18 Bay County softball and baseball players to watch this postseason
As the baseball softball regular season winds down and we head into district tournaments there are players in the area who have been consistent performers and are going to be key factors in the playoffs.
Below is a list of 18 players to keep an eye on this postseason:
Softball
Bre Clark, Arnold
The "standard" in the circle, Clark has elevated her game to another level, pitching 151 innings and totaling 273 strikeouts. Clark's play will determine truly how far the Marlins can go in the postseason.
Kaylee Goodpaster, North Bay Haven
The county leader in home runs (10) will be relied on as she powers a Buccaneers team which averages nine runs per game.
Emilee Reynolds, Bay
Capable of getting over the back wall, Reynolds leads the team with two home runs and can be a game-changer in the postseason.
Chrystal Ruthven, Bay
In the circle and at the plate Ruthven can control the game in both facets. The senior has 28 hits, 14 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
Addison Mallon, North Bay Haven
Mallon has been consistent all year with a 14-4 record in the circle and posts a 1.84 ERA.
Gracie Lewis, Mosley
Lewis has pitched in 43 innings this season, totaling 35 strikeouts and will be looked at to carry the pitching load into the playoffs.
Jayden Reyes, Arnold
Reyes has caught fire at the plate as of late with home runs in three straight games, totaling six on the year. The junior will be a key in powering the Marlins offense.
Kaycee McLellan, Arnold
Behind Reyes with three home runs on the year, McLellan always finds her way on base. The senior has 38 hits, 28 runs and 22 RBIs on the season.
Addison John, Bozeman
Leading the Bucks in batting, John will have to be at her best to spark Bozeman's offense. The sophomore has a .441 batting average, 30 hits and 11 RBIs on the year.
Hayley Deegins, Bozeman
Slowly getting back into her rhythm, Deegins will be relied on to throw Bozeman into a deep playoff run.
Baseball
Cooper Moss, Arnold
Moss has been consistent from the mound boasting a 5-1 record. In 47 innings, Moss has thrown 67 strikeouts and allowed only six runs.
Jordan Martinez, Mosley
Martinez has been the rock for a Dolphins team that can rely on him in every facet of the game. Martinez has a .409 batting average, 27 hits, 11 RBIs and four home runs.
Trey Power, Bozeman
Power is 8-0 on the mound and has thrown 89 strikeouts. The senior's performance in the opening game of a series will set the tone for the Bucks throughout the postseason.
Zac Flitcraft, Bozeman
Flitcraft will need to make his presence known with his baserunning after leading the team with 20 stolen bases this season. This season the sophomore also contributes on the mound with an 8-1 record.
Eli Blair, Arnold
The 6-foot-7 pitcher is 7-1 on the mound with 87 strikeouts on the year.
Evan Wallace, North Bay Haven
Wallace leads the Buccaneers with a .377 batting average 26 hits and 13 RBIs.
Brooks Skipper, Bozeman
Skipper leads the team with 35 hits 30 RBIs and three home runs.
Jacob Pascoe, Bay
Pascoe has thrown 31 strikeouts and is 4-0 on the mound.
District Tournaments Schedule
Softball
April 29
#7 Pensacola at #2 Arnold
#5 Bozeman at #4 Blountstown (winner faces #1 Liberty County)
#5 Rutherford at #4 Bay (winner faces #1 North Bay Haven April 30)
April 30
#3 Mosley at #2 Crestview
Baseball
April 29
#5 Pensacola at #4 Bay (winner faces #1 Arnold April 30)
#6 Rutherford at #3 Walton
#7 North Bay Haven at #2 Marianna (faces the winner of Rutherford vs Walton)
April 30
#3 Leon at #2 Mosley
#1 Bozeman vs (winner of #4 Vernon vs #5 Wewhatitchka)
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: 18 bay county softball and baseball players to watch in the playoffs
