It was a chilly February evening in Groveland with temperatures in the upper 40s, but that didn't stop the hot bats of Montverde Academy softball.

The defending Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state champions returned to the field for their first game since that magical night on May 22, 2024 and picked up where they left off last season. The Eagles defeated South Lake High School 21-0 in a four inning mercy rule to kick start the 2025 season.

This past offseason, the Eagles were given more respect in the preseason polls than anytime in program history. With the No. 1 preseason ranking in the state of Florida and the No. 3 preseason ranking nationwide by MaxPreps, MVA quickly showed why the vote of confidence was warranted.

After a scoreless first inning, the Eagles exploded for seven runs in the top of the second. And after scoring another run in the top of the third, MVA put the game out of reach with a 13 run fourth inning to jump ahead by twenty-one.

Colby Reish, last season's state championship game hero, went 3-for-4 in the season opener with a home run, three runs and four runs batted in, while teammate Luna Taboas went 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs batted in. Miranda Murch went 2-for-3 with two runs and a run batted in and Danika Spinogatti was 2-for-2 with a run and two runs batted in. 

Nevaeh Williams earned the win in the circle after pitching four scoreless innings allowing two hits and striking out eight.

Montverde Academy returns to action on Tuesday at Bishop Moore at 6:00 pm.