GHS advances to FHSAA Class 5A Final; Trenton, Branford one step away from titanic 1A clash

Gainesville High School softball coach Chris Chronister has said at multiple points this season that a certain level of luck is required to win.

In the Lady ‘Canes biggest game of the season Thursday, that mantra rung true.

The Hurricanes capitalized on four Archbishop McCarthy errors to score five runs in the third and fourth innings to defeat the Mavericks 5-2 and advance to the Class 5A State Championship.

First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. from Legends Way in Clermont. The ‘Canes will be joined locally by Trenton and Branford, both of which advanced to the Class 1A semifinals.

Here’s what you need to know:

GHS, Bourdage shake off first inning struggles

The ‘Canes entered Clermont off multiple upsets in regionals, but unfortunately, that momentum didn’t carry over through the first inning.

In the top half of the frame, GHS stranded two runners on base. In the bottom, ace Leanna Bourdage committed an uncharacteristic error which scored two Maverick runs.

Gainesville trailed 2-0 and had already allowed its most runs since April 30.

The freshman pitcher, though, remained composed.

“I felt confident she was going to respond favorably the rest of the game,” Chronister said. “She has that championship mindset where, even if things go wrong, she’s going to buckle down and do her best to get the team in the right position.”

In the third, the Hurricanes orchestrated a two out rally of their own. Bourdage scored on an error by Arch. M’s centerfielder, and Rianna Williams drove in a run on a single.

The next inning, an error by the Mavericks second baseman gave GHS the lead. The ‘Canes scored two more.

“We want to focus on playing our game, but if the other team is going to help you out and give you extra outs in an inning, then you have to take advantage of that,” Chronister said.

The Lady Cane lead felt secure as a tight screw because of Bourdage’s performance. She got better as the game went on. In the last five innings, she allowed just three baserunners. In total, she ended with 14 Ks.

Chronister said the first yearer needed some time to adjust to the new field, but once she did, she was money.

“It took her a few more pitches that we normally like, but she was able to settle down in the first inning, and we were able to get out of that with only giving up two runs,” Chronister said.

Who’s next?

GHS will look for its first state title in eight years when it faces Parrish Community Friday. The Bulls are the No. 1 seed in 5A and defending state champions.

PCHS lost key pieces from last season, but they replaced them with freshman hitter Alysa Jones and pitcher Rylee Little.

They’ve won 10 in a row and defeated Horizon 6-1 in the earlier semifinal.

Chronister knows the Bulls are a force to be reckoned with due to their power, but he believes the ‘Canes are tough to beat when they play a clean game.

“I like our chances against any team out here,” Chronister said.

Trenton hopes to avoid slipup

Before GHS takes the field, Class 1A’s top two teams will look to set up a titanic showdown.

First up will be Trenton. The Tigers, ranked first in the class and 12^th in the state, rolled through the regional postseason.

They run ruled Newberry 11-0 and snuck past a pesky Williston squad to win Region 4.

Like GHS, this season has marked a return to form for THS. The 2021 state champions lost in the first round of regionals last season, but led by freshman Addison Allaire, Trenton cruised to a 21-2 season in 2024.

This included wins over top ranked teams like Santa Fe, GHS, Fort White and Branford itself.

On paper, Trenton has the massive advantage over its opponent – Holmes County – but the Blue Devils did upset top-seeded Northview to win Region 1, so the Tigers still must be on guard.

Will momentum continue for Branford?

The journey to states proved much tougher Branford. The Buccaneers fell behind early to four-seeded Aucilla Christian in the first round and needed to field a massive comeback.

Coach Oscar Saavedra said Branford overlooked Aucilla a bit.

“It sat us back a little bit after a couple innings. We're like, ‘hey, they're the real deal,’” Saaverda said. “They had a great pitcher, defensively they look great.”

Fortunately, the Bucs did just enough to squeeze past with a 3-2 win.

There was no overlooking their next opponent – Fort White. The Indians and Bucs met last Tuesday for the Region 3 Championship, and it was an old school pitchers duel between Kadence Compton and Laila Arnold.

The two battled for seven innings, and Arnold escaped multiple jams. Saavedra said that happened because she trusted her defense.

In the bottom of the seventh, senior Madyson Sikes sent the Bucs faithful into a frenzy with a home run deep into the Suwannee County sky.

Saavedra knew the moment the ball left Sikes’ bat it was GONE.

“She's hit enough since I've been coaching her that it's automatic,” Saavedra said. “When I saw it, but then again, I did second guess myself, I was like isn't really out. Are you kidding me? It was freaking gone.”

Prior to the game, BHS made shirts proclaiming them “Regional Champions.”

“I figured we were either going to keep them or burn them,” Saavedra said.

The Bucs now head to Clermont for the second year in a row. In 2023, they lost to Liberty County in the state title game.

As luck would have it, Branford will face the Bulldogs Friday at 1:45 p.m. to decide who advances to the 1A title game.

For Sikes, revenge will be the mantra in Lake County.

“We have to keep a chip on our shoulders and just be ready to face anything,” she said.

The 1A state title game is set for 2 p.m. Saturday from Legends Way.

Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville High, Trenton, Branford compete at FHSAA Softball Championships