Coral Springs Charter Softball Breaks Through to Win 6th State Championship in School History

by Matt Rothman May 22, 2026

by Matt Rothman May 22, 2026 2 minutes read

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Coral Springs Charter Softball Wins State Championship. {Courtesy}

The Coral Springs Charter School softball team is back on top after winning its first state championship since 2019.

The Panthers, who previously won five straight state titles, went seven years without a championship before reclaiming the crown under head coach Mark Montimurro. The title marks the sixth state championship in school history and the eighth of Montimurro’s legendary career, but he wanted this one for the girls as he improves to 17-2 in State Semifinals and Championships.

“It’s really hard to win a state title,” Montimurro said. “I’ve had my time in the sun. They wanted it and understood what it took to finish the job.”

CSC faced third-seeded Eustis High School in the championship game after advancing with a 14-0 semifinal victory over McKeel Academy. After driving in five runs, Gio Gurgel helped spark the offense in the first inning as the Panthers scored six runs to take an early lead. Jazzy Chung added a two-run single, while Bree Martinelli and Leah Rutherford each recorded RBIs.

Eustis, though, fought back and held the Panthers hitless through the rest of the game. They also scored a run in the second and fourth innings, though Courtney Wahlbrink was lights out once again.

The Panthers finished the season with a 23-4 record. Three of their four losses came in extra innings, and all four defeats were by a single run. After falling to nationally ranked Cardinal Gibbons High School in both the Big-8 and District Championships, CSC responded by defeating them in the Regional Final.

The Panthers also earned two playoff victories over Pompano Beach High School and a postseason win against Somerset Academy.

“Winning the state championship was honestly an unreal feeling,” Gurgel said. “All the hard work, hot practices, and the very challenging path to get a chance at states made that moment so special. Once we won, it was just pure excitement and pride knowing we accomplished something we had worked so very hard and long for.”

The team featured only two seniors, with both Gurgel and Leah Rutherford set to compete at the collegiate level. Thiele was the lone junior on the roster, as the Panthers captured the championship with a young core that included four eighth graders, four freshmen, and five sophomores.

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Matt Rothman

Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student.