Since the first day of conditioning and the last out of last season, the goal for every local softball team is to get to Vero Beach and compete for a state title.
That goal continues this week as local teams take their first step to getting to Vero Beach competing in their respective district tournaments. Only the top two teams from each district tourney advance to the state playoffs next week.
Here is a run down and preview of all 13 district tournaments at Sandalwood, Oakleaf, Gainesville, Bartram Trail, Terry Parker, Pedro Menendez, Baker County, West Nassau, Keystone Heights, Episcopal, University Christian, Peniel and Union County.
Records and statistics are courtesy of MaxPreps, what appeared in the Times Union or the schools themselves. Columbia’s photo was courtesy of the Lake City reporter and photographer Brent Kuykendall.
District 1-9A
1. Mandarin (4-0)
2. Sandalwood (2-2)
3. Palm Coast (0-4)
At Sandalwood
April 24
Game 1: #2 Sandalwood (9-10) vs #3 Palm Coast (3-17), 6
April 26
Game 2: #1 Mandarin (18-6) vs TBA, 6
Key Players: Mandarin-Morgan Gersten (Sr., OF), Hallie Kern (Jr., C), Brianna Arsenault (So., 3B), Sara Stolp (Sr., 2B), Jessica Urratia (Jr., SS), Soraya Hernandez (Jr., C/OF), Megan Cusack (Sr., 1B), Serena Hernandez (Jr., OF) Ashley Wiebenga (So., P), Emily Hedrick (Fr., P); Sandalwood-Cailey Ruffin, Sydni Newsome, Jodasea Peterson (P), Morgan Aldrich, Autumn McCoy (Fr)., Destiny Asaro, Lani Curtis, Lauren Fisher; Palm Coast – Teagan Clayton (So., INF), Katie Thomas (Fr., INF, ) Julianna Burns (Jr., INF), Breonna Walker (Jr., OF/INF), Jasmin Myer (Jr., OF/INF), Leah Scott (So., P)
Outlook: Being the top seed in a three team district already guarantees Mandarin a spot in the the playoffs but the Mustangs want to secure home field advantage by winning the title. It’s Mandarin’s title to take again as the Mustangs cruised through the district easily and a schedule which will likely feature as many as 11 potential playoff teams has them well prepared for this tourney and a solid playoff run. Gersten (.512, 28 RBI, 7 doubles, 2 HR), Kern (.384, 25 RBI, 8 doubles, 2 triples), Arsenault (.388, 17 RBI, 3 doubles) and Stolp (.427, 17 RBI, 4 doubles, 3 HR), Urratia (.325, 16 RBI, 9 doubles), Soraya Hernandez (.338, 15 RBI, 5 doubles, 2 triples), Serena Hernandez (.243, 13 RBI) and Cusack (.328, 14 RBI) lead the Mustangs in hitting. The one-two combination of Wiebenga (14-6, 2.14 ERA, 102 K, 38 walks) and Hedrick (4-0, 1.32 ERA) has been pretty lethal for the Mustangs and should be plenty of enough for them to move on here. The Saints swept Palm Coast 11-1 and 15-0 and should be heavy favorites to move on to the championship game, where they face Mandarin, who swept them 4-0 and 8-2 earlier. Peterson leads them on the mound (4-1, 2.04 ERA) and at the plate (.434) along with Ruffin (.423, 18 RBI), Newsome (.407, 8 doubles, 14 of 15 stolen bases), Curtis (.378) and Fisher (.362). Palm Coast is extremely young with just two seniors, many of their starters are underclassmen as the Bulldogs are preparing for the future and who knows could spring an upset.
Prediction: Mandarin, Sandawood
District 2-8A
1. Oakleaf (5-0)
2. Fletcher (4-1)
3. Atlantic Coast (3-2)
4. Fleming Island (2-3)
5. First Coast (1-4)
6. Lee (0-5)
At Oakleaf
April 23
Game 1: #4 Fleming Island (12-6) vs #5 First Coast (10-12), 5
Game 2: #3 Atlantic Coast (11-12) vs #6 Lee (3-11), 7
April 24
Game 3: #2 Fletcher (12-7) vs 3/6 winner, 5
Game 4: #1 Oakleaf (23-2) vs 4/5 winner, 7
April 26
Game 5: Title game, 7
Key players: Oakleaf -Lauren Wexler (Sr., OF), Rebecca Koskey (Sr., UT), Madison Mifsud (Sr., C), Katie Kistler (So., OF), Destiny Pacetti (Sr., OF), Jaycie Brookshire (So., 1B), Madi Davis (Jr., P), Cambria Arturo (Jr., P), Kaylee Lambrecht (So., SS), Baylee Goddard (Jr., 3B), Angela Agurkis (Sr., C), Aspen Windesheim (So., UT); Fletcher – Amanda Beane, Summer Distefano, Jocelenn Walls, Jennifer Poston, MaKaila Maness, Taryn Freshwater, Dallas Watterson; Fleming Island – Tiara Peters (Sr.), Mady Lanoux (Sr.), Morgan Grimm (Sr.), Morgan Kendrick (Fr., P), Sammy Dill (Sr., P); First Coast – Brooke Rice (Fr.) Jasmine Miller (So.), Deiana Thomas (Sr.); Atlantic Coast – Erin Moon (Fr.), Maya Harris (So.), Shurrell Jefferson (Fr.), Kennedy Searcy (So.), Sophie Abrams (So., P)
Outlook: Try to find a weakness on the Oakleaf Knights and you can’t, the Knights have phenomenal pitching with Davis (13-1, 1.34 ERA, 86 K and Arturo (6-1, 0.97 ERA), a potent 1-9 lineup with Koskey (.448, 27 RBI, 4 HR) , Windesheim (.387), Kistler (.385), Mifsud (.339), Pacetti (.358), Lambrecht (.352, 21 RBI), Goddard (.359, 15 RBI) and Agurkis (.370) and play solid defense as well. They have also had their share of close wins and losses and have played one of the toughest schedules in the state. That’s a recipe for another long playoff run as the Knights, ranked No. 1 in Class 8A, begin their quest for their second straight state title. If there are any teams capable of pulling an upset it will likely come from either Fletcher or Fleming Island. The Senators are led by Beane (.455, 6 triples), Distefano (.348), Walls (.348), Poston (.346, 13-6, 1.73 ERA, 121 K), Maness (.343), Freshwater (.328) and Watterson (.302, 15 RBI); and have played a schedule that features six likely playoff teams. While the Eagles are led by Peters (.393, 24 RBI, 2 HR), Lanoux (.471, 13 RBI, 3 HR) and Grimm (.296, 12 RBI) offensively and Kendrick (8-5, 1.78 ERA 151 K, 32 W) and Dill (4-0, 0.80 ERA, 13 K, 4 W) on the mound. Atlantic Coast has a lot of momentum after surprisingly winning the Gateway Conference softball tournament the previous week including run away win over Mandarin in the title game; while First Coast is very young and maybe a year or two away from seriously competing for a playoff bid.
Prediction: Oakleaf, Atlantic Coast
District 3-7A
1. Gainesville (5-1)
2. Columbia (5-1)
3. Middleburg (2-4)
4. Vanguard (0-6)
At Gainesville
April 24
Game 1: #2 Columbia (20-3) vs #3 Middleburg (8-14), 5
Game 2: #1 Gainesville (18-5) vs #4 Vanguard (5-14), 7
April 26
Game 3: Title game, 7
Key Players: Columbia – Story Giebieg (Jr., INF), Dara Gaylard (Jr., INF), Whitney Lee (So., P/INF), Lucy Giebieg (So., INF/OF), Lauren Hutcherson (Jr., INF/OF), SK Lewis (Sr., INF/OF), Chris’Deona Beasley (Jr., P/INF); Gainesville – Alissa Humphrey (So., P/1B), Brianna Boggs (Fr., C), Olivia Hanson (Sr., 2B), Maggie Willis (Sr., OF), Hallie Karas (Sr., 3B)
Outlook: If there is one team you don’t want to face right now it’s Columbia, who enters the tourney with 11 consecutive wins. Since a devastating 6-4 loss at home to Gainesville in 8 innings back on March 8, the Tigers, ranked No. 6 in Class 7A, haven’t loss with wins over playoff bound teams including Gainesville 1-0, Trenton 5-1, West Nassau 5-2 in 10 innings, Trenton 3-1, Baker County 5-3 and Aucilla Christian 12-1. A huge part of that reason is a .356 team batting average led by Story Gieibieg (.486, 25 RBI, 12 doubles), Gaylard (.319, 29 RBI, 9 doubles, 5 HR), Lee (.406, 22 RBI, 8 doubles), Lucy Giebieg (.328, 19 RBI, 6 doubles), Hutcherson (.375, 13 RBI, 6 doubles) and Lewis (.343, 14 RBI, 6 doubles). A team ERA of 1.81 is due to the play of both Beasley (13-2, 1.21 ERA, 95 K, 35 W) and Lee (6-0, 2.95 ERA, 21 K, 3 W), a dynamic 1-2 combo on the mound. Gainesville, ranked No. 7 in Class 7A, won the coin toss and the right to host the district tournament this week after both teams ended up tied for the overall top seed. Thanks to the unbelievable run by the Tigers, the Hurricanes have suddenly become kind of forgotten about. The Hurricanes have played a ridiculous schedule as well with 14 games against likely playoff teams including a 1-0 loss to No. 1 Oakleaf on the road. Gainesville went 3-1 at the prestigious Kissimmee Klassic losing to eventual tourney runner-up Bartow in the semi-finals. The Hurricanes are led by Humphrey (.467, 15 RBI, 6 doubles), Boggs (.315, 15 RBI, 5 doubles), Hanson (.351, 15 RBI, 3 doubles, 5 triples, 2 HR), Willis (.351, 10 RBI, 4 doubles) and Karas (.319, 17 RBI, 5 doubles, 3 HR) offensively and Humphrey (16-5, 0.90 ERA, 279 K, 27 W) on the mound. One thing is for sure, providing neither team gets upset in the semi’s, the third meeting between Gainesville and Columbia is setting up to be a classic nail bitter again. If there is a sleeper in the tourney to keep an eye on its Middleburg, which has got hot as of late, including a 9-3 win over Bartram Trail.
Prediction: Columbia, Gainesville
District 4-7A
1. Bartram Trail (4-0)
2. Creekside (3-1)
3. Nease (2-2)
4. St. Augustine (1-3)
5. Englewood (0-4)
At Bartram Trail
April 23
Game 1: #4 St. Augustine (8-10) vs #5 Englewood (7-12), 6
April 24
Game 2: #2 Creekide (13-9) vs #3 Nease (12-8), 5
Game 3: #1 Bartram Trail (22-2) vs 4/5 winner, 7
April 26
Game 4: Title game, 7
Key Players: Bartram Trail-Reedy Davenport (Sr., SS), Savannah Parker (Sr., 1B), Olivia Creamer (Jr., 2B), Anna Cowling (Jr., LF), Maegan O’brien (So., CF), Emma Morris (Fr., DP), Nicole Mansako (Jr., P), Hannah Dugan (Sr., P), Haley Provencal (Fr., C); Creekside– Jenae Wash, Jessie McCullough, Hannah Barnard, Ally Brateck, Lauren Beavis, Maddie Brateck, Mallorie Sikes; Nease-Bailey Pattison, Mary Thompson, Grace Kim
Outlook: Longtime coach Jen Harman put together a demanding schedule to get her team ready for the postseason including games against Oakleaf, Providence, Fleming Island and Mandarin. They responded quite well as the lone two losses on the schedule were a surprising one to Providence and a stunning loss to Middleburg, since that last loss the Bears, ranked No. 5 in Class 7A, have won eight in a row and seem poised for a possible long playoff run. The six highest batting average in the area with a .393 is led by play makers Davenport (.514, 26 RBI, 12 doubles, 3 HR), Parker (.481, 27 RBI, 8 doubles), Creamer (.413, 37 RBI, 11 doubles), Cowling (.400), O’brien (.645), Morris (.419) and Provencal (.342). The combination of Davenport, Parker and Creamer have terrorized opposing pitchers nightly and that should continue at districts and in the playoffs. The 1-2 combination of Mansako (11-0, 53 K, 1.11 ERA) and Dugan (7-2, 32 K, 2.02 ERA) gives them an edge on the mound as well and plenty of arms to make a serious playoff run. The one team that could give the Bears a challenge for the title is Creekside, who despite its record has played quite well down the stretch and will contend for the runner-up berth. Wash (.418, 3 triples), McCullough (.404), Barnard (.327), Brateck (.322, 6 doubles), Beavis (.311, 6 triples), Brateck (.308) lead the offense, while Sikes (10-5, 2.02 ERA, 100 K) is the ace of the staff on the hill. Looking for a sleeper keep an eye on Nease who is led by Pattison (.327), Thompson (.317) and Kim (.306) on offense and Pattison (9-7, 0.79 ERA, 106 K) on the mound.
Prediction: Bartram Trail, Creekside
District 3-6A
1. Paxon (10-0)
2. White (8-2)
3. Parker (5-5)
4. Stanton (5-5)
5. Westside (2-8)
6. Wolfson (0-10)
At Parker
April 23
Game 1: No. 4 Stanton (12-9) vs No. 5 Westside (4-11), 4:30
Game 2: No. 3 Parker (7-15) vs No. 6 Wolfson (0-18), 6:30
April 24
Game 3: No. 2 White (8-11) vs TBA, 4:30
Game 4: No. 1 Paxon (12-11) vs TBA, 6:30
April 26
Game 5: Title game, 6:30
Key Players: Paxon-Kayanna Perez (Sr., SS), Christine Tomlinson (Fr., P), Jayda Hutchinson (Jr., 2B), Madison Canady (So., INF), Alyssa Wynn (Jr., OF), Emily Smith (Jr., C), Simone Footman (Jr., 1B), Taelyn Hall (Jr., OF), Ashley Connor (Fr., P); White-Victoria Dailey, Kylee Mathis, Amara Hilbert, Libby Frazier, Bre Brady
Outlook: It’s been quite a roller coaster of a season for Paxon. The good news is they went undefeated in districts and earned the top seed and easiest road into playoffs; yet the bad news is they enter districts having lost 5 of their last 6 games. It should still be enough for the Eagles to clinch its second straight playoff berth led by Perez (.645, 10 doubles), Tomlinson (.434, 3 triples), Hutchinson (.400), Canady (.389, 22 RBI), Wynn (.380), Smith (.378), Footman (.359, 17 RBI), Hall (.353) and Connor (.345). Tomlinson (5-0, 1.75 ERA) and Connor (6-9, 2.55 ERA) are the kings of the hill for the Eagles. Dailey (.419), Mathis (.400), Hilbert (.378), Frazier (.375), Brady (.368) lead the Commanders, who are the No. 2 seed and the overwhelming favorites to earn the runner-up spot.
Prediction: Paxon, White
District 4-6A
1. Clay (7-1)
2. Ridgeview (6-2)
3. Ponte Vedra (4-4)
4. Menendez (3-5)
5. Orange Park (0-8)
At Menendez
April 23
Game 1: #4 Menendez (11-8) vs #5 Orange Park (2-17), 6:30
April 24
Game 2: #2 Ridgeview (13-6) vs #3 Ponte Vedra (8-16), 5
Game 3: #1 Clay (14-11) vs Game 1 winner, 7
April 25
Game 4: Title game, 6
Key Players: Clay-Sydney Lewis (1B), Kaitlyn Kumpf (C), Marianne McDonald (SS), Kailah McKean, Hailey Stone (3B), Charlotee Denapoli (CF), Morgan Crutcher (P); Ridgeview-Hannah Foster (Jr.), Alyssa Adams (So.), Sarah Anderson (So.), Raven Little (So.), Brittney Michael (Fr., P), Chloe Chambers (So.); Ponte Vedra– Kiley Hennessey (Sr., 2B), Quinland Richmond (Sr., LF), Michelle Leone (Jr., SS), Scotland David (So., CF)
Outlook: Not sure what to make of this Clay team, but one thing is for sure they are battle tested as longtime coach Matt Lewis had his team play a brutal schedule especially down the stretch ending with Oakleaf, Keystone and Bartram Trail. Using small ball and solid defense, the Devils were able to come on late and sweep Ridgeview twice in the final month to claim the top seed. If the Devils are going to make a serious playoff run it will come from contributions from Lewis (.246,16 RBI), Denapoli (.296, 8 RBI, 3 doubles), Kumpf (.385, 12 RBI, 5 doubles, 2 HR), McDonald (.390, 12 RBI, 7 doubles), McKean (.286, 11 RBI, 2 doubles) and Stone (.216, 8 RBI, 2 doubles) as well as both Crutcher (9-8, 1.72 ERA, 110 K, 23 W) and Denapoli (5-3, 2.62 ERA, 24 K, 11 W) on the mound. One possible obstacle for the Devils hoisting the trophy is rival Ridgeview, whose only district losses were to Clay, including a 2-1 8 inning loss in the last meeting. Head coach Roger Harvey tragically suffered a heart attack weeks before the season started and the coaching staff and the kids rallied around the loss and finished second in the district and put themselves in great position for a playoff berth. They might be young but the Panthers can play led by Foster (.426, 16 RBI, 5 doubles, 4 triples), Chambers (.406, 7 RBI, 2 doubles), Anderson (.317, 8 RBI, 2 doubles), Adams (.196, 16 RBI, 4 doubles) and Little (.281, 6 RBI, 2 doubles) offensively and Michael (11-4, 1.26 ERA, 111 K, 19 W) on the mound. Despite having an apparent rebuilding year, Ponte Vedra still can’t be counted out as a sleeper with D-I players seniors Hennessey (UCF) and Richmond (UCF) along with Leone (Penn State) and David (Oklahoma State). Host Menendez could also be a sleeper as well as the Falcons will have home field advantage and gave both Ridgeview and Clay scares in the regular season.
Prediction: Clay, Ridgeview
District 3-5A
1. Baker County (3-1)
2. Suwannee (3-1)
3. Bolles (0-4)
At Baker County
April 24
Game 1: #2 Suwannee (10-12) vs #3 Bolles (8-15), 7
April 26
Game 2: #1 Baker County (15-8) vs TBA, 7
Key Players: Baker County-Emma Gipson, Kat Rhoden, Taylor Crews, Liz McGovern; Suwannee-Maci Brown (So.), Savannah Brown, Skylar Redish (Sr.), Carson Frier (Fr.), Bolles-Grace Ann-Hudson (So.), Hannah Lee (Sr.), Bailey Ann Bracken (Sr.)
Outlook: Technically Baker County won the coin toss and the top seed but clearly the Wildcats are the best team in the district and expected to make a long playoff run. Head coach Frank Griffis put together a tough schedule and the Wildcats are well prepared for the playoffs because of it, two of the many impressive wins were road trip to Orlando knocking off both Montverde and Apopka. Gipson (.464, 30 RBI, 7 doubles, 6 HR) and Rhoden (.258, 14 RBI) lead the Wildcats bats, while Crews (5-1, 2.02 ERA) and McGovern (8-5, 2.20 ERA) are the leaders on the hill. The biggest threat for the Wildcats to not win the district tourney is Suwannee, which features Redish (.373, 24 RBI, 5 doubles, 6 HR), Maci Brown (.357, 24 RBI, 3 doubles, 3 HR), Savannah Brown (.352, 17 RBI, 4 doubles, 5 HR) and Frier (.293, 10 RBI, 4 doubles, 2 triples). The long shot to take either playoff berth is Bolles, which is led by Hudson (.483 3 doubles), Lee (.456, 3 doubles, 4 triples) and Bracken (.415, 5 doubles).
Prediction: Baker County, Suwannee
District 4-5A
West Nassau (5-0)
Bishop Kenny (4-1)
Yulee (3-2)
Raines (2-3)
Fernandina Beach (1-4)
Ribault (0-5)
At West Nassau
April 23
Game 1: #4 Raines (12-7) vs #5 Fernandina Beach (13-10), 5
Game 2: #3 Yulee (10-9) vs #6 Ribault (0-7), 7
April 24
Game 3: #2 BK (9-11) vs 3/6 winner, 5
Game 4: #1 West Nassau (18-6) vs 4/5 winner, 7
April 26
Game 5: Title game, 7
Key Players: West Nassau– Sylar Whitty (Sr., P), Emily Dixon (Sr., OF), Madison Dixon (So., 1B), Hope Epps (Fr., 2B), Regan Lee (Fr., P), Mykhala Moore (Fr., OF); Bishop Kenny- Lauren Stevens, Caroline DePirro, Olivia Reidy; Yulee- Casey Erb, Kaylee Bradberry, Sydney Hayworth, Linzie LaFavor, Caleigh Balestra, Zoe McKendree, Christa Pritchard (P), Faith Nevin (P); Raines- Amaya White (Sr., P), Kenya Jones (Sr., C), Donesha Sololomon (Sr., INF), Ka’rena Burke (Fr., 3B), Kaylan Menchem (So., OF); Fernandina Beach- Shelbea Holland (Jr.), Kylie Tate (Sr.), Adriane Clemens (Sr.), Daylee Puca (Jr.), Jordyn Foley (Jr.), Grace Adkins (Fr., P), Morgan Graham (So.), Maya Hernandez (Sr.)
Outlook: A brutal schedule with games against Oakleaf, Columbia, Trinity Christian, Baker County, West Orange, Aucilla Christian and Coral Springs Charter has the Warriors well prepared for a lengthy playoff run, which begins this week hosting the district tourney. Head coach Randalyn Rogers Bryant likes to refer to her team as her ‘babies’ since the majority of them are freshman, but after 23 games they aren’t freshman anymore. The Warriors, ranked No. 9 in Class 5A, are loaded led by Emily Dixon (.506, 7 HR), Epps (.378), Whitty (.344, 19 RBI, 4 HR), Moore (.327) and Madison Dixon (.300, 23 RBI, 3 HR). Sisters Emily and Madison Dixon are both in the top ten in home runs and lethal in the batters box. Whitty (16-5, 1.06 ERA) a Florida Atlantic signee, is that rare two-way player, who can dominate at the plate and on the mound as she leads the area in strikeouts with 144 and does a good job of mixing up her pitches to throw off batters easily. Bishop Kenny knocked off Yulee in a late season game to take the two seed and is led by Stevens (.358), DePirro (.352, 15 RBI) and Reidy (.309). Speaking of Yulee, the Hornets are loaded led by Holland (.618, 28 RBI, 3 HR), Tate (.473, 32 RBI 7 doubles), Clemens (.471), Puca (.370), Foley (.353), Adkins (.352, 15 RBI), Graham (.316) and Hernandez (.316). The one-two combination of Adkins (5-2, 4.53 ERA) and Holland (7-8, 1.80 ERA, 102 K, 50 W) gives the Hornets a solid chance to take the runner-up berth. The surprise team of the district is Raines, which features White (.655, 6 doubles), Jones (.615, 19 RBI, 7 doubles, 7 HR), Solomon (.533), Burke (.488), Menchem (.324) offensively and also White (7-3, 0.26 ERA, 95 K, 46 W) on the mound. Fernandina Beach has struggled but shouldn’t be ignored thanks to Erb (.443), Bradberry (.419, 16 RBI, 3 HR), Hayworth (.347), LaFavor (.338, 24 RBI, 12 doubles, 3 HR, 3 triples), Balestra (.333), McKendree (.300), Pritchard (8-3, 2.22 ERA) and Nevin (9-4, 2.96 ERA).
Prediction: West Nassau, Yulee
District 5-5A
Keystone (12-0)
Santa Fe (9-3)
Fort White (7-5)
Bradford (6-6)
Newberry (4-8)
Palatka (3-9)
PK Yonge (1-11)
At Keystone
April 23
Game 1: No. 4 Bradford (8-13) vs No. 5 Newberry (12-13), 4
Game 2: No. 3 Fort White (11-10) vs No. 6 Palatka (5-17), 6
Game 3: No. 2 Santa Fe (16-8) vs No. 7 PK Yonge (2-15), 8
April 24
Game 4: Game 2 winner vs Game 3 winner, 5
Game 5: No. 1 Keystone (16-9) vs 4/5 winner, 7
April 26
Game 6: Title game, 7
Key Players: Keystone Heights-Bailey Story (Sr., C/OF), Molly Crawford (Sr., SS/OF), Savannah Channell (Jr., INF), Skylar Rollins (Sr., 2B), Ashleigh Jennings (Sr., OF/INF), Lexi Northway (Sr., UT), Cami Worley (Jr., 1B/3B), Makayla Smith, Megan Moncrief (Sr., P/OF), Daelynn Eatmon (Fr., P); Santa Fe – Bailey Ledvina (Sr., INF), Riley Schynder (So., INF), Hailey Raulerson (Jr.,P/INF/OF), Courtney Robinson (Jr., INF), Annalynn Burnham (Jr., 1B), Jordan Bevington (Jr., OF), Jaye Carter (Jr., C); Fort White- Aubrey Callum (Jr. OF/INF), Jennifer Allen (So., UT), Savana Terry (Sr., INF), Shaylen Raulerson (Sr., INF), Jaime Tolkkinen (Sr., OF)
Outlook: Head coach Jessica Marquart loaded up her schedule with the likes of Gainesville, Oakleaf, Union County, Trenton and also the Kissimmee Klassic tourney (Bartow, Lakewood Ranch, Land O’Lakes, South Fork) to help her Keystone Height team get ready for the postseason. The Indians, ranked No. 10 in Class 5A, breezed through the district unscathed and earned the top seed and automatic trip to the semifinals. Hosting the district tourney is a huge advantage for the Indians, who are led by Story (.667, 34 RBI, 9 doubles, 6 triples), Northway (.597, 8 RBI, 2 doubles), Jennings (.545, 14 RBI), Crawford (.433, 34 RBI, 13 doubles), Channell (.306, 19 RBI, 3 HR), Rollins (.456, 16 RBI), Smith (.378, 7 RBI) and Worley (.244, 16 RBI) on offense. The one-two combination of Moncrief (10-4, 2.77 ERA) and Eatmon (5-3, 1.79 ERA) has been very consistent and provides a huge spark on the mound for the Indians. Santa Fe is the best threat to dethrone the Indians in the title game, losing a 1-0 decision in its last meeting. The Raiders are led by Ledvina (.446, 26 RBI, 6 doubles, 2 HR), Schynder (.368, 19 RBI, 4 doubles), Raulerson (.329, 15 RBI, 8 doubles), Robinson (.293, 14 RBI), Burnham (.333, 11 RBI), Bevington (.386, 10 RBI) and Carter (.338, 10 RBI, 4 doubles). One way to beat the Raiders is to put pressure on their defense as the Raiders are fielding .906 and have committed 62 errors on the season. The combination of Raulerson (9-3, 0.44 ERA 50 K, 13 W) and junior Sarah McQuatters (5-3, 3.17 ERA 19 K, 9 W) gives the Raiders a solid chance to possibly spring the upset over the Indians. Fort White is a potential sleeper team to keep an eye on, however a couple of late injuries to both Shelby Dubose and Raven Miles recently may hamper that. According to Lake City reporter Jordan Kroeger, Dubose (11-7, 2.67 ERA, 84 K, 29 W) broke her ring finger recently and is out for the rest of the year as is Miles. Miles was the top hitter for the Indians leading them hitting with a .507 average, 36 RBI and 15 doubles and 6 home runs, while second in doubles with three. Dubose (.438, 10 RBI, 11 doubles) was also a threat at the plate as well and will be missed. With both of those gone, the Indians will have to rely on Callum (.358, 20 RBI 5 doubles), Tolkkinen (.344, 12 RBI, 5 doubles, 2 triples), Terry (.293, 16 RBI, 9 doubles), Allen (.455, 13 RBI, 7 doubles, 2 triples) and Raulerson (.274, 9 RBI, 5 doubles, 4 triples).
Prediction: Keystone, Santa Fe
District 2-4A
Trinity (5-0)
Providence (4-1)
Episcopal (2-3)
Baldwin (2-3)
Interlachen (2-3)
Bishop Snyder (0-5)
At Episcopal
April 23
Game 1: #3 Episcopal (10-6) vs #6 Bishop Snyder (2-12), 5
Game 2: #4 Baldwin (11-12) vs #5 Interlachen (14-9), 7
April 24
Game 3: #1 Trinity (14-10) vs 4/5 winner, 5
Game 4: #2 Providence (18-2) vs 3/6 winner, 7
April 26
Game 5: Title game, 7
Key Players: Trinity Christian- Breezy Burnett (8th, OF), Alexis Ross (Jr., OF), Amaya Ross (Fr., SS), Bailey Cooley (Jr., P), Desiray Connell (Sr., 1B), Mackenzie Marell (Fr., C/OF), Kendall Johnson (Sr., 2B); Providence- Kallie Jones (Sr., P), Ella Roberson (8th, 3B), Avery Adcock (8th CF), Emma Gupton (Jr., DP), Kayla Burmeister (8th, LF), Grace Wilson (7th, 2B), Jenea Bell (Fr., SS), Kyla Jackson (Jr., C); Episcopal- Maddie Latta, Kami Eppley, Carlie Dickson; Baldwin- Mackenzie Williams (Sr., OF), Kirsty Granville (Sr. UT), Kristen Sterling (Sr., CF), Brenna Swanson (Sr., OF), Autumn Patrick (Sr., INF)
Outlook: With two of the top team in Class 4A sitting in the poll with Providence (No. 1 in 4A) and Trinity (No. 8), this tourney is shaping up to be a huge tourney. Both teams are extremely young but feature a solid lineup as well as great pitching. Don’t let the record fool you as the Conquerors played an enormous schedule to get them ready for the postseason. The Conquerors are led by cousins Alexis Ross (.395, 18 RBI) FIU commit and Amaya Ross (.400, 20 RBI, 5 triples) a FSU commit, Burnett (.317), Johnson (.321, 16 RBI), Connell (.421, 22 RBI, 3 HR, 6 doubles) an FIU commit and Marell (.494, 27 RBI, 14 doubles, 4 HR) a Virginia Tech commit, offensively and Cooley (12-7, 2.97 ERA, 87 K) on the mound. Providence might be the youngest team in the field but they don’t play like it at all. The Stallions are stacked and led by Jones a lethal two-way player signed with FIU, who is hitting .387, 23 RBI, 5 doubles and two home runs offensively and is 18-2 with a 0.94 ERA with 146 strikeouts and 16 walks on the mound. Behind her is a young but potent lineup featuring Roberson (.381, 28 RBI, 6 HR), Adcock (.435, 20 RBI, 8 of 9 stolen bases), Gupton (.327, 15 RBI, 9 of 10 stolen bases), Jackson (.400, 6 RBI, 13 of 14 stolen bases), Burmeister (.324, 10 RBI, 6 doubles, 10 of 10 stolen bases), Wilson (.333, 10 RBI, 5 doubles) and Bell (.367, 13 RBI, 5 doubles). Episcopal and Baldwin could be sleepers in this tourney but not likely along with Interlachen.
Prediction: Providence, Trinity
District 2-3A
St. Johns (8-0)
U.C. (4-2)
Oak Hall (4-4)
St. Joseph (2-4)
St. Francis (0-7)
At University Christian
April 23
Game 1: #4 St. Joseph (2-8) vs #5 St. Francis (0-16), 4:30
April 24
Game 2: #1 St. Johns Country Day (13-3) vs 4/5 winner, 5
Game 3: #2 University Christian (8-4) vs #3 Oak Hall (4-8) , 7
April 26
Game 4: Title game, 6
Key Players: St. Johns- Brianna Enter (Jr., P), Maddie Wilkes (Jr., P/SS), Linsey Arnett (Jr., C), Natalia Burnsed (8th, INF), Bhealor Young (Sr., INF); U.C.- Nyah Morgan (Jr. INF), Sophia Kardatzke (6th, P/INF), Jaleigha Harris (6th, INF)
Outlook: St. Johns coach Deric Enter has done an incredible job with the St. Johns softball program and has the Spartans on the verge of winning the district title again and home field advantage in the playoffs. First things first though the Spartans ranked No. 2 in Class 3A can’t look ahead to far and must take care of business at districts. While the tourney field isn’t that great, Enter knows he will face a tough challenge from University Christian in the title game, despite sweeping them in the regular season. The Spartans are led by his daughter Brianna Enter a two-way standout who excels at the plate (.550, 21 RBI, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR) and on the mound with a 8-1 record and 62 strikeouts and an area leading 0.70 ERA. They also get key contributions from Wilkes (.615, 4 HR), Arnett (.529), Burnsed (.472, 27 RBI) and Young (.343, 22 RBI, 3 triples). University Christian, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A, is the one team who can derail the Spartans hopes of a district title despite being extremely young led by six graders Kardatzke (6-1, 2.46 ERA, .407) and Harris (.500) along with Morgan (.455, 16 RBI).
Prediction: St. Johns, U.C.
District 2-2A
Eagles View (6-1)
Peniel (6-1)
Christs Church (6-1)
Parsons (3-3)
Harvest (1-2)
First Coast (1-4)
Seacoast (1-6)
Calvary (0-5)
At Peniel
April 23
Game 1: No. 4 Parsons (7-6) vs No. 5 First Coast (3-9), 12
Game 2: No. 3 Eagle’s View (14-6) vs No. 6 Harvest, (2-5) 2:15
Game 3: No. 2 Christs Church (14-1) vs No. 7 Seacoast (3-14), 4:30
Game 4: No. 1 Peniel (18-3) vs No. 8 Calvary (2-8) 6:45
April 24
Game 5: Winner of Game 2 vs Winner of Game 3, 4:30
Game 6: Winner of Game 1 vs Winner of Game 4, 6:45
April 26
Game 7: Title game, 7
Key Players: Christs Church- Celia Hollis (7th, INF), Emma Surber (Sr., SS), Jadelyn Sarver (7th, UT), Aubrey Nill (8th, INF), Daci Sarver (6th, INF), Emily Oliver (8th, INF/OF), Peyton Gonzalez (6th, P), Madison Schnepel (Jr., CF), Katie Cook (Sr., INF/OF); Eagles View- Cameron Hill (Jr.), Cassadie Thompkins (Jr.), Kasey Hoffman (Sr.), Breanna Baker (Sr.), Sydney Hunt (Sr.), Vanessa Aponte (Fr.), Gabby Owenby (So.), Grace Huntley (Sr.), Cassidy Stevens (So.); Peniel– Paige Bryan, (Fr., P), Summer Langston (8th), Lexi White (Fr.), Kristen Flateau (Jr.), Alexis Wallace (7th), Rylee Romay
Outlook: How competitive is this district, Peniel, Christs Church and Eagle’s View all finished in a three-way tie, several tiebreakers were used to break the tie and Peniel was named the top seed ahead of Christ’s Church and Eagle’s View. The three are in the top ten of the most recent Miracle Sports Softball Poll with No. 4 Christs Church, No. 5 Eagle’s View and No. 9 Peniel. As good as all three are, only two however will move on to the playoffs. Who will be the two that move on is as good any anybody guess ? Christ’s Church is only in its second year back as a varsity program, head coach Jason Aschenbrenner and his staff have done an amazing job rebuilding the program. The Eagles are extremely young, but a very talented team leading North Florida in hitting with a .546 batting average. Part of that reason is a lineup featuring Hollis, who leads the area with a .692 average and 38 RBI; as well as Surber (.636, 32 RBI, 4 HR), Sarver (.625, 23 RBI, 3 HR, 3 triples), Nill (.571), Sarver (.550), Oliver (.529), Gonzalez ( .529), Schnepel (.429) and Cook (16 RBI). Eagles View is second in the area in hitting with a .462 average and is led by Hill (.667, 29 RBI) 7 doubles, Thompkins (.656 7 doubles, 7-2, 1.79 ERA), Hoffman (.623, 3 triples), Baker (.513), Hunt (.512, 17 RBI), Aponte (.417), Owenby (.356, 17 RBI), Huntley (.355) and Stevens (15 RBI). Peniel is led by Bryan (.553, 19 RBI, 6 triples, 14-2, 1.72 ERA, 134 K), Langston (.500, 20 RBI), White (.410), Flateau (.385 16 RBI), Wallace (.333) and Romay (.325, 17 RBI).
Prediction: Christs Church, Peniel
District 6-1A
Union County (7-1)
Hilliard (5-2)
Williston (4-4)
Crescent City (1-5)
Hawthorne (0-6)
At Union County
April 23
Game 1: #4 Crescent City (4-12) vs #5 Hawthorne (1-8), 6:30
April 24
Game 2: #2 Hilliard (9-10) vs #3 Williston (9-12), 5
Game 3: #1 Union County (13-4) vs 4/5 winner, 7
April 26
Game 4: Title game, 7
Key Players: Union County-Kamaya Cohen (So.), Kensley Hamilton (Jr.), Brooke Waters (Sr.), Teala Howard (Sr., 3B), Tiffany Clark (So., C), Lexi Androlevich (Sr., P); Hilliard-Tristan Edwards, Brooke Geiger; Williston-Miranda Geiger (So.SS/P), Madison Reynolds (So., P), Raegan Geiger (7th, 1B/P), Tiara Brown (So., UT), Taylor Gettman (Jr., C/1B)
Outlook: Things haven’t been easy at all for the defending Class 1A state champions as the Tigers have lost three players for the season due to broken bones, including pitcher Brooke Waters (.311, 19 RBI, 5 doubles, 2 HR). Yet despite the devastating injuries, the Tigers, ranked No. 4 in Class 1A, seemed to have rallied around it, moving people around into different positions and still managed to clinch the top seed in the tourney. Androlevich, who signed with Jacksonville State and Howard (.579, 16 RBI, 7 doubles, 3 triples), who signed with West Florida, are two of the leaders on the team and have stepped up for the Tigers along with Cohen (.417, 22 RBI, 3 triples, 3 doubles), Hamilton (.552, 23 RBI, 2 doubles, 2 triples) and Clark (.488, 13 RBI, 3 doubles). If there is one team who could unseat them its No. 2 seed Hilliard, which will need huge performances from Edwards (.406, 23 RBI, 5 doubles, 4 HR) and Geiger (.268, 9 RBI, 4 doubles, 3 HR) at the plate as well as Geiger (9-10, 3.09 ERA, 65 K, 16 W) on the mound. Don’t count out Williston either who despite being extremely young is capable of stealing a playoff berth led by Gettman (.527, 26 RBI, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR), Reynolds (.524, 24 RBI, 7 doubles, 5 triples, 3 HR), Miranda Geiger (.385, 20 RBI, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR), Brown (.356, 19 RBI) and Raegan Geiger (.321, 18 RBI). Reynolds (6-2, 4.89 ERA) is the ace of the pitching staff and is helped with both Geiger’s in relief.
Prediction: Union County, Hilliard
