- December 26, 2024
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The year before Yessy Paneto became Flagler Palm Coast’s softball coach, the Bulldogs went 4-11. Two years later, they finished the season with a 13-5 record and their first playoff appearance in six years.
“Their attitudes got way better, and they believe. Once your attitude is better and you believe, the sky’s the limit,” said assistant coach John Kleinfelder, who joined Paneto’s staff when she took over last year.
The Bulldogs’ season ended with a 9-3 regional quarterfinal loss to Lake Mary on May 11.
“Nobody quit,” Kleinfelder said. “They played to the end.”
FPC loses seniors Bailey Holmes, Hannah Kurek, Madison Cercy and Kylee Burns, but they’ll return several key players, including outfielder Aun’Yale Howard (.545 batting average), catcher Sadie Schell (.462) and pitcher Alexis Laura (2.06 ERA).
“Our seniors were all starters and they all played fantastic defense, so we’ll have big holes to fill,” Kleinfelder said. “But I’m excited to see who’s coming out in the summer, and who’s going to fill them.”
The day before the softball team’s regional quarterfinal at Lake Mary, FPC’s baseball team also traveled to Lake Mary for a regional quarterfinal.
The Bulldogs, who had won their first district championship in eight years to get into the playoffs, fell to the Rams 10-0 in five innings.
Lake Mary left-hander Ryan Ashford scattered four hits to lead the Rams to their 23rd consecutive win. They lost their next game, however, 5-3 to Winter Park in the regional semifinals.
FPC's baseball season ended with a 16-13 record in Kyle Marsh’s first year as head coach. The Bulldogs won four in a row heading into the playoffs.
FPC will lose five seniors — Brayden Stuart, Dalton Schell, Jesse Baugher, Tristen Miller and Dalton Howell.
