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Softball's sweet 16: Tuesday's second-round playoff previews for Northeast Florida

clayton freeman, jacksonville florida times-union
·4 min read

The Florida High School Athletic Association continues the 2024 softball playoffs with Tuesday's second round for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Schedules are as listed by the FHSAA but are subject to change.

All games 7 p.m. Tuesday unless noted

REGION 1-7A

Creekside (21-5) at Lake Brantley (17-8)

There are no easy outs in the Creekside lineup, from the top with Kaylee Martineau and Carly Dall all the way to the No. 9 slot. Victory Tuesday means Creekside's deepest playoff run since 2019. Junior Kayla Morris has 11 doubles for Lake Brantley, which uses a pitching combination with Lauren Compton and Isabella Rosales. The winner will meet Spruce Creek or Sanford Seminole on Friday.

How they got here: Top seed Middleburg rallies past Columbia, Creekside tops Timber Creek

REGION 1-6A

Oakleaf (18-8) at Oviedo Hagerty (22-5)

This is a chance at revenge for Oakleaf, eliminated 2-0 by Hagerty last year on a one-hit shutout by Ella Verne. Hagerty brings long-ball power in abundance, including Alexis Felker (.377, 10 HR, 33 RBI) and Ana Roman (.388, 9 HR, 22 RBI). Oakleaf's battery of Charlotte Maddox and Meshayla Pettaway is among Northeast Florida's best. Pace or Niceville will be up next for the winner.

REGION 1-5A

Gainesville (21-4) at Middleburg (22-4)

Middleburg players including Kaelyn Hagan (33), Kerra Clarida (00), Alyssa Prather (78) and Isabell Pifer (12) line up for introductions for an April 23 game.
Middleburg players including Kaelyn Hagan (33), Kerra Clarida (00), Alyssa Prather (78) and Isabell Pifer (12) line up for introductions for an April 23 game.

A tough assignment for the Broncos against Gainesville freshman Leanna Bourdage, who no-hit them with 18 strikeouts in the district final. But Middleburg is always deadly at the top of the order with Kaelyn Hagan, Kerra Clarida and Alyssa Prather, two years removed from an unforgettable state title. The winner advances to a Friday regional final against Fort Walton Beach or Gulf Breeze.

REGION 1-4A

South Walton (10-10) at Baker County (18-5)

Baker County's Haley Marker (14) fist-bumps teammate Mallory Jackson (25) after a sacrifice RBI to take the lead in an April game.
Baker County's Haley Marker (14) fist-bumps teammate Mallory Jackson (25) after a sacrifice RBI to take the lead in an April game.

With an eight-game winning streak, Baker County is playing its best softball of 2024. Baleigh Shields is batting .588 with three doubles and a homer in her last five games. Ella Troutt (3-1, 0.68, 110 K; .400, 7 HR, 23 RBI) stands out for South Walton. Baker County defeated the Seahawks 9-0 in last year's regionals. The winner advances to Friday's regional final against Wakulla or West Florida.

REGION 1-3A

Marianna (17-8) at Baldwin (27-1)

Baldwin's Chloe Gotto (6) prepares to bat against Episcopal during the district final.
Baldwin's Chloe Gotto (6) prepares to bat against Episcopal during the district final.

The balanced Baldwin lineup churned out six extra-base hits last week, including homers for Cali Hartung and Jazmine Ramos-Merced. Baldwin topped 100 extra-base hits for the year, including 33 homers. They'll face a Stetson-signed pitcher in Kennedy Temples, up to 248 strikeouts with a 1.56 ERA for the Bulldogs, plus long-ball threats Addison Giles and Jadyn Riano.

West Nassau (17-8) at Episcopal (24-3), 6 p.m.

Grace Jones has been Northeast Florida's top two-way threat all year, and she showed it against West Nassau in March with a home run and a double in the Eagles' 7-2 victory. Senior Reese Green reached base three times in the regional opener and sparks the always-dangerous Warriors. Episcopal edged West Nassau in a 4-3 extra-inning thriller in regionals in 2021.

REGION 1-2A

Trinity Christian (9-12) at University Christian (16-7)

UC hasn't lost a playoff game before the final four since Rocky Bayou Christian beat them 16-1 on May 3, 2018, when pitching ace Sophia Kardatzke was in sixth grade. Kardatzke, Jaleigha Harris and Kate Dell'Alba lead a loaded lineup. But it takes only one swing of the bat for Mercer-signed senior Hannah Rivers (.355, 6 HR, 19 RBI) to change the game for Trinity.

Tallahassee North Florida Christian (9-14) at Providence (10-12), 5 p.m.

Providence's Summer Stearns (7) applauds after a three-run homer by teammate Elle Burns in the Region 1-2A quarterfinals.
Providence's Summer Stearns (7) applauds after a three-run homer by teammate Elle Burns in the Region 1-2A quarterfinals.

Providence, which has alternated wins and losses for one month, has received consistent production from sophomore infielder Summer Stearns (.458, 6 2B, 3 HR, 1.359 OPS, nine-game hitting streak). For NFC, the player to watch is sophomore Skylar Young, effective at the plate (.338, 8 2B, 4 HR, 23 RBI) and in the circle (5-4, 2.35 ERA, 122 K).

REGION 3-1A

Fort White (13-5) at Branford (22-6)

Branford's Cloey Criggall slides safely into second base against Fort White in the district softball final.
Branford's Cloey Criggall slides safely into second base against Fort White in the district softball final.

Fort White defeated Branford 9-3 and 12-5 in the regular season, but the Buccaneers triumphed 3-1 in the district tournament. Fort White dual-threat junior Kadence Compton must overcome Branford's deadly combination of Laila Arnold (15-3, 1.64 ERA, 154 K) and Jesse Frierson (.424, 11 2B, 9 HR). The winner will advance to the May 24 state semifinals in Clermont against an opponent to be determined based on the FHSAA ranking formula.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: FHSAA softball playoffs 2024: Northeast Florida round two previews