Mike Ridaught
GAINESVILLE (June 8) – Senior pitcher Darian Ingram of Trenton High School has been named the Florida Dairy Farmers 2021 Miss Softball following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school softball coaches and media representatives.
“I’m very honored to receive the award,” Ingram said. “And a huge thank you to my coaches and teammates for pushing me this season and giving me the chance to make our accomplishments a reality.”
Ingram (18-1) led the Tigers to their second straight Class 1A state title this season (2019 & 2021), an undefeated COVID-19 season in 2020, and a state runner-up finish in 2018.
“Darian has been one of the most dominating players in Florida high school softball for the past four years,” said Trenton coach Todd Bryant, who noted she’s had some help from good defense. “She’s been a great teammate and has always been willing to share the spotlight. I’m thankful I had the chance to coach her.”
The Florida Atlantic University signee threw eight no-hitters this season, including a perfect game, and posted an 0.61 ERA with 232 strikeouts in 114 innings pitched.
“Darian has written her way into the record books and I don’t think anyone can dispute that,” Bryant said. “We beat some big teams along the way because she kept us in every game. We just needed to score a few to have a chance.”
She also had a .440 batting average.
It was the closest voting in the history of the award.
Ingram, the 2-time Class 1A Player of the Year, finished with 110 points and collected six of the 24 first-place votes to finish ahead of Class 7A POY Cassidy McLellan of Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton), who had five first-place votes and 104 points, and Class 6A POY Alyssa Zabala of Doral Academy who had five first-place votes and 100 points.
Class 4A POY Libby Levendoski of Eustis finished fourth (90), followed by Class 5A POY Julia Knowler of Fort Myers (76), Class 3A POY Rachael Petrarca of Academy of Holy Names (26) and Class 2A POY Morgen Talley of Canterbury (22).
The Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to the state’s youth. This is the 29th year of these unique awards as we honor the state’s top athletes and coaches in all 30 FHSAA sanctioned and recognized sports. The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan.
2021 FINAL VOTING RESULTS: (Points awarded on a 10-7-5 basis)
Player Total Points 1st _ 2nd 3rd
Darian Ingram Trenton 110 6 5 3
Cassidy McLellan, Lakewood Ranch 104 5 2 8
Alyssa Zabala, Doral Academy 100 5 5 3
Libby Levendoski, Eustis 90 3 5 5
Julia Knowler, Fort Myers 76 4 3 3
Rachael Petrarca, Academy of Holy Names 26 0 3 1
Morgen Talley, Canterbury 22 1 1 1
Past Miss Softball Winners:
1993 – Jodi Hughes, Palmetto (Fast Pitch)
Mary Babb, Barron Collier (Slow Pitch)
1994 – Jean Bonnici, Naples
1995 – Monica Triner, East Bay
1996 – Michelle Moschel, Naples
1997 – Kellie Wilkerson, Jacksonville Mandarin
1998 – Jennifer Gladding, Martin County
1999 – Jennifer Joiner, Bell
2000 – Claire Sua, St. Thomas Aquinas
2001 – Julie Henneke, Sickles
2002 – Erin Horn, Tallahassee Leon
2003 – Stacey Stevens, Gainesville Buchholz
2004 – Allison Kime, Valrico Bloomingdale
2005 – Dani Hofer, Palm Harbor University
2006 – Kelsi Dunne, Port Orange Spruce Creek
2007 – Kelsi Dunne, Port Orange Spruce Creek
2008 – Kelly Saco, Miami Palmetto
2009 – Erin Schuppert, Neptune Beach Fletcher
2010 – Kasey Fagan, Dunnellon
2011 – Emily Sanders, Bartow
2012 – Shelby Turnier, Palm Beach Gardens
2013 – Stephanie Texeira, Gulliver Preparatory School
2014 – Korina Rosario, West Florida
2015 – Morgan White, Ocala Forest
2016—Lauren Mathis, West Orange
2017 – Ally Muraskin, Coral Springs Charter
2018 – Lexi Kilfoyl, Academy at the Lakes
2019 – Lexi Kilfoyl, Academy at the Lakes