Thanksgiving may be less than three weeks away and the winter season fast approaching, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead to the summer softball season in Florida next year.
After a highly successful initial season that featured outstanding college and incoming fastpitch signees for top-quality programs across the country, Year 2 of the Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL) is shaping up to be even bigger and better.
On Friday, the FGCL announced the newest, and final team, set to compete in the 2021 league will be the Anna Maria Aquanauts. According to a media release from the Sunshine State-based organization, “The head coach will be named at a future date and roster announcements will be forthcoming.”
The Aquanauts can be followed on Instagram @aquanautsb, or Twitter @aquanautsb.
The Myakka City River Mocs won the inaugural Florida Gulf Coast League Championship in July with an exciting 10-9 victory over the Manatee Squeeze in the title game.
FGCL Coach of the Year Michaela Transue led the River Mocs to a 21-2 record in the inaugural season while league Most Valuable Player Mack Leonard (Illinois State) and Offensive Player of the Year Lizzie Shubert (Stetson) helped power her lineup.
Click HERE to read more about Season 1!
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The FGCL will field 10 teams in 2021; here’s a look at each squad with coach and player updates as they stand now:
2020 Champs Myakka City River Mocs
- Coach: Michaela Transue returning as head coach.
- Players: Returners: league MVP Mack Leonard (Ill St), Gabby Benson (GA St), Madi Davis (UCF), Kaylee Erickson (BYU), Claire Ginder (Furman), Ari Quinones (UW) and Lizzie Shubert (Stetson). Newcomers: Madison Harris (UVA) and Casey Goguts (GA Tech), along with Grayson Radcliffe (Indiana), Jazzy Contreras (Oregon) and Saxon Radcliffe (ETSU).
Manatee Squeeze
- Coach: Head coach, Kara Dill (Texas A&M)
- Players: Returners: Kenna Wilkey (Northwestern), Megan Ricks (FGCU), Taylor Johnson (Wisconsin), Nikki Cuchran (Northwestern). Newcomers: Carsyn Saabye (FSU), Erin McDonald (Wichita St), Lauren Shaw (Iowa), Madison Owens (South Carolina), Maddie Bejarano (UCF), Molly Rainey (UCF) and Jordan Moore (Samford).
Bradenton Slice
- Coach: Gina Snyder returning as head coach (JU GA).
- Players: Returners: Maddie McPherson (GA Tech), Riley Ludlam (Furman), Adi Reese (Murray St College), Neleigh Herring (Wichita St), Breanna Roper (GA Tech), Maddi Banks (Ole Miss), Ashley Blessin (Marshall), Jazmine Dodd (Alabama St). Newcomers: Jessi Puk (Ole Miss) and Taylor Herschbach (Valparaiso).
Pioneers
- Coach: Erica Beach returning as head coach with Karlie Milburn (Michigan GA) assisting.
- Players: Returners: Kara Saylor (Stetson), Kayla Howald (Campbell), Sophie Hannabas (Southeastern LA), Cammeo Presutti (FAU), Jordyn Petty (Barry), Taylor Gilmore (Colorado St), Newcomers: Kailey Christian (Delaware), Tyler Trott (Colorado St), Jada Smallwood (Maryland), Hanna Garber (Delaware), McKayla Timmons (Ball St).
Siesta Key Phinz
- Coach: Head Coach Aaron Vail (Furman).
- Players: Maia Radar (Oregon St), Erin Brown (St. Johns), Jaeda McFarland (Maryland), Emma Whitfield (Clemson), Mazie MacFarlane (Utah St), Mackenzie MacFarlane (Utah St), Mia Kraimer (South Dakota), Abi Stuart (Clemson), Lexie Webb (Fresno St), Rachael Hathoot (New Mexico), Izzy Owen (New Mexico), Alyssa Pinto (San Diego St), Kinley Stewart (GA Tech), Blake Neleman (GA Tech), Kaitlyn Orme (Ferris St).
Sarasota Circus
- Coach: Head Coach Carsyn Gordan (PBA GA), Assistant Coach Aleima Lopez (Ole Miss GA).
- Players: Stormy Kotzelnick (UW), Jordyn Wolfe (Louisville), Jocelyn Alonso (FIU), Natalie Morgan (Furman), Riley Grunberg (UTSA), Taylor Medina (USTA), Kasey Fava (UCF), Ellie Armistead (Georgia).
South Bradenton Skeeters
- Coach: Head Coach Cara Parker (Santa Fe), Assistant Coach Marisa Runyon (TTU).
- Players: Melina Livingston (Penn St), Emily Winburn (Delaware), Lauren Klein (Stetson), Bailey Turnbow (ETSU), Morgan Britt (UNCW), Chloe Lee (Marshall), Aly Harrel (Marshall), Jamaica Flowers (AL State), Sterling Hairston (Campbell), Rachel Warrens (George Mason), Cally Kildow (Arkansas), Raegan Conley (FAU).
Anna Maria Aquanauts
- Coach: Head Coach (TBA).
- Players: Kinsey Goelz (Florida), Bailee Richardson (Ga Tech).
Manatee Impact
- Coach: Head Coach Savannah Webster (Winthrop). Assistant coaches include Mike Scott, Maddie Antone and Chuck Goodwin all of Winthrop.
- Players: Roster TBA soon.
Bradenton Lynx
- Coach: Head Coach Lindsay Fico (Santa Fe).
- Players: Roster TBA soon. (several returners expected on this team)
