Montverde Academy softball captured its fourth consecutive Montverde Academy Invitational Softball Tournament (MAIST) championship with a 3-1 victory over IMG Academy on Saturday evening at the Montverde Academy Softball Complex.
After two scoreless innings, Montverde Academy broke through in the bottom of the third when Addie Poe launched a two-run home run to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead — runs that proved to be all Montverde Academy would need.
Poe had a dominant tournament at the plate, finishing the three-day event with three home runs and 13 runs batted in. She homered in each game, beginning with a three-run blast on Thursday and a grand slam on Friday night before her two-run homer in the championship game. Poe was named to the All-Tournament Team and earned the tournament's Slugger Award.
IMG Academy trimmed the lead to 2-1 with a run in the top of the fifth inning, but the Eagles added an important insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Carly Howard, pinch running for Missy Odom, scored from second base on an IMG Academy throwing error to extend the lead to 3-1.
Poe finished 1-for-2 with a walk, a home run, and two RBIs. Cali Flowers went 1-for-3 with a double, while Andrea Gomez was 1-for-1 with a walk.
Nevaeh Williams earned the win with a dominant complete-game performance in the circle. She allowed just one run on two hits, walked none, and struck out eight. She was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after earning pitching victories in all three Montverde Academy games during the tournament.
Montverde Academy placed four players on the MAIST All-Tournament Team:
MAIST Awards
With the win, Montverde Academy improves to 5-0 on the season. The Eagles return to action Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at Eustis.
