OAKLEAF -After seeing area baseball teams compete every year in an annual Tournament of Champions now in it 11th year; Oakleaf coach Christina Thompson said softball badly needed something similar.
Thompson made some phone calls and after a lot of hard work created the Inaugural Tournament of Champions softball tournament this weekend at Oakleaf.
The eight-team tournament will feature a mixture of a solid nucleus of local teams from West Nassau, Trinity Christian, Ponte Vedra and Oakleaf along with state powers West Orange, Aucilla Christian, Lakewood Ranch and Hardee County.
Seven of the eight were in Vero Beach last year excluding West Nassau with two of them West Orange and Oakleaf winning state titles.
Tournament play begins Friday at both Oakleaf High and Oakleaf Athletic Association (OAA), with games at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. before the rest of the tourney moves to Oakleaf High.
At OAA, Trinity and Aucilla play at 10 a.m., followed by Lakewood Ranch and Hardee at noon and a losers bracket game at 3 p.m., while at Oakleaf High, Ponte Vedra and host Oakleaf begins at 10 a.m., followed by West Orange and West Nassau. For the rest of the schedule and to follow the bracket click here https://sites.google.com/myoneclay.net/oakleafhighsoftball/tourn-of-champions.
Can’t make it out to Oakleaf, DuvalSports, the Prep Zone, Varsity Sports Network are all teaming up with the NFHSNetwork to broadcast the majority of the tournament on the NFHSNetwork.com.
AUCILLA CHRISTIAN WARRIORS (2-0)
Head Coach: Becky Brandies
Ranking: No. 2 in Class 2A state poll
History
State runner-ups (2014, 2017),
State champions (2015, 2016)
Final Four (1996, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Top Players:
Elizabeth Hightower (Sr., 1B/P) signed with Florida
Abigail Morgan (Sr., P/1B) signed with Florida Atlantic
Carly Joiner (Sr., SS)
Ashlyn Rogers (Jr. OF)
Outlook: Over the last seven years, Aucilla Christian has been to the Final Four five times winning two state titles and finishing second twice. It’s a safe bet to think Aucilla will end up in the Final Four for the fifth straight year and likely be the favorite to win the Class 2A state title. The pieces are still in place for another run thanks to the return of both Hightower and Morgan. Hightower, who signed with Florida, missed the 2016 season with a ACL injury but came back on fire finishing 12-4 with 142 strikeouts in 97 innings last season. Morgan, who signed with Florida Atlantic and became the ace while Hightower was out in 2016 and was the Big Bend Player of the Year in 2016, went 8-3 with a 1.05 ERA last season. Joiner signed with Valdosta State and has been on varsity since 2015, while Rogers hit .423 with 7 home runs and six doubles last season. Morgan, Hightower and Rogers were also on girls basketball team (22-6) that advanced to the Final Four this season.
HARDEE COUNTY WILDCATS (4-4)
Head Coach: Caitlyn Bess
Ranking: Not ranked
History
Playoff Appearances: 1995, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Final Four: 2017
Top Players
Mallory Gough (Sr., INF/OF) signed with Warner
Destinee Jackson (Sr., INF)
Lillian Salazar (Jr., OF)
Alexis McBride (Sr., INF)
Alayna Carranco (Sr. P)
Makayla Benaidez (Sr. P/OF)
Ashlee Patterson (Jr., OF)
Sarah Carlton (Jr., SS)
Outlook: A school that opened in the 1920’s has had little softball success but that all changed with the hiring of Bess, who has guided the Wildcats to four straight playoff appearances including the Final Four last season. After dropping their first three games, the Wildcats enter the tourney winners of 4 of their last 5 games, including a tough 1-0 loss to Sarasota in their most recent game. Part of that reason is the play of Jackson, who has been knocking the cover of the ball so far with three home runs and a nearly a fourth as a shot off the top of fence cap just missed going out for a triple. Jackson hasn’t been doing it alone though as Gough (Warner), McBride, Salazar, Patterson and Carlton have also contributed offensively on any given night. Carranco has been solid on the mound and at the plate including a bases clearing double for 4 RBI recently.
LAKEWOOD RANCH MUSTANGS (6-1)
Head Coach: TJ Goelz
Ranking: No. 2 in Class 8A state poll
History:
Final Four: 2012, 2013
Elite 8: 2017
Top Players
Emily Hughes (Jr., 2B) .333 avg, .500 OBP
Maddie Koczersut (Jr., LF) team leading .560 avg, 1 HR, committed to South Florida
Avery Goelz (So., 1B) .500 avg, 2 HR, team leading 9 RBI, committed to Florida
Morgan Cummins (Sr., C) .333 avg, 1 HR, 7 RBI, signed with LSU
Payton Kinney (So., P) 4-0, 23 IP, 36 K, 7 hits, 0.00 ERA, committed to U-CONN
Taylor Woodring (So., RF) .368 avg. 1 HR, committed to East Carolina
Kailey Christian (Sr., SS) .375 avg., 1 HR. 5 RBI, signed to State College of Florida
Alexis Schwab (Jr., OF) .375 avg., 2 RBI, 1 double
Brooklyn Lucero (So., P) .429 avg. 1-1, committed to NC State
Olivia Danko (Sr., Flex/CF) .333 avg. signed to Florida Gulf Coast
Madi LoCastro (Sr., 3B) signed to State College of Florida
Outlook: A 1-0 11-inning loss to Plant City in the Elite 8 kept Lakewood Ranch from advancing to Vero Beach and the Final Four last season. A coaching change and the hiring of assistant coach TJ Goelz has gone smoothly as the Mustangs are off to another solid start. Since a 4-3 loss Feb 27 at Sarasota the Mustangs have reeled off five straight wins outscoring their opponents 35-1 during the streak. Goelz, a well known travel ball coach in the Sarasota/Bradenton/Tampa area, has coached teams to top five finishes in the country the last six years. One thing is for sure he inherited a stack team that features six Division I commits or signees and will not only be a serious threat to win this tourney but also the 8A state title.
OAKLEAF KNIGHTS (7-1)
Head Coach: Christina Thompson
Ranking: No. 1 in Class 8A state poll
History
Final Four: 2015, 2017
Elite 8: 2016
Sweet 16: 2012, 2013, 2014
Top Players
Rebecca Koskey (Sr. ) FIU signee, .381 average
Angela Agurkis (Sr. ) Florida Atlantic University signee, .400, 9 RBI, 2 HR
Destiny Pacetti (Sr., OF) Pensacola State College and JU signee, .529
Madi Davis (Jr., P) UCF commit, 21-1 in career, 3-1 with 1.91 ERA and 27 K
Baylee Goddard (Jr., 3B) Florida commit, .429 average
Katie Kistler (So., OF) Florida commit .542, 7 RBI, 1 HR
Cambria Arturo (Jr., P) JU commit 3-0, ERA 0.98, 27 K
Kaylee Lambrecht (So., SS) NC State commit University, .435, 11 RBI, 1 HR
Madison Mifsud (Sr., C/3B) NC Central signee, .500 average
Outlook: What coach Christina Thompson and her staff have been able to do at Oakleaf is beyond incredible, making the playoffs every year for seven consecutive years since opening in 2011. With the exception of the first year where they lost in the first round, the Knights have advanced to at least the Sweet 16 six consecutive years and been to the Final Four twice, including winning their first state title last season. Despite losing some valuable pieces from the state title run, there are still enough pieces for a repeat performance. Having two dominant pitchers will help and cut down on over usage with both Davis and Cambria back. The lineup 1-9 is solid and often scary with Koskey, Agurkis, Pacetti, Goddard, Kistler, Lambrecht and Mifsud all dangerous. Thompson pointed out her team has 27 doubles and 5 home runs so far in just a few games. As tourney host Oakleaf is one of the favorite in the tourney and should face tough challenges from both Lakewood Ranch and West Orange.
PONTE VEDRA SHARKS (6-5)
Head Coach: Davita Hodge-Belcher
Ranking: Not ranked
History:
Final Four: 2012, 2014, 2017
Top Players
Kiley Hennessey (Sr., 2B) UCF signee
Quinlan Richmond (Sr., OF) UCF signee
Michelle Leone (Jr., SS) Penn St commit
Scotland David (So. OF) Oklahoma State commit
Michelle Holder (Jr., P)
Bailey Wagoner (Jr., C/3B)
Catherine Beaton (So., 1B/3B)
Audrey Matt (So., C)
Outlook: You couldn’t have asked for a better way to build a program than what Ponte Vedra has done. Opened in 2008, the Sharks have made the playoffs 8 of the 9 years and are currently on a six-year playoff streak with trips in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. As if that was good enough the Sharks have also made three Final Four appearances (2012, 2014, 2017) during that time also. Don’t look for either to stop as the Sharks return another solid nucleus of players including four Division I signee’s or commits in Hennessey, Richmond, Leone and David. Hennessey hit .441 and scored 18 runs and 13 RBI for the Sharks, while Wagner hit .429 and drove in 29 RBI, David was on fire in the postseason hitting . 789 in six playoff games, and scored 15 runs, while hitting .520 with 25 RBI, seven triples, six doubles and 16 stolen bases. Also back is ace pitcher and two time All-St. Johns County first team selection Holder, who finished 21-8 with a 2.02 ERA in 166 innings while accumulating 125 strikeouts and also hit .370 and a team high 34 RBI. 441 for the season.
TRINITY CHRISTIAN CONQUERORS (8-2)
Head Coach: JR Borden
Ranking: No. 4 in Class 4A state poll
History
Final Four: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2016, 2017
Top Players
Alexis Ross (Jr., OF) .425, 11 RBI, 1 DB, 1 HR, FIU commit
Amaya Ross (Fr., SS) .361, 8 RBI, 2 DB, 3 TP, FSU commit
MacKenzie Marell (Fr., ) .562, 19 RBI, 6 DB, 2 TP, 3 HR, Va Tech commit
Desi Connell (Sr., INF) .382, 7 RBI, 3 DB, 1 HR, FIU signee
Bailey Cooley (Jr., P) 9-2, 2.72 ERA, 50 K, 11 W, 61 innings
Breezy Burnett (8th, OF/INF) .429 average, 4 RBI
Outlook: Despite a coaching change, new coach Borden has the Conquerors cruising and should be heavily favored to get back to Vero Beach again for the third consecutive year. While some teams may struggle with having such a young team, the Conquerors seem to thrive on it. Like West Nassau, their may not be a younger team in the field then the Conquerors, who are led by cousins Alexis Ross and Amaya Ross, Marrell and Cooley. Alexis has been starting since the seventh grade, while Amaya has been on varsity since sixth grade.
WEST NASSAU WARRIORS (8-1)
Head Coach: Randalyn Rogers Bryant
Ranking: No. 9 in Class 5A state poll
History:
Final Four: 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2015
State runner-ups: 2015
Top Players
Emily Dixon (Sr., SS) College of Central Florida signee, .533, 8 RBI, 5 HR, 2 DB
Sklar Whitty (Sr., P) FAU signee, .381, 10 RBI, 8-1 mound, 1.32 ERA, 50 K in 53 innings
Hope Epps (Fr., 2B) .414 average
Bree Hartman (Fr., 3B)
Myyhala Moore (Fr., CF) .316 average
Bailey Studt (Fr., LF) .313 average
Madison Dixon (So., 1B)
Outlook: With just three seniors, all of which were on the team when they played for a state championship their freshman year, Bryant will rely on several underclassmen for help in getting back to Vero Beach again. Whitty, who is the reigning two-time Nassau County Player of the Year, is dominant on the mound and at the plate. Dixon, who hit 4 home runs last year, has hit 5 already this year including three in three straight games. Out of 14 varsity players, 7 are freshman and the Warriors currently start 2 seniors, 1 junior, 3 sophomores and 4 freshman. Bryant is expecting big things from Epps, Hartman, Moore, Studt and Dixon, whom missed the end of the season last year because of surgery. This group of sophomores and freshman never lost a game in middle school, so they are not use to losing at all, which is a good and bad thing. Bryant put together a very tough schedule an by having already wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the district they can prepare home stretch and playing the big dogs and get these “babies” some experience before the playoffs as Bryant put it.
WEST ORANGE WARRIORS (7-4)
Head Coach: Todd LaNeave
Ranking: Receiving votes in Class 9A State Poll
History
State championships: 1994, 2016, 2017
Final Four: 1994, 2005, 2013, 2016, 2017
Top Players
Lexi Blair (Sr., OF) .500 with 10 RBI, 3 triples, 1 HR
Landry Newgent (Sr., LHP) 1-3, 4.02 ERA, 18 ER, 12 K, 10 W
Cerynn Siemer (Sr., OF) .294, 7 RBI, 2 triples
Riley Fromberg (So., P) (6-0), 1.57 ERA, 24 K, 18 W, 8 ER, .208 opp average
Julia Sniffen (Sr., CF) .472, leads team with 17 hits and 13 RBI, 6 doubles
Lexi Mosur (Sr., INF) .219, 6 RBI, 3 doubles, 1 triple
Outlook: It’s been a nice run for West Orange winning back-to-back softball state championships in 2016 and 2017, while girls volleyball (28-0) won its first state title this fall and boys basketball lost in the Final Four last week to eventual state champion Oak Ridge. Blair is the reigning Class 9A Player of the Year and has signed with Michigan and has come up clutch for the Warriors in back-to-back state title runs as well as clutch hits in the postseason her freshman and sophomore years. West Orange is coming off winning the MAST Invitational last weekend, including a 13-10 win over Trinity Christian in the semifinals. The Warriors fell to a solid (11-1) East Ridge club Wednesday night before heading to Oakleaf this weekend.
