Sunlake College-Bound Softballers Inspire, Unite

A high school athletic team is lucky to produce one, two, maybe even three college-bound, recruited players to advance to the next level of play.

Hearing about six recruited student athletes from the same team doesn’t happen very often, but Sunlake High School’s varsity softball team has done just that.

“This is like a complete rarity,” said Lady Seahawks Head Coach Jami Finan.

Not only are these girls extremely talented defensively, offensively and mentally, but also they display outstanding leadership, which make the whole team better.

“They all look up to them, they’re kind of like role models, and can see what possibilities are out there after high school,” said Finan.

The leadership of these six players can be found throughout the entire lineup. Whether it's Alex Rogers batting leadoff, Tyler Riendeau on the mound, the depth in catchers, Shelley Stohler and Amanda Solar, a solid clean-up batter and first baseman, Ashley Orta, or the speed in the outfield, as well as a perfect number nine hitter in Chloe Fletcher - their influence is evident.

An 18U travel ball coach for the Florida Havoc, Jessica Perez, has coached five of these girls throughout the years, and Perez says, "The leadership by these six is evident every game. (It's) awesome to see how they have matured as a team."

The team’s captain, Alex Rogers, plays a big role in that leadership position by picking up the team’s spirits when its been demoralized. Rogers is headed to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and is “definitely looking forward to the high-caliber of playing.”

Rogers is also batting above .400, and has scored the second most runs on the team with 24.  

Ever since Rogers can remember she’s wanted to move to North Carolina because of how beautiful it is, and now she’s getting that opportunity, and wants to make an “impact” when she gets there. 

When it comes to pitching, Tyler Riendeau has carried the majority of the load this season in over 75 innings of work, with a 9-2 record, seven complete games, two shutouts and 56 strikeouts. She leads the team in all of those categories, and admits she has an “intimidation” factor over the opposition.

Riendeau is moving forward at Landers University in South Carolina, and plans on helping to get the school on the map when she gets there.

As for Coach Finan, having the pleasure of choosing from two college-bound catchers, whom both start, either catching or as a designated hitter, she uses them smartly.

Shelley Stohler is one of those two, and she’s been playing in Land O’ Lakes her whole life. A couple of the things she thinks attracted Hillsborough Community College is her quick pop-up time, fast hands and a strong arm.

Stohler also gets the job done at the plate, with a batting average of .511.

Then you have Amanda Solar, who grew up in Tampa, and will be returning there to play at the University of Tampa. She said that the coaching staff, which is all female, for UT was her “number one” reason for making her decision to attend the University of Tampa.

Solar, like Stohler, also believes that catching related skills are her strongest physical attributes.

“Having the legs from dance, and sports (help). Strong legs and protecting the plate are my biggest compliments,” acknowledged Solar.

The Seahawks also have Ashley Orta, who grew up playing in West Tampa, to lead the team defensively at first base, as she has perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Orta believes that her height at first is definitely one of her best physical attributes. Not only is she a defensive presence at a key position in first base, but she also brings an offensive force to the lineup that will surely pay off for Santa Fe Community College, where Orta has decided to play next year in college.

Orta also admits that that the team chemistry this year has played a big role in the teams success and she'll miss how "close" the team is.

Often, Orta hosts the team at her house during the week for dinner with her teammates, where her mom cooks, and the girls hangout and admitted that the team is "always doing something together."

Finally, there’s centerfielder, Chloe Fletcher, who will be attending the College of Charlotte to play.

Fletcher has been playing with Riendeau, Orta, and Stohler for a while now, so she admits, “Being able to grow with them is a really good positive.”

As for her attributes, she knows all she has to do is put the ball into play in order to make something happen, and she does it well. Fletcher’s batting average is an outstanding .630. She has scored 21 runs and she has 12 stolen bases, in which she’s only been thrown out twice in 14 attempts.

The Sunlake Lady Seahawks have all the tools, leadership, and drive to make a push at the district title, and then some. All the players believe in themselves and their abilities.

“We really feel like this is the year,” said Fletcher on the district tournament.

These six girls are not only doing great things for themselves, but they’re also setting standards, and examples for the younger girls on the team.

“It's inspiring younger athletes,” said Finan. “Makes me want to coach softball forever.”