Western’s Caravaca, Lauderdale’s Washington are Broward 7A-6A Softball Players of Year

Arlette Caravaca helped keep Western among the best in South Florida, while Kaleea Washington elevated Fort Lauderdale to never-before-seen heights.

For their performances, they’re the Miami Herald’s Broward County Softball Players of the Year for Classes 7A-6A.

Caravaca is the Broward County Softball Player of the Year for 7A-6A for pacing one of the best teams in the county in just about every offensive category and leading the Wildcats to a District 14-7A title. The star outfielder led Western with a .438 batting average and .741 slugging percentage, five home runs, 19 stolen bases and 28 RBIs, and finished third on the team with a .464 on-base percentage.

Only a junior, Caravaca is already orally committed to Iowa.

“It was a great season,” said Caravaca, who was also a first-team All-Broward County selection last year at Cooper City. “We just ended up coming up short.”

The Wildcats were the No. 2 seed in Region 4-7A, but got upset in the first round of the Florida High School Athletic Association tournament by eventual-champion Spanish River.

Nevertheless, Western is poised to be a contender once again next year, with Caravaca, fellow outfielder Alana Cypress, infielder Ally Brady and pitcher Ali Solo -- all of whom were first-team All-Broward selections -- poised to return.

“I definitely think we have a good chance of going to states next year and I think we just need to fix our tiny mistakes that we made,” Caravaca said, “but I’m really happy and I’m super excited for next year.”

On the other side of the county, Washington helped the Flying L’s turn into a new Broward powerhouse with her two-way proficiency, but especially her work on the mound. It’s why she’s the Herald’s Broward County Softball Pitcher of the Year for Classes 7A-6A.

Across 100 innings, the star pitcher posted a 0.98 ERA, 134 strikeouts and just 21 walks, holding opponents to a .198 batting average. She also played some first base and batted .303 with two home runs and four doubles.

Led by Washington, Fort Lauderdale made the region championship for the first time, falling just short against Doral Academy in the Region 4-6A title game. In the region playoffs, she gave up just three earned runs and 16 hits while striking out 32 in 25 innings.

“It was definitely super exciting being able to make history with those girls,” the senior said. “I wouldn’t have had my season any other way.”

Next year, Washington is off to Marshall, where she’ll continue to play with sister Destiny Washington, who was also a first-team All-County selection as an outfielder.

“It’s really amazing being able to share such a connection with someone,” Washington said, “and being able to do the things that both of you love with them together always.”