Pitcher Miriam Schmoll calls it amazing season as Bayshore fans make cross-state trip to cheer
VER0 BEACH -- Bayshore High School didn't come home with the state softball title it wanted, but the Bruins gave fans memories they can cherish for a lifetime.
LaShara James gave her classmates something to talk about when they are in their rocking-chair years by homering in her last two at-bats.
Miriam Schmoll, the Bruins standout pitcher, couldn't save the Bruins from themselves as they committed six errors in a 9-2 loss to Coral Springs Charter School, Saturday in the Class 5A state championship game. But if it wasn't for the nationally touted pitcher, the Bruins never would've qualified for their first state championship game in a team sport.
None of the drama was lost on the contingent of several hundred fans, who came to support the team and cheered after the game in an effort to lift the players' spirits.
Schmoll and James, who carried the Bruins all year, also tried to console teammates.
"We were not ourselves today," said James, who signed with USF. "I think I had a phenomenal career. I probably didn't do as well this season as others, but I am proud of what I accomplished. I love catching Miriam. She is my best friend and our relationship has grown because of that. I wouldn't want to catch any other player."
Bayshore has reached the state final four in softball in two of the last three years. Two years ago the Bruins lost 2-1 in the state semifinal.
If Bayshore is to go again, Bruins head coach Frank Luther said some his girls need to start playing the game year-round, and he would like to see a better turn out.
"We have 12 players on the team and five of them probably should be on the JV, but to field a team they have to be up on the varsity," Luther said "I told our girls to keep their heads up. Hopefully, a lot more will play travel ball for the summer so they can get better. All the good players are doing that."
Schmoll, who has verbally committed to USF, will return for her senior year. She came into the state tournament with a 15-1 record and 186 strikeouts in 106 innings while compiling a 0.13 ERA.
"This season was truly amazing. We made history getting to the state final. I am very thankful for that and feel very blessed," Schmoll said. "I knew it would be a battle of pitchers. They put the bat on the ball and it was whether or not we could execute effectively. We made errors and the score was 9-2."
Alan Dell, Herald sports columnist/writer, can be reached at 941-745-7056. Follow him on Twitter@ADellSports
This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 9:19 PM with the headline "Pitcher Miriam Schmoll calls it amazing season as Bayshore fans make cross-state trip to cheer ."