Adam Lichtenstein

1 week ago | sun-sentinel.com | Adam Lichtenstein

Broward County powers Stoneman Douglas and St. Thomas Aquinas squared off twice during the season. The first time, the Eagles picked up a narrow 3-1 win. Stoneman Douglas senior Gio Rojas pitched five innings of one-run ball and got the win. Raiders senior Zachary Malvasio went 1 for 3 with a double. The second time, Rojas again got the better of St. Thomas, pitching a complete game in a 5-2 win. He also went 3 for 4 with a home run — his only homer of the season – and a double.

1 week ago | sun-sentinel.com | Adam Lichtenstein

FIRST TEAMAce Aguila, P, West Broward junior: Aguila kept opposing teams in check, leading the 21-14 Bobcats with a 1.53 ERA. Aguila posted a 4-2 record with 65 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings. Andrew Alvarez, IF, St. Thomas Aquinas senior: Alvarez helped form the power-hitting core of the Raiders’ state championship lineup, mashing 13 home runs — trailing only teammate Zachary Malvasio — while hitting .382 with a 1.376 OPS.

1 week ago | sun-sentinel.com | Adam Lichtenstein

Gracyn Needle comes from a diamond-sport family. Her mother, King’s Academy coach Kim Needle, played softball at Nova Southeastern University. Her father, Bryan, played baseball at Nova, as well. Gracyn Needle’s older brother, Dalton, plays baseball (and is a Sun Sentinel All-County selection). The sports are ingrained in her life. “Growing up in a baseball and softball family, with both my parents playing in college, I had a choice whether I wanted to play or not,” Needle said.

1 week ago | sun-sentinel.com | Adam Lichtenstein

Wellington pitcher Tori Payne was not leaving the pitcher’s circle. The Wolverines star pitched all 12 innings Wellington played in two games at states. When she was done, the Wolverines had the first softball title in school history. “(It is) hard to put into words,” Payne said. “Just incredibly proud of this team and just an amazing moment, honestly.”Payne excelled in the circle and at the plate in her senior season, and she is the Sun Sentinel Palm Beach County large-schools player of the year.

1 week ago | sun-sentinel.com | Adam Lichtenstein

FIRST TEAMMorgan Beavers, IF, Cardinal Gibbons sophomore: Beavers hit .403 with a pair of home runs. The sophomore infielder had a 1.068 OPS with 24 RBIs and six steals. Caitlyn Diaz, P, Somerset Academy junior: Diaz was tough to hit, striking out 173 batters in 107 1/3 innings and allowing just four home runs. She had a 2.41 ERA and a 4-4 record. She also hit six home runs. Dani Ebert, P, Pompano Beach senior: Ebert excelled at the plate and in the circle.