Mike Ridaught
The tradition continues for the Trenton softball program.
Last night at the Women’s Center in Trenton, a total of four Trenton High School softball players signed letters of intent to play Division-I softball.
That makes 11 softball signees for the small Class 1A school since 2016.
“Having four D-I signees is big at any school, much less at a school with 350-400 kids,” said Trenton coach Todd Bryant. “We’ve had a special run the past 4-5 years. I’m just very proud of them. They’re going to do well where they’re going.”
Lillian Wilkerson signed with Florida Gulf Coast University.
Wilkerson has been a .375 hitter since her freshman year, and she has a “shutdown arm” according to coach Todd Bryant. Very few have stolen bases against her.
“I always knew that I wanted to go to the next level,” said Wilkerson, who noted how nice it was at the Atlantic Sun Conference school in Fort Myers. “The dorms are on the beach. There’s not much more that it could offer.”
Adrian Ingram signed with Florida Atlantic University.
She has been a .475 hitter the last three years, including a .526 batting average through 10 games last season before it ended abruptly due to COVID-19.
“I believe she’s the best defensive second baseman in the state of Florida,” said Bryant, who noted that she’s going to play shortstop for Trenton this year. “In the last four years she’s only made seven errors and that’s playing a bunch of games.”
Darian Ingram also signed with FAU.
Darian was named the Gainesville Sun’s Player of the Year and was also recognized by the Florida Dairy Farmers as the Class 1A Player of the Year.
She’s 46-4 in the circle with a state championship and a state runner-up finish since her freshman season. Darian has 427 strikeouts in the last four years.
“I think Darian’s numbers speak for themselves,” Bryant said. She’s a leader on the field. She’s everything you could ask for as a coach.”
Keeli Zingaro signed with Stetson University.
Last year, she was batting .742 with 10 extra base hits, including a team-leading five home runs in just 10 games. She also drove in 29 runs in only 10 games as a junior.
“She’s a really good hitter, very consistent, and clutch,” Bryant said. “She’s going to hit a lot of homeruns. Her power is very deceiving. She was on a tear last year and I would have loved to have seen her finish the year.”
Before they all move on to the next level, they will try and bring home another state title for Trenton in 2021.
“We have the potential to be very good and hopefully repeat what we’ve already done,” Darian Ingram said.
What these four in particular have already done is won 37 games in a row. They went 27-0 in 2019 to win the Class 1A state title. And they were 10-0 and ranked No. 5 in the country before COVID-19 shut things down and ended their seasons prematurely.
“They’re a big part of the reason that I’m back,” said Bryant, who had planned on retiring so he could watch his daughter Hallie, who signed with USF last year. “But having that core really helps the younger kids. They played as 7th and 8th-graders so they know what these younger kids are going through right now.”