High School Softball: With a plethora of returners, South Fork eyes another Final Four run

The South Fork softball team is not a stranger to the state playoffs.

With the exception of the 2020 COVID-canceled season, the team has qualified for the win-or-go-home tournament every year since 2013. And after getting over the hump and advancing to state the last time they took the field together, the Bulldogs look to continue their upward trajectory.

“I know we’re all really excited right now,” senior pitcher Katelyn Kidwell said. “It’s definitely going to take a lot of hard work to get where we were last season and back to the fnal four, but I think we can do it. We have a good group of girls here.”

The hard work will largely come from girls who rode the program’s most recent joyride to Clermont. South Fork brings back the majority of a roster that won 17 of 24 games in 2023. Eight of the nine players who appeared in at least 23 contests a year ago have returned.

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That list includes 2023 TCPalm Player of the Year Abbie Dewaters, who was spectacular during her sophomore campaign. The powerful shortstop belted team highs of five home runs and 15 extra-base hits while driving in 36 runs.

Right behind her is fellow junior Emma Ortiz. The All-Area first-team outfielder hit .441 with 23 RBIs and eight doubles. Defensively, Ortiz did not commit an error in 27 total chances.

Meanwhile, senior Alice Dewaters is back to do what she does best: cause havoc from the top of the order. The infielder led the Bulldogs in batting average (.446), hits (33), triples (4), runs scored (25) and on-base percentage (.529). She was also successful in 21 of 24 stolen-base attempts.

“Getting on base with singles, doubles, stealing bases and making things happen,” Alice Dewaters said when asked about her strengths. “When I get on, I know I’m going to score.”

She is one of five seniors on the squad, along with catcher Abigayle Moore (.379 avg., 20 R, 8 2B) and Kidwell, who was named TCPalm Co-Pitcher of the Year in 2022. With Moore as her batterymate, Kidwell was dominant in the circle, recording 161 strikeouts and 1.78 ERA through 126 1/3 innings as a junior.

“We understand each other,” Kidwell said of her chemistry with Moore. “If a pitch was called and I don’t want to throw it, she knows immediately what I want to throw instead. She knows how everything works and what to expect, it’s just amazing. We really have that love there for each other. And with that love there, we pick each other up rather than putting each other down if one of us messes up.”

The talent is there for the Bulldogs to make another deep push. So is the pressure. The program is trying to make back-to-back trips to state since it went three straight times from 2015 to 2017.

But the preparation for the 2024 campaign was business as usual, according to head coach Trevor Rolle. There wasn’t a special rallying cry or motto during the offseason for veteran players who know how to conduct themselves and get results.

“What stood out last season was our togetherness, determination, grittiness and most importantly, our leadership,” Rolle said. “We had a lot of leadership coming from juniors last year and now they’re seniors, so they know what role they have to play.”

Alice Dewaters added: “I feel like me and the other seniors definitely help out the underclassmen and the younger girls, and I know that they look up to us. That’s why we know how to set the right example for them and carry on the legacy.”

Will that legacy result in a trophy?

South Fork was bounced from the regional semifinals in 2021 and 2022 before making a two-win improvement in the postseason in 2023. Another two-win improvement in May would mean a state title.

Though, the Bulldogs’ agenda begins with a district championship. They were denied that honor by Sebring last season.

“Our first goal is to win districts and move on from there,” Rolle said. “Our end goal, like everybody tries to reach, is state. ... Not only do we want to get to the final four, but also make it to the final game.”

So far, South Fork is 2-0 in 2024, outscoring their opponents by a 27-4 margin.

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at (772) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Softball: South Fork aims another trip to state with veteran roster