Eustis pitcher Levendoski earns honor
Eustis sophomore pitcher Libby Levendoski played a vital role in helping the Panthers win their first Florida High School Athletic Association softball state championship last month.
Levendoski, who allowed earned runs in just seven games this spring, is the Orlando Sentinel Varsity softball player of the year. She is among 11 other area players recognized for turning in standout performances during the 2021 season.
The Sentinel Varsity player of the year and accompanying list of standouts was compiled based on nominations from softball coaches in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and southwest Volusia counties with consideration given to individual stats, impact on team success and strength of schedule.
Player of the Year
Libby Levendoski, Eustis, Soph.
Buzz: Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Softball finalist capped a Class 4A state championship season with a 23-1 record, 0.46 earned run average and 286 strikeouts in 152 innings. Levendoski, who walked just 15 batters and allowed only 10 earned runs, tossed a no-hitter in the regional final and struck out 71 batters in five postseason games.
Sentinel Standouts
Cali Decker, Lake Mary, Sr.
Buzz: Florida signee and the Seminole Athletic Conference player of year set program records for batting average (.507) and home runs (9) while finishing with 28 RBIs, 27 runs scored and 6 doubles.
Hannah Harper, The First Academy, Jr.
Buzz: Registered a hit in 25 consecutive games and batted .542 with 39 runs scored, 29 RBIs, 23 doubles and 7 home runs while also producing a 1.32 ERA with 194 strikeouts (153⅔ innings) for the 3A regional runner-up.
Taylor Krapf, Winter Springs, Sr.
Buzz: Duke signee helped the Bears reach the Class 6A state championship game while tallying team highs in batting average (. 443), walks (31), home runs (5) and triples (3).
Jesiana Mora, Apopka, Jr. Buzz: Credited with a statebest 61 stolen bases, Mora batted .617 and scored 45 runs while finishing with 20 RBIs, 10 extrabase hits and a .667 on-base percentage.
Kiley Strott, Lake Brantley, Soph.
Buzz: Led the Class 7A regional finalists in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (. 432), hits (35), RBIs (25), walks (18), doubles (7) and home runs (6).
Grace Taylor, Orange City University, Jr.
Buzz: Pitched two no-hitters, 10 shutouts and finished with a 21-1 record, 0.73 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 143 innings while helping the Titans take a 25-game win streak into the 7A state semifinals.
Aminah Vega, Orange City University, Jr.
Buzz: Shortstop finished with a .609 batting average, 38 walks, 29 stolen bases and 51 runs scored along with 30 RBIs and 22 extrabase hits, including an area-best 13 home runs.
Avery Viancos, Lake Nona, Sr.
Buzz: Florida Gulf Coast signee compiled a 24-game hit streak and led the Lions while batting .547 with 44 runs scored, 24 RBIs, 23 walks, 17 stolen bases and 17 extra-base hits, including 10 triples.
Gracie Wallace, Windermere Prep, Jr.
Buzz: Came away with a 25-2 record and 0.54 ERA with 326 strikeouts in 167 innings for the 3A state runner-up while recording at least 10 strikeouts in 19 games, including two 15-K no-hitters.
Madi Wicker, Clermont East Ridge, Sr.
Buzz: Florida Gulf Coast signee batted .511 on 48 hits with 37 runs scored, 25 RBIs, 19 extra-base hits and 14 stolen bases while also posting a 14-4 mark in the circle with 92 strikeouts in 116 innings.
Mia Williams, Windermere Prep, Soph.
Buzz: Played a big part in a Class 3A state runner-up season at shortstop while batting .558 with 40 runs scored, 27 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, 9 doubles, 4 triples and 8 home runs.