The top area players at the midseason mark

CHUCK BALLARO

Sports Writer

As we approach the midway point of the high school softball season, it is apparent that the same team that is dominating baseball is also dominating on the smaller field.

It’s also apparent that a new generation of area stars are starting to take shape. Amazingly, only one senior made our midway all-area list.

Venice has been the team to beat locally thanks to an abundance of players who can hit the daylights out of the ball. Because its opponents have also done the same, its games will be fun to watch.

Lemon Bay is slowly getting back to the program it had for a long time — one that can make long runs in the postseason. The Mantas made it to the state tournament just three years ago and have been in rebuild mode the last few seasons.

Charlotte has a lot of underclassmen leading a young team, with four freshmen seeing significant playing time. It’s beginning to feel like 2015 all over again, with tons of promising players ready to blossom.

DeSoto County has been steady, consistent and winning ballgames by not making many mistakes. North Port have been able to score runs and keep themselves in games despite its record. Port Charlotte, after

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Charlotte’s Natali Recker throws a strike to a Lemon Bay batter in a matchup earlier this season.

SUN PHOTO BY CHRIS BLAKE

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losing badly early, has started to come on strong.

Here are the top softball players so far:

LUCIANA PINTO, BABCOCK Year: Freshman

Position: INF

Highlights: Sure-handed in the field, Pinto has a .371 batting average, eight stolen bases and 14 runs scored to lead the team. Her 13 hits are a close second, and she owns a .949 OPS.

BROOKLYN MILLS, BABCOCK Year: Sophomore

Position: P/INF

Highlights: She’s a Swiss Army Knife. Finds her way on base at a .432 clip, with 11 runs and four doubles. In the circle, Mills has 36 Ks in 47 1/3 innings pitched and has a 2.51 ERA.

HAVEN HICKOX, CHARLOTTE Year: Senior

Position: 2B

Highlights: Maybe the fastest player in the area. Batting .481, reaching base at a .548 clip while stealing nine bases to lead the team along with 10 runs and 13 hits.

BERKLEY BRANTLEY, CHARLOTTE Year: Freshman

Position: SS

Highlights: Has already hit for the cycle this season and has a 1.346 OPS. She has two home runs and has driven in 10 to lead the team. Her nine runs are second.

ELLIE WHIDDEN, DESOTO COUNTY Year: Junior

Position: C

Highlights: Leads the Bulldogs with a .458 on-base percentage with seven hits. A .350 average is a close second. Surehanded as a catcher.

MYA GOODNOE, DESOTO COUNTY Year: Junior

Position: P/1B

Highlights: She is hitting .333 with a .455 on-base percentage and a perfect fielding percentage. She has also pitched 20 1/3 innings and has allowed 20 hits with 11 strikeouts.

REAGAN ALTIERI, LEMON BAY Year: Sophomore

Position: P/OF

Highlights: Leads Lemon Bay with a .476 batting average and a 1.189 OPS, doing a lot to keep innings going at the plate. In the circle she has pitched 37 1/3 innings with 35 hits allowed and a 3.38 ERA while striking out 20.

AMELIA MEJIAS, LEMON BAY Year: Junior

Position: SS

Highlights: The transfer has been a force as a middle infielder and leadoff hitter with a .378 batting average and a .452 on-base percentage. Her four steals tie for the team lead and 14 hits top the Mantas.

ALLISON TIMMONS, NORTH PORT Year: Junior

Position: C

Highlights: She’s hitting .474 with a team-leading 18 hits, four doubles, two triples and a .976 fielding percentage to lead the Bobcats.

BRIANNA WEIDNER, PORT CHARLOTTE Year: Junior

Position: C

Highlights: The Pirates will hit. Weidner leads with a .467 batting average, a 1.196 OPS, 14 hits, four doubles and a .984 fielding percentage.

RAYNA WHITE, PORT CHARLOTTE Year: Freshman

Position: P/OF

Highlights: Pitched a no-hitter against Oasis and has struck out 56 batters in 52 innings with a 4.31 ERA. At the plate she’s hitting .321 with three stolen bases, six runs scored and nine hits.

ADDISON QUEEN, VENICE Year: Sophomore

Position: INF

Highlights: She’s been insane. Batting .548 with two dingers, five triples, 17 runs, 17 hits, 17 RBIs and an OPS of 1.782. She has also been perfect in the field.

MAELLE CREAMER, VENICE Year: Sophomore

Position: INF

Highlights: Batting .545 with five steals, 15 runs scored, 18 hits and three doubles. Her OPS is a mere 1.147. She is a true table-setter in the lineup.

KIARRA EVANS, VENICE Year: Junior

Position: When you’re hitting .529 and it’s third on the team, you know how good the lineup is. Her OBP of .704 leads the district with five HBPs helping out. Her 1.586 OPS is somehow second on the team.

Venice softball has been the area’s best team at the midway point thanks to an explosive offense.

SUN PHOTO BY JUSTIN FENNELL

Charlotte’s Haven Hickox beats the throw to North Port’s Lauren Boff for a stolen base during a game at Charlotte High School.

SUN PHOTO BY CHRIS BLAKE

Amelia Mejias (1) takes a lead off first base as she watches the hitter at the plate.

SUN PHOTO BY TIM KERN

Charlotte’s Berkley Brantley (2) scores during the first inning of a game.

SUN PHOTO BY TOM O’NEILL

Port Charlotte’s Brianna Weidner (27) triples and drives in a run during the third inning against Charlotte on March 3 at Port Charlotte High School.

SUN PHOTO BY TOM O’NEILL

Starting pitcher Reagan Altieri (7) throws a pitch against North Port High School.

SUN PHOTO BY TIM KERN

DeSoto County’s Ellie Whidden celebrates after stealing second base in the fourth inning of a game at Port Charlotte.

SUN PHOTO BY PATRICK OBLEY