Before the extended spring break, several softball teams in Northeast Florida were amongst the best in the State of Florida. Many players and teams started the year hot with signature wins and moments, while other teams propelled themselves off of last year’s successes. We would’v’e been deep into the softball season by now so it’s fun to speculate who would’ve been the best team in Northeast Florida? Before COVID-19 paused the season there were several candidates. Middleburg, Mandarin, Creekside, Episcopal and others. Check out some of the top teams from the area below, their rankings, and tell us who the best team is in the comments section of the story and on social media.
Oakleaf (7-1) Christina Thompson had her team off to a very hot start this year in hopes of returning to a fifth straight Final 4. This year it looks like they might take it all the way with their start. Jaeda McFarland led the team with a .478 batting average and 11 hits starting off. Jaycie Brookshire lead the team with 9 RBIs while she and Kayle Lambrecht both are tied with 2 home runs. Madie McDaniel was 6-1 in starts as they got big wins over Atlantic Coast and Clay having lots of fun in doing so!
Ridgeview (8-1)– Oakleaf’s only loss was to rival Ridgeview as skipper Robert Thompson had his team rolling. Slugger Brooke Michael leads the team with a .419 batting average, 13 hits and 2 home runs. Alyssa Adams leads the team with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs. Brittany Michael was 6-1 for Panthers as they look to resume where they left off.
Atlantic Coast (4-1) Alyssa Grupp (.667), Erin Moon (.600) and Kennedy Searcy (.667) have red hot bats to start the season for the Stingrays. Moon and Grupp lead the team with 9 RBIs each while Shurrell Jeferson leads the team with 2 home runs. AC had a lot to prove from last year, after they felt robbed from the Gateway Conference Tourny and the Regional Quarterfinals. It certainly looked like they started the season off with that on their mind and more as they look to capture a championship.
Bartram Trail (7-1) The Lady Bears were absolutely devouring opponents to start the season. 12-0 over Bolles, 15-0 over BK, 11-1 over Nease. Their only loss to Episcopal somewhat tainted an otherwise great start to the 2020 season. Faith Sandiford led the team with a .529 batting average with 9 hits and a home run. Madisyn Eads on the mound was off to a 7-1 start with 75 strikeouts. They looked to avenge a first round playoff loss to Middleburg from a year ago.
Trinity (4-3) JR Borden’s team went 20-6 last year all the way to a Class 4A state championship in softball. They dominated all year with talented players who played together all season. In 2020, a target is clearly on their backs as the team to beat. MacKenzie Marell is tops on the team with a .524 battign average 10 RBIs and 2 home runs. Carolyn Lasater is also a leader on the team with a .455 batting average, 10 hits, 10 RBIs, and 4-3 as a starter a pitcher (22K).
| 1 | Oakleaf (Orange Park) | W-L 7-1 | Rat 21.0 | Str 10.4 |
| 2 | Ridgeview (Orange Park) | 8-1 | 18.9 | 7.8 |
| 3 | Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) | 4-1 | 16.7 | 9.2 |
| 4 | Bartram Trail (St. Johns) | 7-1 | 16.6 | 4.2 |
| 5 | Episcopal School of Jacksonville | 7-2 | 14.2 | 5.8 |
| 6 | Palatka | 9-2 | 13.4 | 2.5 |
| 7 | Clay (Green Cove Springs) | 6-4 | 11.7 | 8.7 |
| 8 | Keystone Heights | 6-3 | 11.5 | 6.6 |
| 9 | Columbia (Lake City) | 9-3 | 10.5 | 2.0 |
| 10 | Mandarin (Jacksonville) | 4-2 | 10.4 | 4.8 |
| 11 | Creekside (St. Johns) | 5-3 | 10.2 | 6.3 |
| 12 | Baldwin | 4-2 | 9.9 | 4.7 |
| 13 | Trinity Christian Academy | 3-3 | 9.2 | 8.9 |
| 14 | Middleburg | 6-6 | 8.6 | 9.4 |
| 15 | Providence School | 4-3 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| 16 | Bishop Kenny | 6-2 | 6.3 | -2.9 |
| 17 | Sandalwood | 2-1 | 5.8 | -0.5 |
| 18 | Nease (Ponte Vedra) | 4-5 | 5.1 | 9.0 |
| 19 | ED White | 3-2 | 4.9 | 3.0 |
| 20 | Westside | 4-1 | 4.9 | -5.7 |
| 21 | Fletcher | 2-3 | 4.3 | 9.2 |
| 22 | Ponte Vedra | 3-4 | 3.9 | 6.8 |
| 23 | Old Plank Christian Academy | 4-1 | 3.9 | -4.5 |
| 24 | Menendez (St. Augustine) | 3-3 | 3.4 | 4.5 |
| 25 | First Coast (Jacksonville) | 3-2 | 3.3 | -1.6 |
Honorable Mention:
| 26 | University Christian (Jacksonville) | 5-5 | 3.0 | 2.7 |
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Who is the best softball team in Northeast Florida so far?
