Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025 | Location: Doral Academy (Doral, FL) | First Pitch: 6:00 PM

This Thursday night in Doral, two of Florida’s top softball programs collide in a non-conference showdown packed with storylines, star power, and postseason implications. The Doral Academy Firebirds (20-1), ranked No. 1 in the state and top 10 nationally, will welcome the surging Wellington Wolverines (13-3) in what promises to be a high-caliber test for both squads.

Doral’s Dominance on Display

Doral Academy has been rock solid all season—dominant at the plate and equally suffocating in the circle. The Firebirds are riding a 20-game win streak against in-state opponents, and they’ve been particularly lethal at home, boasting an unblemished 11-0 record. What makes Doral so dangerous is their balance. Their team batting average sits at a blistering .394, with a staggering .598 slugging percentage and .491 on-base percentage.

Leading the offensive barrage is senior Anabela Abdullah, who has been nothing short of sensational. She enters the game hitting .565, with a team-best 1.226 slugging percentage and 10 home runs. Equally potent is Zoey Abdullah, who sports a .532 average, leads the team in runs scored with 39, and adds 25 RBIs to her resume. Simply put, there are no easy outs in this Firebirds lineup.

On the mound, Doral has been just as elite. The staff has combined for a minuscule 1.10 team ERA, anchored by Meagan Villazon (0.54 ERA, 7-0 record) and Camila Diaz (1.18 ERA, 7-0). Villazon, a senior, has struck out 50 batters in 38.2 innings, commanding the zone and minimizing base traffic with a WHIP of 0.75. Defensively, the Firebirds are crisp and reliable, fielding at a .962 clip.

Wellington: The Surprise Contender

Wellington has been one of the pleasant surprises in Florida this season. Expected to be solid, the Wolverines have exceeded expectations despite facing adversity. Their 13-3 record is impressive, especially considering they lost top sophomore Jessilyn Vera to a season-ending injury just four games in. Her absence could have derailed lesser teams, but Wellington rallied—and that resilience has fueled their rise to a top-15 state ranking.

At the plate, the Wolverines don’t overwhelm with power, but they execute well and have several capable hitters.Junior Carolina Baronci leads the way with a .409 batting average, showing consistency in big moments. Right behind her is Kaylee Riles, who has quietly become the team’s tone-setter, hitting .366 with a .490 OBP, 3 triples, and 16 runs scored. Riles’ ability to get on base and manufacture offense will be key if Wellington hopes to hang with Doral’s heavy hitters.

In the circle, Tori Payne has taken on a major workload and thrived. With a 1.00 ERA over 35 innings and a team-high 34 strikeouts, she’s been effective at limiting big innings and has the poise to challenge Doral’s aggressive approach. Defensively, the Wolverines field at .948, solid enough to stay in tight games, but they’ll need a near-flawless effort on Thursday.

Common Opponents & Momentum

Both teams share a handful of common opponents—including Park Vista, Coral Reef, and Palm Beach Gardens—with Doral often winning by wider margins. For instance, while Wellington edged Coral Reef 2-1, Doral routed them 11-0. This disparity in run differential underscores Doral’s explosiveness, but it also highlights Wellington’s ability to grind out wins even without gaudy stats.

Momentum also plays a role. Doral enters Thursday on a hot streak with 13 consecutive wins and a +150 run differential. Wellington, meanwhile, has responded well after a midseason dip and has won six of their last seven.

Prediction

Wellington is a gritty, well-coached team that deserves respect. They’ve played strong competition and found ways to win behind steady pitching and timely hitting. However, Doral Academy is operating on a different tier right now. Their offensive depth, elite pitching, and dominant home-field advantage make them a juggernaut.

Unless Wellington can get a lights-out start from Payne and capitalize on every scoring opportunity—while avoiding errors—it’s hard to see them keeping pace with the Firebirds’ firepower. Doral has too many weapons, and their big-game experience gives them the edge.