Former Viera High School graduate Alex Sosa is helping the University of Miami baseball team stay competitive this season. The 2023 graduate transferred to the Hurricanes after starting his collegiate career at North Carolina State, and his power-hitting has contributed to Miami’s 29-11 record. Sosa, who led Viera in home runs as a senior, is averaging 14 home runs and 35 RBIs this spring while playing first base and designated hitter.
Meanwhile, Cocoa native Emily Carter is dominating on the softball diamond for Florida State. The 2022 graduate is pacing the Seminoles with a .382 batting average and 12 home runs, earning her a spot on the ACC All-Tournament team. Carter’s performance has drawn interest from professional scouts, with one MLB team offering a tryout invitation after her recent game against UNC.
Other Brevard alumni are making noise elsewhere. Satellite Beach graduate Jake Martinez, now a pitcher for UCLA, has a 3.12 ERA in 28 innings this season. His fastball, which regularly hits 93 mph, has been a key factor in the Bruins’ 24-8 record. Martinez, who was named All-American as a senior at Satellite Beach, is being compared to former MLB pitcher Zack Greinke by coaches.
Local coaches say the talent pipeline from Brevard County is stronger than ever. "We’ve had kids from Viera, Cocoa, and Titusville making noise at the Division I level," said Melissa Torres, a softball coach at Brevard High. "They’re getting recruited by top programs because they’re prepared." The 2026 spring season has seen 12 former Brevard athletes compete at the NCAA level, with several projected to declare for the 2027 MLB draft.
The impact isn’t limited to the field. Sosa, Carter, and Martinez are all participating in youth clinics across the Space Coast, sharing their experiences with local players. "It’s about showing kids from Brevard that they can make it," Sosa said after a recent clinic in Melbourne. "We’re not just making noise—we’re making history."