Atlantic Coast won the Gateway Conference softball final against Baldwin with an unprecedented 11-run eighth inning, finishing the game 11-0 on April 16. Emma Cano's pivotal hit sparked the dramatic scoring surge.
One run. Somehow. That's all Emma Cano had in mind.
"Going up to bat, I was just like, 'I need to move her on third.' That's all I was really hitting for," the Atlantic Coast senior infielder said.
Instead, the ball that left Cano's bat blasted open the floodgates for perhaps the weirdest extra-inning finish in Gateway Conference high school softball final history, overcoming five-time defending champion Baldwin 11-0 in eight innings on April 16.
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21), center, is hugged by Emma Cano (95) after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays softball team celebrates the win after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) hoists the championship trophy with the team celebrating after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Atlantic Coast vs Baldwin softball game?
The final score was 11-0 in favor of Atlantic Coast.
How did Atlantic Coast score 11 runs in the eighth inning?
Atlantic Coast scored all 11 runs in the eighth inning, marking a historic finish to the game.
Who was the standout player in the Gateway Conference softball final?
Emma Cano was a standout player, whose hit initiated the scoring explosion for Atlantic Coast.
When did Atlantic Coast win the Gateway Conference softball title?
Atlantic Coast won the Gateway Conference softball title on April 16, 2026.
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Parents snap photos after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast head coach Keith Fisher is doused with water by Ava Moss (99) and Rylee Ratti (23) after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Khloe Farber (1), center, breaks with the team after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Skye Deans (2) wipes tears of joy after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Lily Maguire (42) spikes the ball after the final out is caught after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays softball team celebrate the win after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Halle Wolff (8), right, celebrates with the team hoitsing the trophy after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays pose for a photo after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays point to the scoreboard after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) looks up holding a ball commemorating 100 strikeouts next to Rylee Ratti (23) after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) holds a ball commemorating 100 strikeouts after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays break after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Emma Cano (95) and Lily Maguire (42) shed tears of joy after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) pitches during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Emma Cano (95) tallies a hit during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard (16) and Hayden Peebles (3) try to figure out who will field a hit during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Skye Deans (2) scores the first run for the Stingrays during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Josleen Mendoza (19) high-fives Skye Deans (2) for scoring first for the Stingrays during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Lily Maguire (42) fouls a ball during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard (16) pitches during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Lily Maguire (42) yells after a single hit at first base during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Audrina Bailey (55) pinch runs during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's KK Fry (5) fields a hit in center field during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Audrina Bailey (55) scores against Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) fields a gorund ball to get the out at first base during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Bethany Carrier (86) makes contact during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Harleigh Moore (4) bobbles a hit to left field during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Skye Deans (2) fouls a bunt during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) fields the throw as Atlantic Coast's Sarah Wisniewski (18) scores during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) makes is back safely to second base as Baldwin's Jazmine "Jazzy" Ramos-Merced (21) fields a throw during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) scores during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) celebrates as she crosses home plate during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
From left, Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) dances after scoring with Lily Maguire (42) and Skye Deans (2) during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Emma Cano (95) scores during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) is out at home plate against Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) during the first inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) pitches during the first inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard (16) pitches during the second inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Skye Deans (2) grabs an out in center field during the second inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Harleigh Moore (4) reacts to striking out during the second inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Lily Maguire (42) is called out at second base despite Baldwin's Jazmine "Jazzy" Ramos-Merced (21) bobbling the throw during the fourth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) reacts after Hayden Peebles (3) caught a bunt from third base during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Khia Kelly (2) has a fielding error as the ball rolls to the left field wall during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) is out at third base as Baldwin's Hayden Peebles (3) makes the tag during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Khia Kelly (2) lays down a bunt during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) catches an out in left field during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Jazmine "Jazzy" Ramos-Merced (21) reacts to a strike out during the sixth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Josleen Mendoza (19) strikes out as Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) catches during the sixth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard (16) is high-fived after closing out during the sixth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Baldwin's Tiana Gissentanner (24) bobbles the hit but is able to turn to throw to first base to get the out during the seventh inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21), center, is hugged by Emma Cano (95) after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21), center, is hugged by Emma Cano (95) after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays softball team celebrates the win after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) hoists the championship trophy with the team celebrating after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Parents snap photos after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast head coach Keith Fisher is doused with water by Ava Moss (99) and Rylee Ratti (23) after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Khloe Farber (1), center, breaks with the team after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Skye Deans (2) wipes tears of joy after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Lily Maguire (42) spikes the ball after the final out is caught after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays softball team celebrate the win after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Halle Wolff (8), right, celebrates with the team hoitsing the trophy after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays pose for a photo after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays point to the scoreboard after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) looks up holding a ball commemorating 100 strikeouts next to Rylee Ratti (23) after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) holds a ball commemorating 100 strikeouts after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
The Atlantic Coast Stingrays break after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Emma Cano (95) and Lily Maguire (42) shed tears of joy after the game of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) pitches during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Emma Cano (95) tallies a hit during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard (16) and Hayden Peebles (3) try to figure out who will field a hit during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Skye Deans (2) scores the first run for the Stingrays during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Josleen Mendoza (19) high-fives Skye Deans (2) for scoring first for the Stingrays during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Lily Maguire (42) fouls a ball during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard (16) pitches during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Lily Maguire (42) yells after a single hit at first base during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Audrina Bailey (55) pinch runs during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's KK Fry (5) fields a hit in center field during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Audrina Bailey (55) scores against Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) fields a gorund ball to get the out at first base during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Bethany Carrier (86) makes contact during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Harleigh Moore (4) bobbles a hit to left field during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Skye Deans (2) fouls a bunt during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) fields the throw as Atlantic Coast's Sarah Wisniewski (18) scores during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) makes is back safely to second base as Baldwin's Jazmine "Jazzy" Ramos-Merced (21) fields a throw during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) scores during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) celebrates as she crosses home plate during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
From left, Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) dances after scoring with Lily Maguire (42) and Skye Deans (2) during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Emma Cano (95) scores during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) is out at home plate against Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) during the first inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) pitches during the first inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard (16) pitches during the second inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Skye Deans (2) grabs an out in center field during the second inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Harleigh Moore (4) reacts to striking out during the second inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Lily Maguire (42) is called out at second base despite Baldwin's Jazmine "Jazzy" Ramos-Merced (21) bobbling the throw during the fourth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) reacts after Hayden Peebles (3) caught a bunt from third base during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Khia Kelly (2) has a fielding error as the ball rolls to the left field wall during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) is out at third base as Baldwin's Hayden Peebles (3) makes the tag during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Khia Kelly (2) lays down a bunt during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) catches an out in left field during the fifth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Jazmine "Jazzy" Ramos-Merced (21) reacts to a strike out during the sixth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Atlantic Coast's Josleen Mendoza (19) strikes out as Baldwin's Izzy Screws (62) catches during the sixth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard (16) is high-fived after closing out during the sixth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
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Atlantic Coast vs. Baldwin in Gateway Conference softball: Photos
Baldwin's Tiana Gissentanner (24) bobbles the hit but is able to turn to throw to first base to get the out during the seventh inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
It's not a mistake: After seven scoreless frames of a pitchers' duel between Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown and Baldwin's Lilly Hubbard, the Stingrays put up the rare 11-spot in the top of the eighth, turning the tables on the school that denied them one year ago in the tournament for Duval County public schools. Baldwin hadn't lost a Gateway tournament game since April 16, 2019, a 4-0 defeat to Paxon.
The eighth-inning surge was more than enough run support for Brown, whose one-hit shutout helped bring a fifth Gateway softball trophy to R.G. Skinner Parkway after past triumphs in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018.
And it continues the winning momentum for Atlantic Coast (14-7), a team that knows how to bounce back. Bouncing back from their 2025 loss to Baldwin in the Gateway final. Bouncing back from five one-run losses this year, most recently to Spruce Creek on April 10.
"Instead of quitting, they used it to grow," Atlantic Coast coach Keith Fisher said. "We've gotten on a roll here lately, and the team's really come together."
EIGHTH-INNING SCORING PARADE
From left, Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) dances after scoring with Lily Maguire (42) and Skye Deans (2) during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
From left, Atlantic Coast's Stella Lynton (7) dances after scoring with Lily Maguire (42) and Skye Deans (2) during the eighth inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Once Atlantic Coast's offense accelerated from 0 to 60, the scoreboard flipped from 0 to 11.
Even when Cano stepped to the plate with bases full of Stingrays and nobody out in the eighth, there was no reason to expect the first extra-inning Gateway final since 2017 to end in anything other than a nail-biter.
It didn't take much, just a bounding ball that glanced off a glove and plated Skye Deans from third for the opening run. That ignited the chaos. A bases-loaded walk. A Josleen Mendoza sacrifice fly. A Brown RBI single up the middle. A boom-boom-boom parade of two-out RBI singles from Sarah Wisniewski, Deans and Stella Lynton (4 for 5). Two more RBI from Cano. Two more from Mendoza. Eleven in the frame.
For Atlantic Coast, scoring fast is nothing new. The Stingrays have averaged 8.4 runs this year, hitting double figures nine times, including every game in Gateway. Even for a team that knows extra-inning adventure, like last year's 19-18 thriller against Creekside, this one was just a little different.
"We needed to stay confident and we needed to believe in ourselves," said Cano, a Hamilton College commit with 12 hits in her last 20 at-bats and a .500 season average.
BROWN DOMINATES FOR AC
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) pitches during the first inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
Atlantic Coast's Morgan Brown (21) pitches during the first inning of a Gateway Conference softball final at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Baldwin, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Stingrays blanked the Baldwin Indians 11-0, all scored in the 8th inning, for the Gateway Conference title.
At the center of the show was Brown, once again starring on the Gateway stage.
"She was just lights out," Fisher said.
The junior struck out 11 and limited Baldwin to one hit, a single by Hubbard in the fourth. She issued four walks, two of them intentional passes to Baldwin's dangerous senior slugger Jazmine Ramos-Merced, and pitched out of her only real jam with two strikeouts in the fourth.
"I knew I had my team behind me, and I knew as long as I threw it, they were going to have my back," Brown said. "Nothing was going to get past my team."
Brown also topped the 100-strikeout mark for the third consecutive year while slicing her ERA to 1.95. The shutout was her third in the past three weeks, after a one-hitter of Fletcher on March 30 and a two-hitter of Fleming Island on April 2.
For the Stingrays, Thursday's victory builds momentum ahead of the coming challenges in District 1-7A. The Florida High School Athletic Association ranks Atlantic Coast sixth in Region 1-7A, a probable playoff qualifier but not yet a formal lock.
"Beating that team and showing that we can do it, especially since we lost to them twice [in the 2025 Gateway final and the 2026 regular season], it just boosts our confidence so much," Cano said. "It makes it more fulfilling."
