If you ask Emma Pynes if she is a pitcher, the likely answer would be no, even though she was 8-2 in the circle for Cornerstone Charter School this past season while helping lead the Ducks to a runner-up finish in the Class 2A FHSAA state softball championships.
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She would much rather be classified as an outfielder, which is where she figures to play for Tennessee once she arrives in Knoxville in 2027. But the talented junior, who is the Orlando-area coaches’ choice for the Sentinel’s 2026 Player of the Year, has one more high school season.
“That’s awesome. That is fantastic,” Cornerstone coach Dan Labozzo said of the honor for his star player. “She’s athletic, a hard worker, great leadership. She just wants to win, that’s her biggest thing. She wants to win, wants to compete and that’s what makes her so special.”
Pynes transferred to Cornerstone after playing her freshman season at Timber Creek (batting .438) and she let it be known that she didn’t really enjoy being a pitcher.
“Realistically, she’s not a pitcher. She tells me that all of the time. “She’s the best non-pitcher I have ever seen,” Labozzo said with a laugh. “When she came to us she did not want to pitch in any way, shape or form. We just had to get her back to a point where she felt comfortable again.
“If she decided that she wanted to go to school at (NCAA) D-I and pitch, she could have been a pitcher all along, because she’s that talented.”
She shared pitching duties at Cornerstone with eighth-grader Izzy Choquette and struck out 114 batters. She also played centerfield as a slugger.
“She’s a power hitter who hits for average,” Labozzo said.
Pynes batted .500 this season (45-of-90) with 9 home runs, 10 doubles and 5 triples and led the Ducks with 33 RBI. She also stole 13 bases and had just 3 errors in 45 outfield chances in centerfield.
“She’s a smart kid. AP classes, so she’s not just an athlete,” Labozzo said. “She’s just a joy to coach. “Every day that she comes to practice, we’re having a good time, but she’s there to work. We don’t take things to serious where we are and just having her around is pleasant. She’s always cracking jokes. She’s a funny kid.
“I don’t know if there will be another kid like that one. She’s just a special player,” Labozzo said.
Pynes edged out The First Academy shortstop Luna Taboas in the Player of the Year coaches’ voting. Taboas, last year’s Player of the Year when she was at Montverde, was followed by Hagerty shortstop Mattingly Klein. Winter Springs catcher Lauren Daugherty and East Ridge second baseman Veronica Peterson tied for fourth.
All-Area first team
(listed by in order of coaches votes)
Luna Taboas, Sr., Infielder, Shortstop, The First Academy
Batted .686 (59-of-86) with 9 doubles, 6 triples and 2 home runs, with 32 RBI. Had 33 steals. Three errors in 45 chances (95%).
Mattingly Klein, Jr., Infielder, Hagerty
Batted .500 (47-of-94) with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs and 26 RBI. Had 13 steals. Five errors in 63 chances (91%).
Lauren Daugherty, Jr., Catcher, Winter Springs
Batted .400 (36-of-90) with 11 doubles, 6 home runs and 35 RBI. Made zero errors and threw out 6 baserunners.
Veronica Peterson, Sr., Infielder, East Ridge
Hit .578 (59-of-102) and had 11 doubles, 3 triples and 1 double with 32 RBI. Stole 28 bases. Had zero errors in 60 chances.
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Taylor Smith, Sr., Catcher, Apopka
Hit .429 (30-of-70) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs and 29 RBI. Made 1 error in 100 chances.
Addison Poe, Sr., Outfielder, Montverde
Batted .329 (26-of-79) with 3 doubles, 3 triples and 9 home runs.
Rylie Morris, Jr., Outfielder, Lake Brantley
Batted .484 (45-of-93) with 15 RBI. Had 18 stolen bases. Had 1 error in 24 chances.
Izzy Choquette, 8th grade, Pitcher, Cornerstone Charter
Was 12-2 with 142 strikeouts. Batted .304 (21-of-69) and 12 RBI.
Naveah Williams, Sr., Pitcher-First base, Montverde
Was 11-5 with 154 strikeouts. Batted .270 (20-of-74).
Lauren Compton, Sr., Pitcher, Lake Brantley
Was 15-4 with 154 strikeouts. Hit .390 (30-of-77) with 13 doubles, 1 home run and 26 RBI.
Tiffany Seemann, Jr., Pitcher, Winter Springs
Was 15-5 with 7-4 strikeouts. Batter .349 with 6 doubles, 2 triples and 4 home runs with 26 RBI.
Bella Ortiz, Fr., Pitcher, Hagerty
Was 12-3 with 138 strikeouts. Hit .279 with 7 doubles and 3 home runs.
Second Team
(Listed Alphabetically)
Katie Bayly, Sr., Infielder, Mount Dora Christian
Sabrina Boyer, Jr., Infielder, Lake Brantley
Lily Bryant, Sr., Infielder, Mount Dora Christian
Ava Hertz, Jr., Outfielder, Seminole
Kylie Holden, So., Shortstop, Ocoee
Abigail Hooper, Jr., Outfielder, Winter Springs
Amiyah Jones, Sr., Infielder, Deltona
Maggie Long, So., Pitcher, Seminole
Kendall Kemp, Jr., Infielder, Eustis
Lauren McMeel, Sr. Infielder, The Master’s Academy
Brooklyn Powhida, Jr., Catcher, Eustis
Carson Roden, Sr., Pitcher, Eustis
Skaii Rodriguez, Jr., Shortstop, Lake Howell
Bella Smith, 8th grade, Catcher-Infielder, Cornerstone Charter
Rylin Sprague, Jr., Infielder, Lake Brantley
Katelyn Wassey, Sr., Outfielder, Winter Springs
Honorable Mention
(Listed by school)
Apopka: Alicia Lopez, Sr., Infielder; Ava Millspaugh, Sr., Pitcher; Shylah Pino, Sr., Infielder.
Bishop Moore: Riley Johnson, Sr., Infielder-Pitcher; Ariana Lara, Sr., Infielder, Bishop Moore.
Boone: Ava Solberg, Jr., Infielder.
Cornerstone Charter: Kenzie Boisvert, Sr., Catcher.
Deltona: Andrea Stump, Sr., Infielder; Sophia Weinrich, Jr., Catcher.
East Ridge: Leila Bolden, Sr., Catcher; Simmone Hymiller, Jr., Pitcher; Molly O’Hara, So., Infielder; Grayson Martino, Sr., Infielder.
East River: Katherine Sanchez, Jr., Pitcher-Infielder.
Eustis: Emmy Luke, Jr., Infielder; Adriana Covino, Sr., Outfielder; Dalilah Taylor, Jr., Outfielder.
Foundation Academy: Riley Winters, Sr., Utility.
Geneva: Dallas Esperas, 8th grade, Infielder-Pitcher; Jazlyn Rodriguez, 8th grade, Infielder.
Hagerty: Addison Dilger, So., Pitcher: Campbell Downing, So., Catcher; Alina Gallaher, Jr., Infielder.
Horizon: Morgan Welch Horizon, Jr., Pitcher.
Lake Brantley: McKaelyn Fowler, Jr., Outfielder; Maya Melendez, Fr., Infielder; Aurianna Turner, Sr., Outfielder.
Lake Mary: Addison Novitchkov, Jr., Infielder.
Montverde: Missy Odon, Pitcher-Outfielder; Colby Reish, Sr., Infielder.
Mount Dora: Kylee Castle, Fr., Catcher; Addison Ganus, Sr., Pitcher-Infielder.
Mount Dora Christian: Emma Bowman, Sr., Outfielder.
Oviedo: Peyton Clark, Fr., Infielder.
Seminole: Sammy Davidson, So., Outfielder; Brooklynne Farran, So., Catcher; Hurley Romero, Jr., Infielder.
South Lake: Zoe Sheffield, Jr., Outfielder.
Tavares: Bailey Rasmusen, Sr., Utility.
The First Academy: Emerson Gunkel, Sr., Pitcher.
Trinity Christian: Kay’la Jones, Fr., Shortstop.
Trinity Prep: Emma Hartung, Sr., Catcher; McKenna Hawley, Sr., Pitcher.
Winter Springs: Christina Brisson, Jr., Pitcher.
Umatilla: Chloe Rumford, Jr., Utility; Aylinn Thomas, Fr., Infielder; Abigail Bradshaw, Fr., Catcher.
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Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.