Twenty years ago, a group of girls from Lake Wales etched their names in the history books by winning the 2005 Junior League Softball World Series — a first for Polk County and still a feat unmatched to this day.
On Friday, May 16, the championship team reunited at Grove Roots Brewing Co. in Winter Haven to commemorate the 20th anniversary of that unforgettable summer. The night was filled with hugs, laughter, and memories of a team that turned a dream season into a legacy.
The 2005 squad’s journey took them to Seattle, Washington, where they faced off against some of the best teams in the country. Their path to the title wasn’t easy — one game stretched to 12 innings before they clinched a spot in the finals. In the championship game against La Grange, Texas, Lake Wales dominated with a shutout performance powered by solid pitching and defense.
Among the team’s many contributors were Hannah Rogers and MeMe Ward (Mechel-La Ward), who combined for 19 shutout innings during the championship round. Their performances were pivotal, but this reunion and the 2005 championship win wasn’t just about a couple of standout players — it was about the entire roster that made it happen.
That full roster included:
Jaclyn Anderson (now King), Sara Commerford, Whitney Deloach, Whitney Dukes (now Jones), Chasity Kincaid, Whitney McIntosh (also spelled Macintosh), Tabatha Martin (now Smith), Hannah Rogers (now Clay), Shaneque “Red” Simmons, Brittani Thomas, Tiffany Upchurch (now Trzcinski), and MeMe Ward.
Together, these young athletes formed a tight-knit group that thrived on chemistry, trust, and determination — qualities that helped them conquer opponents across Florida and the nation.
Reflecting on their path to the title, Whitney Macintosh recalled the intense level of play they faced within their own state:
“The competition I felt like we faced in state was a little bit harder than most of the stuff we faced outside of Florida. The competition in Florida is elite and it’s always been elite and it’s gotten even stronger in the years since. Once we got past Florida I could see the ring within sight.”
That competitive fire still burns brightly today. During an interview with Sara Commerford at the reunion, a simple question about the toughest opponent turned into a passionate debate among teammates. Answers flew — Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas — with several players strongly defending their picks. While opinions varied, the moment ultimately ended in agreement and laughter. It was a perfect snapshot of what made the 2005 team so magical: a collection of strong-willed girls who never shied away from a challenge but always found a way to come together. That unity forged a path to greatness — one that, to this day, has never been repeated in this area.
The team’s success was guided by a dedicated coaching staff that included Manager Richie Upchurch and Coaches Randy Thomas, Tim Martin, and Tim Rodgers — all of whom played a vital role in mentoring and preparing the girls for every stage of their journey. Both Martin and Rodgers joined the reunion to share memories, including stories of how local foster families in Seattle opened their homes to the girls during the tournament — a heartwarming tradition that left a lasting impression.
One moment the coaches recalled vividly was the grueling game that took place just before the championship. With no lights available at the field, the extra-inning game was suspended overnight and resumed the next morning. The team ultimately pulled off the win in the bottom of the 11th inning — a defining test of endurance and heart. When asked if there was a catchphrase or motto that helped drive the team, neither coach could recall a slogan, but Coach Tim Martin remembered simply telling the girls, “never give up.” He smiled as he added, “That was the thing about them — they never gave up.”
In addition to their World Series title, the team also claimed the titles of Region Champions, Florida State Champions, Section 4 Champions, and District 4 Champions — cementing their dominance during the 2005 season.
Many of the players from that team would go on to play high school softball together at Lake Wales High School, capturing another championship in 2007. Some continued on to compete at the collegiate level, but the bond forged during that unforgettable summer remains unmatched.
As the evening wrapped up, teammates shared stories of their toughest games, laughed over dugout memories, and even broke out into some of the cheers and dances they performed two decades ago. It was a fitting close to a night honoring not just a championship, but a sisterhood.
To this day, the 2005 Lake Wales Junior League Softball team remains the only Polk County team to win a Little League Softball World Series title — a legacy that still inspires, and a reunion that reminded everyone why it mattered.
