: Went 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored and one RBI to lead the Longhorns past Palm Harbor University, 3-1.

Nevaeh Williams, Pitcher, Montverde Academy: Hurled a two-hitter, allowing just one unearned run in seven innings, while striking out seven in a 2-1 win against East Lake in the championship game of the 2024 Montverde Academy Invitational Softball tournament.

Kaitlyn Caruso, Second Baseman, Deltona: Sophomore went 2-for-2 with one run scored and two RBI to lead the Wolves past rival Pine Ridge (Deltona), 15-0.

Jasmine Francik, Pitcher, Melbourne: The FSU commit and star senior pitched a two-hitter in a 2-0 victory against Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs).

Gabrielle Espich, Pitcher, Vero Beach:Sophomore pitched a no-hit shutout, striking out eight, in three innings in a 15-0 victory against Port St. Lucie.


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Jeff Gardenour

JEFF GARDENOUR

Jeff Gardenour is a Florida native and long-time resident of the Sunshine State. He is a journalism veteran of more than four decades, having worked in a number of news divisions through the years for multiple media outlets, including Gannett and Tribune Company. A University of Florida journalism graduate, Jeff has covered every level of sports, including MLB, USFL, XFL, WNBA, NCAA, IMSA, high schools and more. He is a former award-winning sports editor of the Sebring News-Sun and current freelance writer for SBLive Sports, PrepVolleyball.com and The Orlando Sentinel. Jeff is married with two children and resides in Oviedo, FL. He can be reached at jgardenour1962@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JMarkG1962.