The Lady Brahmans celebrate following their win over Jensen Beach. [Photo courtesy OHS Softball]

OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee High School Lady Brahman softball team kicked off their entrance in the regional playoffs with a big win.

The Lady Brahmans were hosting the Archbishop McCarthy Lady Mavericks in the opening round of the regional playoffs on May 6. Okeechobee got on the board early, with two runs in the bottom of the first, before adding two more runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The Lady Brahman defense held Archbishop McCarthy scoreless until the top of the sixth when the Lady Mavericks finally got on the board with three runs. But despite the late rally, they still trailed Okeechobee 4-3. And the Lady Brahmans went on to add four more runs to put the game out of reach and secure the 8-3 victory.

Melaine Bonilla and Lilly Larson led Okeechobee in the regional quarterfinal with 2 RBIs, while Charisma Micco had three hits and Haylee Pendrey, and Hayden Slovenski each had two hits.

That win advanced the Lady Brahmans to the regional semifinals where they faced the American Heritage Lady Patriots. That game had to be rescheduled a few times due to weather, but eventually American Heritage notched a 10-1 win over Okeechobee to advance in the playoffs.

Okeechobee secured the trip to regionals with their dramatic extra innings win over the Jensen Beach Lady Falcons on April 30. Okeechobee defeated Jensen Beach 7-5 in the district championship. The Lady Brahmans were actually trailing the Lady Falcons 5-3 in the top of the seventh and final inning, when a 2-RBI double from junior Audra Friend tied the game at 5-5.

In the eighth inning junior Teyha Nunez and sophomore Dyani Jayda each drove in a run to put Okeechobee up 7-5, with the Lady Brahman defense putting things away in the bottom of the eighth to secure the victory.

Junior Charisma Micco led Okeechobee on the pitcher’s mound, striking out nine batters.

Okeechobee has now won back-to-back district championships in softball. Last year the Lady Brahmans defeated Joaquin Garcia 9-3 in the district championship.