SWFL softball: Final News-Press/Naples Daily News ranking ahead of district tournaments
Welcome to the postseason, softball fans.
There's plenty to get excited about with several teams producing quality outings on a weekly basis. But now, it's crunch time with district tournaments starting up.
More: FHSAA Baseball, Softball seedings: Where Collier, Lee teams ranked heading into district play
For the last time this regular season, The News-Press and Naples Daily News are ranking our local squads. Here is where they landed:
Stats reflect games played through April 25.
1. Evangelical Christian (21-2)
Last time: 1
With just two losses on the season, there is no reason to shake the Sentinels from the top spot. The team has defeated all local competition, including victories against Bishop Verot, LaBelle and an extra-innings win against North Fort Myers. Senior ace Zoe Yzaguirre is dealing as expected, striking out 142 batters in 76 innings with a 1.55 ERA. Makayla Jakubuski and Kylie Shaw have each produced more than 30 hits for ECS with the latter leading the team with 22 stolen bases.
2. Bishop Verot (18-6-1)
Last time: 2
The Vikings have produced while facing the toughest schedule in the area. The team's only local loss came against ECS in the Private 8 championship game. Junior McKenna Robbins is having a phenomenal season, leading the team in batting average (.470), hits (39), RBI (31) and stolen bases (26). The platoon of Payton Breadmore, Paige Bettermann, and Crimson Lawrence have been holding down the fort in the circle.
3. LaBelle (19-6)
Last time: 5
The Cowgirls are on the rise after notching close recent wins against North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. The team has scored an incredible 197 runs this season with Marissa Burchard, Abby Hicks, Emorie Anderson, and Carli Spencer leading the way. Burchard has 19 extra-base hits this season with 6 going for homers. In the circle, Hicks has a team-leading ERA of 1.18 while Payton Crews has guided the Cowgirls to some of their biggest wins.
4. Fort Myers (17-6-1)
Last time: 3
This young Green Wave squad is stepping up to the plate. The team is mixing the experience of players like Alexa Bent and Sage Rodmyre with promising youngsters like Afton Jessogne, Tori Fulcher, and Daciana Harvey to create a winning recipe. Rodmyre leads the team with a .531 batting average, producing 34 hits and striking out just once. Rodmyre has also hit 8 home runs so far.
5. North Fort Myers (19-5)
Last time: 4
The Red Knights have been on the losing end of some close battles, but this team is definitely not to be slept on. The bats of Audrie Florenzano, Mia Lane and Abby Hynes have been monstrous — each has more than 40 hits on the season, and the team has scored 250 runs so far. Lane has produced 20 extra-base hits with 7 home runs and leads the team with 43 RBI. In the circle, underclassmen Kaliyah Williams and Jordyn Prado have been formidable for the Red Knights.
6. Riverdale (18-7)
Last time: 6
The Raiders are putting together one of their best seasons. A lot of that has to do with the stability of reliable pitching from freshman Adrianna Manetta, who has posted a 2.44 ERA, 14-5 record and 115 strikeouts. The bats have had plenty of say too with Maddie Schmidt, Ella Bundy, and Gabby Giugliano consistently producing for the team. Giuglano's 13 extra-base hits lead the team.
7. Estero (16-6)
Last time: 7
The Wildcats posted a signature win against Fort Myers earlier this month, proving themselves as a team to watch going forward. Senior pitcher Joey Gray has put together a strong season with a 13-4 record and 2.13 ERA. Senior Jenel Favata and sophomore Avery Sanchez each have at least 30 hits with the latter leading the team with 37 RBI. Sophomore Ava Weinbaum has stolen bases successfully 30 times.
8. SFCA (16-5)
Last time: 9
The King's are another team making big strides this year, and they have several middle schoolers to thank. Eighth-grader Adrianna Thorne is leading the team in batting average (.586), hits (34), RBI (23) and stolen bases (30). In the circle, another eighth-grader, Braelyn Davis has put together a 15-3 record, striking out 116 batters in 100 innings. The King's schedule has been comfortable, but you can't knock the squad for their impressive production.
9. Ida Baker (12-8)
Last time: NR
Playing tough teams week-in and week-out, the Bulldogs have been reliable in beating the teams they are supposed to beat. The team's only loss to a team not ranked higher came against Mariner, who they got back the next day. The Nieves sisters, Makayla and Julie, have combined for 52 hits and 37 RBI. Teammates Kaiden Nealeigh and Alyssa Auger have 21 hits each. Reliable pitching has been the team's Achilles' heel to this point with the team giving up 118 runs.
10. Barron Collier (11-7)
Last time: NR
The Cougars look like the best team in Collier County though they've had a few rough outings throughout the season. What could be a game-changer is the return of senior pitcher Reese Gill, who has spent limited time in the circle in the team's last five games. Looking past the Cougars' pitching woes, the team's bats are as dangerous as any team around. Sheila Forbes and Jordyn Kinn have 32 hits each, while Gianna Frino leads the team with 15 extra-base hits, including 5 long balls.
NEXT 5: Immokalee, Seacrest Country Day, Mariner, Aubrey Rogers, Bonita Springs
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SWFL softball: Final News-Press/Naples Daily News rankings
