BRIGHTON — After honoring its two eighth graders, the Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School softball team won its final home game of the season April 14 against the junior varsity squad from Moore Haven High School.

PECS scored seven runs on bases loaded walks in the first inning and cruised to an 18-7 win. Amid the walk-fest, there were some hard hit balls, including a two-run double by Macayden Sardina to right field. Defensively, PECS shined, too, as the infield executed a perfect rundown between first and second.

Amalia Estrada, who was the starting pitcher, moved to catcher in the second inning and promptly picked off a runner at third base, firing the ball to Jamelynn Anderson for the out.

Before the game, Estrada was honored along with Jalaaya Hunsinger as the team’s only eighth graders. They were given gift baskets by their teammates and were joined in the pitcher’s circle by their families, head coach Elle Rivero and her assistant coach and younger sister Lexi Thomas.

Principal Tracy Downing read the future plans of both players to the crowd. Estrada will attend Okeechobee High School. She wants to earn a degree from Florida State University and become a teacher. Hunsinger will be headed to Moore Haven High School. Her career plans are to be a cosmetologist or lawyer.

The recently married Rivero said after the game that she enjoyed coaching the players this season – her second year as head coach – but that she’s not planning on returning next season. Rivero said the team, which won most of its games, should be strong again next year considering most of the players were sixth and seventh graders this season.

Rivero brought plenty of softball experience to the team, having been a standout at Okeechobee High and then played at Indian River State College. PECS wrapped up its season with an away game the following day. There was no postseason tournament this year.