FORT MYERS, Fla. — Just a couple of years ago, Evangelical Christian wasn’t known as a softball school. The Sentinels had only made the state tournament twice since the turn of the century (2016 and 2010). They had only made the playoffs three times prior to that.

However, ECS softball has officially turned the corner. Since 2021, the Sentinels have not only made states, but have reached the Regional Finals three straight years. That includes this season as ECS is one of four Southwest Florida teams still alive and fighting for a spot in the Final Four.

“We set goals for ourselves early in the season and this was one of our goals,” ECS softball head coach Johnny Manetta said.

Attaining that goal looked a little shaky at the start. ECS began the season just 4-4, a shocking start for a team that returned most of its players from the 2022 Final Four squad.

“I think we needed that,” ECS sophomore outfielder Kylie Shaw said. “It really brought us together. I think going through that low point in our season helped us gain confidence in each other.”

That confidence led to 16 wins over the next 18 games. The Sentinels are currently on a 12-game winning streak, which includes a division title.

“We just play really well as a team,” Shaw said.

This success is even more impressive when you consider the history of ECS softball. The Sentinels rarely saw the playoffs prior to this three-year run. Plus, ECS didn’t have a home field a couple of years ago as the school was rebuilding its athletic complex.

“Honestly, it’s just been so cool to just get different coaching and bring in a bunch of different players and different talents,” ECS junior Zoe Yzaguirre said. “It feels really great to have a winning team.”

ECS’s success is also in large part thanks to their new head coach. Manetta is currently in his second season with the Sentinels after spending 11 years as the Fort Myers High School skipper. Manetta won two state titles with the Green Wave during that time. Now, he is attempting to bring home another trophy, but this time for ECS.

“I love to win,” Manetta said. “I wanted to bring that winning mentality to ECS from Fort Myers High School. I think we’ve been very successful very early.”

ECS takes on Lakeland Christian in the Regional Final this Friday.