See which SWFL softball teams advanced in the FHSAA playoffs Tuesday

A roundup of Southwest Florida softball playoff games played on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Class 5A-Region 3 semifinals Gulf Coast 8, North Fort Myers 0: Brian Hodgson knew coming into this season that his Gulf Coast team had the potential to be special. The young team, which features nine freshmen and sophomores, just had to believe in its ability to perform.

Don’t look now, but it appears the Sharks are starting to do just that. Gulf Coast (19-8) put together its best overall performance of the season, blanking top-seeded North Fort Myers 8-0 at Bobbie Dewey Field to earn its first trip to a regional final since former FGCU softball coach Dave Deiros guided the Sharks there in 2001. “That’s awesome; he’s a legend so to be able to follow that name, wow, that’s pretty cool,” Hodgson said.

Gulf Coast jumped on the Red Knights (22-4) in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs on an RBI double by freshman Keyah Kamara and a groundout by senior catcher Emma Caetano. “We told them to put up a crooked number in the first inning,” Hodgson said. “Obviously, that’s a stacked team over there, very well coached, lots of talent.

We had to come into their house and make it known that we’re here to play. ” The early scoring burst helped ensure that Kamara didn’t need to be perfect on the mound but the freshman phenom delivered a nearly spotless outing anyway. Against a North team averaging more than nine runs per game, she allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out 16 batters.