The 2019 high school softball season is underway starting today for area teams, here is a rundown of every district and what to expect from each team this season.
Last year was a monumental year for the area with Oakleaf, Trinity, West Nassau, Keystone Heights and Clay all making the Final Four last season.
What’s in store for 2019 ? How many area teams will end up in Vero Beach and how many will hoist the state championship trophy ? These are questions area fans want to know and eagerly await the answer to.
District 1-9A
Teams: Flagler Palm Coast, Mandarin, Sandalwood
Top Players : Mandarin – Hallie Kern (Sr., C), Ashley Wiebenga (Jr., P), Emily Hedrick (So., P), Jessica Urrutia (Sr., SS), Soraya Hernandez (Jr., OF), Serena Hernandez (Sr., OF), Brianna Arsenault (Jr., 3B), Kaylee Beauford (Sr., OF); Sandalwood – Sydni Newsome, Cailey Ruffin, Jodasea Peterson (P), Lauren Fisher, Autumn McCoy (So.); Palm Coast – Teagan Clayton (Jr., INF), Katie Thomas (So., INF), Julianna Burns (Sr., INF/OF), Ja’kya Wiggins (Sr., CF/INF), Leah Scott (Jr., P/OF) , Jasmin Myer (Sr., OF/INF), Breonna Walker (Sr., OF/INF), Ella Ferri (So., P)
Outlook: Mandarin has won four consecutive district titles in a row (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and is heavily favored to make it a five peat. Head coach Natalia Gonzalez has built the Mustangs into not only an area power but a consistent playoff contender. The Mustangs (20-7) are coming off a first round home playoff loss to Orange City University and are looking to go even further this season with the return of several key starters including Kern (.379, 28 RBI, 9 DB, 2 TP, 1 HR), Urrutia (.330, 16 RBI, 10 DB, 1 HR), Serena Hernandez (.265, 13 RBI, 4 DB, 1 HR), Soroya Hernandez (.377, 16 RBI, 5 DB, 2 TP), Arsenault (.392, 18 RBI, 3 DB, 2 HR), Wiebenga (.308, 14 RBI) and Beauford (.364, 9 RBI, 2 DB, 1 HR). The one two pitching combination of Wiebenga (15-7, 2.06 ERA, 114 K, 41 W) and Hedrick (5-0, 1.78 ERA, 29 K, 11 W) are both back and look to dominate again. Sandalwood (13-13) was the district runner-up and lost to Spruce Creek in the first round last year. The Saints will be led by the return of Newsome (.483, 12 RBI, 7 DB, 3 TP, 1 HR), Ruffin (.397, 20 RBI, 5 DB, 1 TP), Peterson (.382, 7 RBI, 2 DB), Fisher (.370, 4 RBI, 2 DB) and McCoy (.200, 6 RBI, 1 HR). Peterson (3-0, 1.89 ERA) is back on the mound for the Saints and appears to be the ace of the staff once again. Palm Coast (3-19) had a huge rebuilding year after starting several underclassmen and looks to compete with Sandalwood for the runner-up spot. Bigger things are expected from the Bulldogs after a tough year of growing up and taking their lumps last season. A year later a more mature team is back and looks to make some noise with the return of several starters or contributors including Clayton (.375, 12 RBI, 3 DB, 1 TP), Thomas (.231, 11 RBI, 1 DB, 1 TP), Burns (.205, 8 RBI, 2 DB), Walker (.200, 7 RBI, 2 DB), Wiggins (.233, 6 RBI) and Myer (.244, 6 RBI, 3 DB). The one concern for the Bulldogs is the pitching staff which averaged a 7.94 ERA and surrendered 125 walks and only 50 strikeouts.
District 2-8A
Teams: Atlantic Coast, First Coast, Fleming Island, Fletcher, Lee, Oakleaf
Top Players: Atlantic Coast – Erin Moon (So.), Maya Harris (Jr.), Shurrell Jefferson (So.), Sophie Abrams (Jr., P), Kennedy Searcy (Jr.) ; Fleming Island – Anna Hull (So., C), Morgan Kendrick (So., P); Oakleaf – Cambria Arturo (Sr., P), Madi Davis (Sr., P), Baylee Goddard (Sr., 3B), Kaylee Lambrecht (Jr., SS), Aspen Windesheim (Jr., UT ), Jaycie Brookshire (Jr., 1B), Katie Kistler (Jr., OF), Caitlynne Lamug (Sr. UT), Jazmine Lamug (Sr., UT), Jaeda McFarland (Jr., OF); First Coast – Brooke Rice (So.), Jasmine Miller (Jr.), Shelby Duggan (Sr.), Paris Ragland (Sr., P), Teagan Stafford (So., P)
Outlook: Gone are some heavy hitters but there is still plenty of weapons returning to lead Oakleaf (30-3) back to Vero Beach again and compete for another state title. Among those returning are Lambrecht (.350, 26 RBI, 11 DB, 2 TP, 2 HR), Kistler (.431, 17 RBU, 13 DB, 1 HR), Goddard (.333, 18 RBI, 14 DB, 1 HR), Windesheim (.358, 15 RBI, 3 DB), Brookshire (.283, 6 RBI, 4 DB, 1 HR), Caitlin Lamug (.250, 6 RBI, 3 DB) and Jazmine Lamug (.333, 8 RBI, 1 DB). Another one to keep an eye on is McFarland, an Louisiana Tech commit. There may not be another better 1-2 pitching combination than that of Davis (17-1, 1.11 ERA, 112 K, 29 W) and Arturo (9-1, 0.91 ERA, 88 K, 20 W), Davis signed with UCF and Arturo has signed with JU. The combination of the best pitching staff plus a lethal batting order will be tough for any opponent to overcome. If there is a team who poses the greatest threat to knocking off Oakleaf its likely Atlantic Coast. The Stingrays (11-14) were the district runner-up last season and return several key starters including Searcy (.520, 6 RBI, 4 DB, 1 TP, 2 HR), Moon (.356, 17 RBI, 2 DB, 1 TP), Harris (.246, 21 RBI, 2 DB, 1 TP) and Jefferson (.278, 12 RBI, 3 DB). Abrams (4-1, 3.45 ERA, 58 K, 33 W) and McMullen (1-0, 5.57 ERA, 21 K, 14 W) are both back to lead the Stingrays on the mound. Fleming Island (13-7) nearly pulled off the upset over Oakleaf before the Knights executed two squeeze bunts to come from behind and eliminate the Eagles in the district semifinals. Unfortunately, most of that team is gone and the Eagles will rely heavily on several underclassmen this year. However, with both Kendrick (.361, 11 RBI, 5 DB, 2 HR) and Hull (.271, 8 RBI, 6 DB) back the Eagles shouldn’t be counted out just yet. Kendrick (9-7, 1.65 ERA, 168 K, 55 W), an FSU commit, handcuffed a potent Oakleaf lineup last year in that classic game and is capable of shutting down any opponents offense. Fletcher (13-7) was the two seed going into the district semifinals but was upset by Atlantic Coast ending the Senators season. The Senators can’t be counted out either and will definitely be a team to look out for. The once area power First Coast Bucs have fallen to mediocre status as the Bucs (10-13) have struggled to maintain what they once were. That’s not to say these Bucs aren’t any good at all, the Bucs were quite young last year and could be another sleeper team to keep an eye on.
District 3-7A
Teams: Columbia, Gainesville, Middleburg, Vanguard
Top Players: Gainesville – Alissa Humphrey (Jr., P/1B), Brianna Boggs (So., C), Ayanna Woodard (So., SS), Ashton Palmer (Sr., OF), Summer Parmer (So., P); Columbia – Dara Gaylard (Sr., 1B/3B), Story Giebeig (Sr., 3B/C), Whitney Lee (Jr., 3B/P), Lucy Giebeig (Jr., CF/2B), Morgan Hoyle (Jr., OF/SS), Lauren Hutcherson (Sr., 2B/CF), Caroline Lewis (Jr., OF), Chris’Deona Beasley (Sr., P/SS)
Outlook: It was quite a battle for the top seed in this district between Columbia 21-5) and Gainesville (22-6) as the two split both regular season meetings and met a third time in the title game. Expect the same this year as well as both teams are loaded again and should be among the several top teams in the area this season as well. The Purple Hurricanes, who road their momentum all the way to the Elite 8 before falling in the third round of the playoffs, are loaded again with the return of Boggs (.315, 17 RBI, 6 DB), Humphrey (.429, 18 RBI, 7 DB, 1 HR), Woodard (.271, 10 RBI, 2 DB, 1 TP), Karas (.311, 6 RBI, 2 DB, 1 TP) and Palmer (.220, 9 RBI, 1 TP). A huge reason for the Hurricanes magical run was the play of dynamic sophomore Humphrey (20-6, 1.01 ERA, 343 K, 41 W), who dominated on the mound taking control of games with her solid mix of lethal pitches. With a potent lineup and an ace on the mound, the Hurricanes are still co favorites to claim the title again. Columbia might have something to say about that though as the Tigers are loaded as well with Gaylard (.303, 32 RBI, 9 DB, 1 TP, 6 HR), Story Giebeig (.462, 30 RBI, 14 DB, 1 TP, 2 HR), Whitney Lee (.392, 22 RBI, 9 DB, 1 HR), Lucy Giebeig (.318, 19 RBI, 7 DB, 1 TP, 1 HR), Hoyle (.412, 18 RBI, 10 DB), Hutcherson (.362, 13 RBI, 7 DB), Lewis (.288, 12 RBI, 3 DB) and Beasley (.268, 10 RBI, 4 DB). The Tigers have a solid one-two combo on the mound led by Lee (6-0, 2.89 ERA) and ace Beasley (14-4, 1.38 ERA, 106 K, 41 W). After years of struggling, Middleburg (8-15) is hoping a coaching change can bring some new life to the program with the hiring of Ashely Houston. Houston played on a Final Four team at Trinity Christian back in 2002 and later coached a pair of area powers including Baker County and Trinity to the playoffs consistently. This maybe her biggest coaching job so far taking over a program that hasn’t had a lot of success in a while, while also being in a district with state powers Gainesville and Columbia.
District 4-7A
Teams: Bartram Trail, Creekside, Englewood, Nease, St. Augustine
Top Players: Bartram Trail – Olivia Creamer (Sr., 2B), Anna Cowling (Sr., LF), Maegan O’brien (Jr., CF), Emma Morris (Sr., DP), Nicole Mansako (Sr., P), Haley Provencal (So,. C); Creekside – Jenae Wash (Sr., 2B), Hannah Barnard, Allison Bratek, Lauren Beavis, Maddison Bratek, Mallorie Sikes (P); Nease – Erin McCloskey (Sr., RF), Mary Thompson (Sr., UT), Carey Carpenter (Sr., LF), Grace Kim (Jr., CF), Lindsay Cici (Sr., C), Marlee Dillinger (So., P), Tara McCaffery (Jr., SS)
Outlook: Some of its heavy hitters have moved on but there are still plenty of weapons at Bartram Trail (25-3) and for coach Jen Harman including Creamer (.413, 37 RBI, 11 DB), Cowling (.400), O’brien (.645) and Provencal (.342). Mansako (11-0, 1.11 ERA) is back as the ace of the staff and will give fits to opposing offenses. Creekside (13-8) entered the district semifinals as the second seed before getting knocked off by Nease preventing the Knights from making the playoffs. The Knights are poised for another break out season with the return of several key players including Barnard (.327), Allison Bratek (.322, 6 doubles), Beavis (.311, 6 triples), Maddison Bratek (.308) and Michigan State commit Wash (.418, 3 triples). Sikes (10-5, 2.02 ERA, 100 K) is the ace of the staff and is back and ready to lead the Knights into the postseason. Nease (12-10) pulled the stunner in the semifinals before bowing out of the playoffs in the first round to Gainesville; the Panthers led by Thompson (.317) and Kim (.306) won’t be able to sneak up on anybody this season.
District 3-6A
Teams: Ed White, Parker, Paxon, Stanton, Westside, Wolfson
Top Players: Paxon – Madison Canady (Jr., INF), Christine Tomlinson (So., P), Simone Footman (Sr., 1B), Jayda Hutchinson (Sr., 2B), Emily Smith (Sr, C.), Ashley Connor (So., P), Alyssa Wynn (Sr., OF)
Outlook: Paxon (14-12) sailed through the district undefeated at a perfect 12-0 last season to claim the top seed. The Eagles will be heavily favorites to repeat as district champions with the return of Canady (.409, 26 RBI, 4 DB), Footman (.349, 17 RBI, 1 DB, 1 TP, 2 HR), Tomlinson (.455, 23 RBI, 7 DB, 4 TP, 1 HR), Hutchinson (.413, 14 RBI, 5 DB, 2 TP), Smith (.351, 16 RBI, 1 DB), Connor (.303, 9 RBI, 4 DB, 1 HR) and Wynn (.367, 10 RBI, 3 DB). Both Connor (2.46 ERA, 94 K, 33 W) and Tomlinson (6-0, 1.35 ERA, 33 K, 2 W), return on the mound for the Eagles and look to lead the Eagles to another district title and playoff berth. Ed White (6-14) was the district runner-up and appears to be the biggest threat for the Eagles in the district unless Stanton or Parker turn things around and make it a four team race again.
District 4-6A
Teams: Clay, Menendez, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra, Ridgeview
Top Players: Clay – Marianna McDonald (Sr., INF), Kailah McKeen (Jr., INF), Paola Jorge-Silva (So., OF), Sydney Lewis (Sr., INF), Morgan Crutcher (Jr.,P); Ridgeview – Brittany Michael (So., P), Brooke Michael (So., C), Hannah Foster (Sr., INF), Raven Little (Jr., 1B), Alyssa Adams (Jr., SS), Sarah Anderson (Jr.), Ashlyn Halford (So, INF/OF), Chloe Chambers (Jr., OF); Ponte Vedra – Michelle Leone (Sr., SS), Scotland David (Jr., CF), Michelle Holder (Sr.), Bailey Wagoner (Sr.), Madison Lucchino (Sr.); Menendez – Mandy Taylor (So., P), Alyssa Repult (Jr., INF), Jordan Alcorn (So., UTILY), Alexa Gatlin (Sr., C), Diana Roffman (Sr., INF), Bryana Cook (Sr., OF)
Outlook: Clay (18-13) got hot at the right time and it carried all the way to a trip to the Final Four before the Blue Devils fell to Land O’Lakes in the semifinals. Some of the pieces to that surprising run to Vero Beach are back including: McDonald (.373, 13 RBI, 8 DB, 1 TP), Lewis (.241, 18 RBI), McKean (.275, 11 RBI, 2 DB,1 HR) and Silva (.328, 11 RBI, 1 TP). Also back is Crutcher (13-10, 1.35 ERA, 141 K, 29 W) who showed can be dominant on the hill late in the season. If there is one team who can definitely give Clay a run for the district tile its Ridgeview (16-7), who won the district tournament and grabbed home field advantage in the playoffs before bowing out to Clay in the Elite 8. The Panthers picked up a new coach in the offseason and will be lead by former Clay baseball player Clay Thompson, who is also the brother of Oakleaf head coach Christine Thompson and assistant coach Robbie Thompson. Thompson wasn’t left empty handed though with the return of numerous starters or contributors including Foster (.390, 16 RBI, 5 DB, 4 TP), Little (.306, 6 RBI, 2 DB, 1 HR), Adams (19 RBI, 4 DB, 1 TP, 2 HR), Anderson (.296, 8 RBI, 2 DB), Halford (.279, 6 RBI, 2 DB) and Chambers (.380, 7 RBI, 2 DB, 1 TP, 1 HR). Also back are the 1-2 battery of sisters Brittany Michael (12-5, 1.23 ERA, 133 K, 26 K) and Brooke Michael (.246, 4 RBI, 1 DB, 1 TP). Clay and Ridgeview met four times last season with Clay winning three of the four matchups, however, Clay won the most meaningful matchup in the postseason to extend its season and advance to the Final Four. Expect the same thing to likely happen again between the two as the two will likely meet up again in the district tournament and playoffs. Ponte Vedra stunned Clay in one of its final regular season district games and can’t be taken lightly despite its struggles last season. The Sharks are led by Penn State commit Leone (.317, 15 RBI, 4 DB) and Oklahoma State commit David (.464, 8 RBI, 7 DB, 2 TP, 1 HR). Menendez (11-9) had a nice run last season thanks to the unbelievable performance by its freshman phenom Taylor (230 K). If the Falcons can get an offensive as productive and consistent as its pitching it could be a sleeper to keep an eye on.
District 3-5A
Teams: Baker County, Bolles, Suwannee
Top Players: Baker County – Kiki Carter (Sr.), Caitlin Harvin, Sara Keves, Kat Rhoden (Sr., 3B), Taylor Crews (So., P), Liz McGovern (P); Bolles – Grace Hudson (Jr.), Emily Rohan (Fr.), Chloe Coffindaffer (Sr.), Annabella McClerren (Fr.), Caroline Clements (Sr., P); Suwannee – Maci Brown (Jr., 1B), Carson Frier (So., SS/C), Kaiya Hurst (So., 2B), MacKenzie Taylor (Jr., P)
Outlook: Baker County (17-9) lost in the second round to West Nassau extending its area leading playoff streak to 11 consecutive years. The Wildcats are led by Carter (.211, 11 RBI, 5 DB, 1 TP, 1 HR), Harvin (.231, 10 RBI), Keves (.203, 7 RBI, 2 DB), Indian River State College signee Kat Rhoden (.303, 18 RBI, 6 DB) and Crews (6-1, 1.811 ERA, 34 K, 11 W). Suwannee (12-14) was the runner-up and the biggest threat to overtake Baker County as the top seed. The Bulldogs lost some key components to its lineup but do return playmakers Brown, Frier, Hurst and ace pitcher Taylor. Bolles (8-16) is still quite young relying on several freshman in its lineup it might take the Bulldogs a while to compete with both Baker County and Suwannee.
District 4-5A
Teams: Bishop Kenny, Fernandina Beach, Raines, Ribault, West Nassau, Yulee
Top Players: West Nassau – Madison Dixon (Jr., 1B), Hope Epps (So, 2B.), Bailey Studt (So., OF), Courtney Hengerer (Jr., OF), Bre Hickox (Jr., C), Mykhala Moore (So., OF), Regan Lee (So., P), Thi Stone (So., C); Fernandina Beach – Shelbea Holland (Sr.), Daylee Puca (Sr.), Jordyn Foley (Sr.), Grace Adkins (So., P), Morgan Graham (Jr.); Raines – Ka’rena Burke (Sr., 3B), Kaylan Menchem (Jr., OF)
Outlook: Behind a potent lineup and the arm of Skylar Whitty, West Nassau (23-7) rode all the way to Vero Beach last season before falling in the state championship again. While Whitty is now starting at FAU, the Warriors will rely on Lee who saw significant duty last season despite being a freshman. Lee was one of several freshman who saw significant playing time last season for coach Randalyn Rogers Bryant, as she called them her babies at times, although they didn’t play like freshman. Among those back are the dangerous Dixon (.295, 31 RBI, 5 DB, 1 TP, 5 HR), Epps (.420, 20 RBI, 4 DB, 1 HR), Studt (.250, 15 RBI, 2 DB, 1 TP), Hengerer (.203, 12 RBI, 2 DB), Hickox (.257, 14 RBI, 4 DB, 1 HR) and Moore (.311, 15 RBI, 1 DB, 1 TP). Expect another solid year and playoff run to Vero Beach again for the more Mature and Veteran Warriors with the mix of hitting and pitching carrying them again. Yulee (10-10) was the district runner-up last season and again appears to be the biggest threat to ending the Warriors district run; while both Fernandina Beach (14-11) and Raines (12-8) also made great strides last season.
District 5-5A
Teams: Bradford, Fort White, Keystone Heights, Newberry, Palatka, P.K. Yonge, Santa Fe
Top Players: Keystone Heights – Savannah Channell (Sr., INF), Cami Worley (Sr., 1B/3B), Daelynn Eatmon (So., P), Madison Heskett (Jr., UTILITY), Emma Rogel (Fr., UT); Bradford – Brooklyn Wiggins (Jr., SS), Emily McCoy (Jr., 1B/P), Maggie Olive (So., P), Krista Hildebran (Jr., 3B/OF); Fort White – Aubrey Callum (Sr., OF/INF), Jennifer Allen (Jr., UTILITY); Sante Fe – Riley Schynder (Jr., INF), Hailey Raulerson (Sr., P/INF/OF), Courtney Robinson (Sr., INF), Annalynn Burnham (Sr., 1B), Jordan Bevington (Sr, OF), Jaye Carter (Sr., C)
Outlook: A veteran Keystone Heights (20-11) team helped carry the Indians all the way to the Final Four before being taken out by West Nassau. Gone is 8 seniors off that team making this years team extremely young and under leadership of the few remaining players off that team, but don’t county out head coach Jessica Marquart and her program out just yet. Channell (.306, 19 RBI, 3 HR) and Worley (.260, 19 RBI, 3 DB, 3 HR) are both back to lead the offense, while Eatman (5-3, 1.79 ERA) is back to take over the pitching staff. Santa Fe (20-9) may be the early favorite in the district with numerous starters back, the Raiders dropped a pair of close one run games to the Indians last season. Bradford (8-14) and Fort White (11-11) are one of many teams including Palatka (7-18) who are looking behind both Keystone and Santa Fe and trying to get back and into the playoff mix once again.
District 2-4A
Teams: Baldwin, Bishop Snyder, Episcopal, Interlachen, Providence, Trinity
Top Players: Providence – Ella Roberson (Fr., 3B), Avery Adcock (Fr., CF), Emma Gupton (Sr., DP), Kayla Burmeiser (Fr., LF), Grace Wilson (8th, 2B), Jenea Bell (So., SS), Kyla Jackson (Sr., C); Trinity – Breezy Burnett (Fr., OF), Alexis Ross (Sr., OF), Amaya Ross (So., SS), Bailey Cooley (So., P), Mackenzie Marell (So., C/OF)
Outlook: No doubt Trinity Christian has established itself as the team to beat every year in the district as the Conquerors (18-11) not only won the district but went all the way to the Final Four. The Conquerors are led by cousins FIU commit Alexis Ross (.395, 18 RBI) and FSU commit Amaya Ross (.400, 20 RBI, 5 triples), Burnett (.317) and Virginia Tech commit Marell (.494, 27 RBI, 14 doubles, 4 HR). Cooley (12-7, 2.97 ERA, 87 K) is back to lead the Conquerors on the mound and back to Vero Beach again. Providence (18-3) was stunned in the district semifinals by Episcopal preventing the second seeded Stallions from advancing to the state playoffs. The Stallions are even more determined to not let that happen again this season with the return of numerous starters like 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 (12-8) which surprised everyone by claiming the district runner-up spot last year wont be able to sneak up on anyone this season.
District 2-3A
Teams: St. Francis, St. Johns, St. Joseph, University Christian
Top Players: St. Johns Country Day – Brianna Enter (Sr., P), Maddie Wilkes (Sr., P/SS), Linsey Arnett (Sr., C), Natalia Burnsed (Fr., INF), Lindsey Sabo (Jr., OF), Jordan Sabo (Jr., OF); U.C. – Nyah Morgan (Sr., INF), Sophia Kardatzke (7th, P/INF), Jaleigha Harris (7th, INF)
Outlook: St. Johns coach Deric Enter has done an incredible job with the St. Johns softball program and has made the Spartans a consistent playoff contender now winning numerous district tiles. The Spartans were ranked as high as No. 2 last year in the state in their classification and look to keep that mojo going again. 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) and Burnsed (.472, 27 RBI). 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 seventh graders Kardatzke (6-1, 2.46 ERA, .407) and Harris (.500) along with Morgan (.455, 16 RBI).
District 2-2A
Teams: Calvary, Christ’s Church, Eagles View, First Coast Christian, Parsons Christian, Peniel Baptist, Seacoast
Top Players: Christ’s Church – Celia Hollis (8th, INF), Jadelyn Sarver (8th, UT), Aubrey Nill (Fr., INF), Daci Sarver (7th, INF), Emily Oliver (Fr., INF/OF), Peyton Gonzalez (7th, P), Madison Schnepel (Sr., CF); Eagles View – Cameron Hill (Sr.), Cassadie Thompkins (Sr.), Vanessa Aponte (So.), Gabby Owenby (Jr.), Cassidy Stevens (Jr.); Peniel Baptist – Paige Bryan (So., P), Summer Langston (Fr.), Lexi White (So.), Kristen Flateau (Sr.), Alexis Wallace (8th)
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 spent most of the season in the top ten of the Miracle Sports Softball Poll with No. 4 Christs Church, No. 5 Eagle’s View and No. 9 Peniel. As good as all three were, only two however moved on to the playoffs, Eagles View and Peniel. Who will be the two that move on is as good any anybody guess this season? Christ’s Church is only in its third 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 that lead 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 Sarver (.625, 23 RBI, 3 HR, 3 triples), Nill (.571), Sarver (.550), Oliver (.529), Gonzalez ( .529) and Schnepel (.429). Eagles View was 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), Aponte (.417), Owenby (.356, 17 RBI) 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) and Romay (.325, 17 RBI).
District 6-1A
Teams: Crescent City, Hawthorne, Hilliard, Union County, Williston
Top Players: Union County – Kamaya Cohen (Jr.), Kensley Hamilton (Sr.), Tiffany Clark (Jr., C); Hilliard – Tristan Edwards (Sr.), Brooke Geiger (Jr., P), Brealyn Holley (Sr.), Harley Guynn (Fr., P)
Outlook: Things were not easy at all for the 2017 Class 1A state champions as the Tigers 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, rallied around it, moving people around into different positions and still managed to clinch the top seed in the tourney. Cohen (.417, 22 RBI, 3 triples, 3 doubles), Hamilton (.552, 23 RBI, 2 doubles, 2 triples) and Clark (.488, 13 RBI, 3 doubles) were some of the several players stepping up last year. One thing we found out last season is if there is one team who could unseat them its No. 2 seed Hilliard. Hilliard (12-12) came out of nowhere and saw its magical run to the Elite 8 end in a home loss to Madison County. Only a few players moved on from the program leaving plenty of talent returning for another solid run at Vero Beach. Among those back are Edwards (.408, 25 RBI, 5 DB, 1 TP, 4 HR), Geiger (.292, 11 RBI, 4 DB, 1 TP, 5 HR) and Holley (.328, 11 RBI, 3 DB). Guynn (1-1, 3.59 ERA) and Geiger (10-11, 3.16 ERA, 74 K, 17 W) are back on the mound for the Flashes as well.
Key Tournaments
March 1-2
8th Annual Battle at the Beach Softball Slam at Spruce Creek
Teams: Bishop Kenny, Cocoa, Deland, Deltona, East Bay, Hagerty, Lincoln Park Academy, Melbourne, Providence, Sebastian River, Space Coast, Spruce Creek, Viera, Yulee
March 1 (1, 3, 5, 7)
March 2 (9, 11, 1, 3)
March 1-2
Raiders Invitational at Santa Fe
Teams: Bell, Buchholz, Columbia, Lafayette, Northeast, Santa Fe, Suwannee, Williston
March 1
4-Northeast vs Bell
6-Northeast vs Columbia
6-Lafayette vs Buchholz
8-Buchholz vs Bell
March 2
9-Northeast vs Suwannee
11-Santa Fe vs Buchholz
March 21-23
Tournament of Champions at Oakleaf
Teams: Clay, Gainesville, Hardee, Keystone Heights, Oakleaf, Trinity Christian, West Nassau
March 29-30
Doc4Life at Belleview
Teams: Belleview, Bolles, Countryside, Creekside, George Jenkins, Hernando, Interlachen, Keys Gate, Labelle, Ocala Forest, Ponte Vedra, Riverdale, Trinity Catholic, Villages, Wakulla, Westminster Christian, Wewahitchka, Yulee
March 29
2-Bolles vs Trinity Catholic, Yulee vs George Jenkins, Ponte Vedra vs Hernando
4-Bolles vs Ponte Vedra, Interlachen vs Countryside, Creekside vs Keys Gate
6-Yulee vs Hernando, Interlachen vs Labelle
8-Creekside vs Labelle
March 30
10-Bolles vs Riverdale, Creekside vs Westminster, Forest vs Interlachen
12-Bolles vs Hernando, Ponte Vedra vs Wakulla
2-Creekside vs George Jenkins, Ponte Vedra vs Labelle, Yulee vs Interlachen
4-Yulee vs Villages
April 4-6
Kissimmee Klassic
Teams: Gainesville, Keystone Heights, Oakleaf, West Nassau
April 15-19
Gateway Conference Tournament
Teams: Atlantic Coast, Baldwin, Ed White, Englewood, First Coast, Fletcher, Jackson, Lee, Mandarin, Paxon, Raines, Ribault, Sandalwood, Stanton, Terry Parker, Westside, Wolfson
April 15-19
St. Johns River Athletic Conference Tournament
Teams: Bartram Trail, Fleming Island, Matanzas, Menendez, Middleburg, Nease, Orange Park, Palatka, St. Augustine
Fab Five
1 Oakeaf (30-3)
2 Columbia (21-5)
3 Mandarin (22-7)
4 Trinity (18-11)
5 Bartram Trail (25-3)
Honorable Mention: Baker County (17-9), Clay (18-13), Creekside (13-8), Keystone Heights (20-11), Providence (18-3), Ridgeview (16-7), West Nassau (23-7)
