Melbourne softball defeated Bloomingdale 2-1 in a tightly contested pitcher's duel to advance to the regional final. The game was played after a 23-hour delay due to weather.
Melbourne wins pitcher's duel, advances to softball regional final
Melbourne softball took the field 23 hours after initially scheduled on Wednesday, May 13, in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals after Tuesday's postponement due to inclement weather.
The No. 2-seeded Bulldogs hosted No. 3 Bloomingdale for a spot in the regional final. In a pitcher’s duel, Melbourne freshman Addison Balavender edged out Bloomingdale junior Lindsay Cable as the Bulldogs scored in the bottom of the sixth to win 2-1.
“It was a hard-fought team victory,” Melbourne head coach Chris Cottrill said. “We had runners who were in scoring position multiple times and we kind of let ourselves in a tight game there the whole time. I’m just proud of them for executing when it mattered.”
Balavender set the tone in the circle, throwing a complete game with 1 run allowed on 4 hits. The freshman struck out 7 Bulls.
“It feels great. We’re really happy,” Balavender said. “I pitched really good. All my stuff was working really good. My changeup was really good. I’m just very proud with how I did.”
Jordan Stout pitches for Eau Gallie against Merritt Island in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mady Hardin of Merritt Island gets a hit in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game against Eau Gallie May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Q&A
What was the final score of the Melbourne vs. Bloomingdale softball game?
Melbourne won the game against Bloomingdale with a final score of 2-1.
Who were the starting pitchers in the Melbourne vs. Bloomingdale game?
Melbourne's Addison Balavender and Bloomingdale's Lindsay Cable were the starting pitchers.
Why was the Melbourne softball game postponed?
The game was postponed due to inclement weather, leading to a 23-hour delay before it was played.
What does Melbourne's victory mean for their softball season?
Melbourne's victory advances them to the regional final in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals.
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Hannah Leech of Eau Gallie dives for a Merritt Island hit in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Leah “Spike” Pechart of Eau Gallie pumps up her teammates after drawing a walk in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game against Merritt Island May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Made Hardin of Merritt Island high fives assistant coach Annie Finlay the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game against Eau Gallie May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
1 / 5
Eau Gallie, Merritt Island clash in Class 4A, Region 2 softball tourney
Jordan Stout pitches for Eau Gallie against Merritt Island in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
1 / 5
Eau Gallie, Merritt Island clash in Class 4A, Region 2 softball tourney
Jordan Stout pitches for Eau Gallie against Merritt Island in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
2 / 5
Eau Gallie, Merritt Island clash in Class 4A, Region 2 softball tourney
Mady Hardin of Merritt Island gets a hit in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game against Eau Gallie May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
3 / 5
Eau Gallie, Merritt Island clash in Class 4A, Region 2 softball tourney
Hannah Leech of Eau Gallie dives for a Merritt Island hit in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
4 / 5
Eau Gallie, Merritt Island clash in Class 4A, Region 2 softball tourney
Leah “Spike” Pechart of Eau Gallie pumps up her teammates after drawing a walk in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game against Merritt Island May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
5 / 5
Eau Gallie, Merritt Island clash in Class 4A, Region 2 softball tourney
Made Hardin of Merritt Island high fives assistant coach Annie Finlay the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal game against Eau Gallie May 12, 2026. The game was postponed in the second inning due to rain. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Balavender gave up singles in the first and second innings, but she stranded both runners. She went on to retire 12 of the next 13 batters before running into trouble in the sixth.
With Melbourne leading 1-0, Bloomingdale laced a single and a double to put two runners in scoring position with 1 out. An RBI sac bunt tied the game. In the next at-bat, Balavender induced a ground ball down the first base line.
Bulldogs first baseman Caylie Cote picked up the ball on the chalk and swipe tagged the back of Bloomingdale freshman Daelyn Johnson just before she reached the bag for the final out of the frame.
Balavender closed out the game in the seventh with a pop out, fly out and strikeout.
“Our defense, we’re really strong,” Balavender said. “I trust them completely. I’m very proud with how we did.”
For the first time in her high school career, Balavender’s pitching in win-or-go-home games. Through two starts, the freshman allowed 1 run on 5 hits. She tallied 20 strikeouts and 0 walks in 14 innings.
“Just selfless,” Cottrill said. “She puts herself out there, spins the ball, trusts the decision making. For a freshman, just well beyond her years of maturity.”
Melbourne scored 2 runs for the second-straight postseason game.
The Bulldogs took the lead 1-0 in the third on a triple from junior Madison Rider and an RBI bunt single by senior Hailey Cottrill.
In the bottom of the sixth, Melbourne produced strong at-bats and manufactured the winning run on two walks, one error and an RBI hit-by-pitch by sophomore Charlotte Martin with 2 outs.
“Just competitive at-bats and make them execute,” Cottrill said. “Tip of my cap to Bloomingdale. They’re a great team. To travel all the way over and compete at that level … we knew it was going to be a tough game.”
Melbourne entered the state playoffs with 2 games decided by 2 runs or less in 26 games. Both regional games were decided by 2 runs or less with the Bulldogs winning both.
“If we’re going to continue this journey, it’s going to take us the ability to manufacture under stress,” Chris said. “We grow from each one of these moments.”
Melbourne improved to 27-1. It advanced to the regional final Thursday to play at No. 1 seed Bartow.
Bartow defeated Durant 2-1 on Wednesday in the regional semifinals. Melbourne seeks its first state semifinal berth since 2022.
“First and foremost, they got to get some rest and take care of their bodies and prepare,” Chris said. “We're raring this moment since February. We’re as ready as we’re going to be and we’re excited for the opportunity to represent Brevard County.”
Bloomingdale (19-9) 000 001 0 – 1 4 1
Melbourne (27-1) 001 001 X – 2 3 0
Class 4A, Region 2
No. 1 Eau Gallie 5, No. 5 Merritt Island 2
After play was suspended in the 2nd inning on Tuesday, Eau Gallie picked up where it left off and held the lead for the win.
Eau Gallie led 3-1 in the second before play stopped in the top half. Sophomore Evie Martin hit an RBI single and senior Jordan Stout lined a 2-run double in the first.
An RBI sac bunt by senior Ainsley O’Dell in the bottom of the second and a Martin RBI single in the fifth concluded the scoring for the Commodores.
Stout tossed a complete game, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks. The senior recorded 5 strikeouts.
Merritt Island produced two runs on an RBI ground out by senior Elena Rollen in the second and an RBI fielder’s choice by junior Mady Hardin in the seventh.
Mustangs senior Rindi Amos pitched 6 innings with 5 runs allowed, 3 earned, on 9 hits and 7 walks. Amos struck out 8 batters.
Merritt Island ends its season with an 11-15 record.
Eau Gallie hosts Lake Wales in the regional final for the second-straight year on Thursday. The Commodores won 3-1 a year ago as they seek a return trip to the state semifinals.
Merritt Island (11-15) 010 000 1 – 2 5 1
Eau Gallie (23-3) 310 010 X – 5 9 1
No. 2 Lake Wales 11, No. 6 Satellite 1
A 6-run 1st inning by Lake Wales put the game out of reach as it scored in all 5 innings in Tuesday’s run-rule win.
Satellite ended the shutout in the third as freshman Victoria Olson trotted home on a passed ball. Scorpions junior Abigal Scaglione singled for the team’s lone hit.