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Softball Team Remembers Teammate Killed In Pace Wreck
December 27, 2024
Tuesday night, December 17, Sofia Bennett-Tidwell of Molino threw her last pitch ever at a 2030 Show Stoppers practice. That pitch is pictured above.
The following morning, Sofia died in a horrific four-vehicle crash on Quintette Road in Pace.
Yesterday, her teammates placed a cross in your memory along Quintette Road at Tunnel Road.
“Her smile, her drive, her commitment, her athleticism, her heart, her attitude and her effort earned her a roster position on the team and in our hearts forever,” the Showstoppers said in a social media post. “As a teammate, she was second to none! She was the best cheerleader any team could ask for and she was the fiercest competitor. As a player she set the bar for anyone to want to follow.”
Show Stoppers players place the cross, topped by a helmet, Thursday. It’s surrounded by Christmas flowers and stuffed animals. While Sofia joined the team just over two years ago, about 10 of the players have played softball together for years.
Sofia’s teammates and coaches signed the back of the cross with personal messages.
“Flight high sweet girl.” “We will miss you so much sweet girl.” “Best smile ever.” — are just a few of the messages.
“This team is like nothing I’ve ever known as far as how close the players and parents are. We’re truly a family,” Stephani Pryon, a mom from the team told us. “They’re literally all our kids.”
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released a cause of the four-vehicle crash. FHP Traffic Homicide and FHP Commercial Vehicle units are continuing their investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
3 Responses to “Softball Team Remembers Teammate Killed In Pace Wreck”
I had the pleasure and privilege of being the first coach that Sofia played for. We were the Molino Thunder Sisters 10u. This pretty, shy little girl showed up to our first practice very unsure of herself, very reserved and very much unaware of the journey she was embarking on. Coming from golf to softball was a challenge. She very quickly opened up and caught on and really started enjoying herself and the game. I used to tease her all the time telling her Tiger Woods would be so proud of her swing. Batting practice was a challenge to say the least. We needed another pitcher so I asked the team for volunteers who wanted to learn how to pitch. Half the team, including Fia, had their hands raised. I then began telling them about the dedication required to training and the pressure they would be under to learn such a skilled position and the hands slowly started going down, except for hers. Being the least experienced girl on the team, she decided she wanted to at least give it a try. So we began coming to practice early, staying late and the occasional saturdays at the park to get the basics down and be able to throw on the plate. Sofia and her parents were very excited and dedicated to her learning. She quickly got better and better and before long she was starting games. It wasn’t always pretty. There were lapses in confidence. There were some ugly games. But with assurance from myself, her parents and her sisters on the team she always found it in herself to keep moving forward with her best effort. We had a so so season but it was a very fruitful one for her. It sparked a love for the game that I had only witnessed before in my own daughters and that I am so grateful that I got to share with her. Even if only for the one season. I had coached softball for several years and as a coach you develop bonds unlike any other with the kids you are teaching. They are all special. But some of them touch your heart in a way that’s indescribable. I am very proud of the young lady and the player that Sofia had become. I am so grateful that I could be a part of setting her on a path to her hopes and dreams in a sport that has captivated so many little girls. My family and I are so heartbroken at the loss of such a beautiful, talented young lady whom we all loved dearly. I am even more heartbroken for her family to have suffered such a great loss especially at this time of year. You Will be hard pressed to meet a more loving, giving family as them. They deserve all the love and support that we can give to them at this most difficult time. John, Sandy and Juliana, we all love you and we all grieve with you. You have our most sincere prayers and sympathies.
So very sorry for your loss. Love for her shows in that nice memorial. So glad you have such a close and caring team and families.
Time will heal the pain. Love will keep her with this group forever. Very sweet roadside Memorial.