{"id":1437,"date":"2026-05-22T23:34:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T23:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=1437"},"modified":"2026-05-22T23:34:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T23:34:39","slug":"winter-springs-softball-playing-for-late-teammate-wins-state-semifinal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=1437","title":{"rendered":"Winter Springs softball, playing for late teammate, wins state semifinal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On the surface, it appears simple to understand the Winter Springs softball team\u2019s successful season.<\/p>\n

Read more Miss Manners: I married a man who rode a tricycle 1,500 miles to meet me. People seem confused.<\/a><\/p>\n

The defending Class 5A state champions had a goal to repeat, and took another step closer with a 4-0 state semifinal win against Pembroke Pines Charter on Friday. The Bears advanced to Saturday\u2019s championship game, which will be played close to the Winter Springs campus at 1 p.m. at Boombah Soldiers Creek Park.<\/p>\n

The opponent is Niceville, the team Winter Springs defeated in last year\u2019s title game, 4-3.<\/p>\n

What many don\u2019t know, however, is that the drive and determination of the Winter Springs girls goes far deeper than just wanting a another trophy. They\u2019re driven by the death of one of their teammates. Kennedy Jackson, who started at first base last year as a freshman, died in October, a tragedy that was never officially ruled as accidental or suicide.<\/p>\n

The team was devastated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know how it happened. But we do know it was a tragedy,\u201d said Winter Springs coach Farrah Gordon, who watched Friday\u2019s victory from behind the left-field fence due to an illness. Assistant coach Eric Birle managed the on-field duties Friday and Gordon hopes to be back in the dugout Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a tragedy for our group but it allowed us to come together. It\u2019s been one of those things that throughout the playoffs, I can\u2019t stop thinking about that kid and how she should be out there,\u201d Gordon said. \u201cShe\u2019s definitely someone we miss, for sure. She was first-team all-conference last year. She was a stud.\u201d<\/p>\n

Winter Springs junior pitcher Tiffany Seeman was brought to tears when she was asked about Jackson after the Bears\u2019 Friday victory. Seeman had just completed her sixth straight shutout win, but the mention of her former teammate made her emotional.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt kind of like brought us closer together and made us have more of a purpose,\u201d Seeman said of Jackson.<\/p>\n

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Hagerty wins historic 7A softball title on Campbell Downing 2-run double<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n