Plant City High’s softball team won its first district championship in four years Friday, April 17, thanks to a strong team effort. One of the Lady Raiders’ key players throughout the district tournament was sophomore catcher Edmilly Molina, who went 3-for-4 against defending champion Durant and added two RBI and two runs to help win the April 15 semifinal game, 9-5.
How does it feel to wrap up the regular season as district champion?
It felt great. It was actually the first championship I’ve ever won, and I’ve played softball my whole life. It was definitely a great feeling. I wouldn’t rather win it with any other group of girls — they’re a great group of girls. We played hard, we played great, and hopefully we can carry on to states and take it all home.
It’s been a little while since Plant City won the district. How does it feel to snap the cold streak?
It feels great, honestly. We work hard for what we want, and we definitely deserve it. We practice hard every day, rain or shine. I’m really proud of them, and I’m really proud of the way we’re playing, the way we played against East Bay. I’m really happy for that.
You all came out aggressively against East Bay and got a big win. But, before that, you had to take on the defending champs. How did you prepare for that?
Whenever I get ready for a game, I just try to stay as focused as possible. I focus on every play, every pitch when I go up to bat, and we all, as a team, try and stay as focused as possible. Our main thing is to get motivated — to get hyped, as our coach says — always stay up in the dugout and stay in the game.
You finished the regular season as one of the top players in the area, if not the top offensive player in the area. What did you work on in the offseason to get to the point you’re at today?
My goal was to get 30 hits this season, and to hit better than I did my freshman year. Before every single game, I’d come right after school and I’d hit, and take BP with my dad because I feel like I needed a little more to get myself ready for every game. In the summer, I just try and work as hard as possible because I would love to get a scholarship to get to college. I really want my hard work to pay off, and I want to get into a great school and a great program.
Do you play any other sports?
Just softball. I tried cheerleading when I was younger, but it’s just kind of something I did in my “girlier” stage. I tried to take a break from softball, but I didn’t like it as much. I’ve been playing since I was four years old.
Is there any sport you’ve always wanted to try?
I’ve always wanted to play volleyball. I just feel like the game is always intense. I’ve played it in P.E. a couple of times, and it’s a really fun game to play.
Who’s your favorite athlete of all time?
My favorite athlete of all time, I would probably have to say, is Lee Ann Spivey. She plays for USF. She’s a catcher. I really look up to her because she’s a catcher as well, and just to see how hard she works, how much of an athlete she is, she’s a pretty amazing player. I go to their games quite often, and just to see her play really gets me motivated. I want to get into a great college like that, and I want to play as hard as she does.
When you’re not playing sports, what do you do for fun?
I’m a very creative, crafty kind of person, so I make bracelets. I’m very into vintage stuff — vintage furniture and stuff — so I like to paint and refurbish old furniture. I especially like to do that with my mom. It’s a good bonding thing to do with her because I have my dad in the softball field and I have my mom when it comes to the girlier, crafty stuff. It’s fun.
What’s the latest project you’ve worked on?
It was last night. I made several bracelets. I make the Bourbon and Boweties kind of bracelets, and I just think they’re really cute. They’re just kind of trendy right now. I bought one and saw how it was put together, and I thought, “Hmm, maybe I should try it.”
If you could meet anyone you’ve always looked up to, who would it be?
I don’t know. My favorite celebrity is Ariana Grande but, athlete-wise, I would probably want to meet Evan Longoria. He’s also a great athlete and a really hard worker. I just want to meet someone who’s dedicated and loves what they do.