SWFL Softball Midseason Awards, Rankings: Vote for the top players midway through 2024
At the midway point of the high school softball season, it's a good time to check in with our Southwest Florida teams.
About six weeks from the state tournament in Clermont, several local squads stand a good chance of making the trip.
As we head into the second half of the season, here are The News-Press/Naples Daily News team rankings, along with our nominees for Midseason Player of the Year, Slugger of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. You can vote in the polls below to have your say in the winners.
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Here are our midseason rankings and accolades, based on results through April 2:
Midseason Softball Rankings
1. Evangelical Christian (11-1)
The Sentinels are ranked 14th in the state overall by the FHSAA and No. 1 in Class 2A and who are we to argue with the FHSAA? Starting pitcher Zoe Yzaguirre is dealing in her senior season with 79 strikeouts through 42 innings in the circle. After reaching the Class 2A state championship game last season, expect the experience of this squad — with state champion head coach Johnny Manetta and veterans like Kylie Shaw and Makayla Jakubuwski — to help them contend once again.
2. Bishop Verot (10-1)
Replacing an ace like Victoria Ash isn't easy, but the Vikings are continuing to thrive among the best in the area. Sophomore Payton Breadmore and Crimson Lawrence, a transfer from Mariner, have split duties in the circle, combining for a 6-1 record. Junior McKenna Robbins is leading the team with 21 hits, 10 stolen bases and an eye-popping .600 batting average. The team's only loss came in the Private 8 Championship game to ECS.
3. Fort Myers (9-0)
Beating previously No.1-ranked North Fort Myers on the road without their leader and top player Sage Rodmyer says a lot about this Green Wave squad. Behind a clutch performance in the circle by Alexa Bent, who is 6-0 on the season, and opportunistic bats, Fort Myers has yet to lose a game this season. No one would have batted an eye if the Green Wave took a step back after the graduation of sensation Julia Knowler, now at Clemson, but the young squad appears up to the task. Credit returnees like Tegan Webb and promising underclassmen like Afton Jessogne, Tori Fulcher and Daciana Harvey for helping to bridge the gap.
4. North Fort Myers (12-1)
Yes, the Red Knights stumbled against Fort Myers, but North still has a killer lineup and picked a bad time to play a poor game. You would expect a deep team with strong leadership to be able to bounce back. Averaging 11 runs a game, North is an offensive juggernaut with the big bats of Mia Lane, Audrie Florenzano, and Abigail Hynes leading the way. That's been backed up defensively with the play of sophomore pitcher Kaliyah Willams, who has struck out 68 batters through 47 innings. Williams has also been an asset at the plate with 17 hits and 14 RBI.
5. LaBelle (11-2)
Before the season, area coaches had the Cowgirls in their preseason top 10s and LaBelle has done nothing to dissuade those opinions. Ranked 50th in the state and 5th in Class 4A, they have lived up to the hype. The team's only losses have come against state top-25 teams in ECS and Bishop Verot. Much have their success has come through the defense and pitching staff of Payton Crews and Abby Hicks — the team has given up just 26 runs through 12 games. Offensively, Marissa Burchard continues to prove herself as one of the top players in the area with Carli Spencer and Emorie Anderson also starting the season strong.
6. Riverdale (11-2)
Don't sleep on the Raiders. The team has been stingy in giving up runs behind freshman pitcher Adrianna Manetta's start to the season — she has posted a 1.94 ERA with 69 strikeouts through 47 innings. The Riverdale bats have been just as dangerous, though they've cooled off a bit after facing some tougher competition. Ella Bundy and Gabby Giugliano have each topped 20 hits on the season so far with the latter leading the team with 11 stolen bases.
7. Estero (8-4)
The Wildcats hung tough against Riverdale last week, eventually falling 2-1 in extras. Pitching has been a strength of the squad with senior Joey Gray leading the way — she has a 1.96 ERA with 73 strikeouts. Offensively, Estero will be looking to get their firepower to match their defense. Sophomore Ava Weinbaum has impressed with 20 stolen bases so far this season.
8. Mariner (7-5)
The Tritons bounced back after a tough start to the year. Starting pitcher Gabi Winters has been a breakout player, posting a 7-2 record in her freshman season along with 101 strikeouts against 11 walks. Another freshman, Aleigha Colley, is delivering with a .700 on-base percentage in seven games. The team has struggled against high-quality opponents as the Tritons have been unable to score a run in their four losses.
9. SFCA (9-2)
The King's picked up wins over Riverdale and Seacrest last week, cementing their status as a team to watch. Head coach Chris Davis has built a winning formula with this group — eighth-grader Braelyn Davis leads the team in the circle, while there are plenty of formidable bats in the King's lineup. That includes transfer Candice Chime and eighth grader Adrianna Thorne, who leads the team in hits, runs, and RBI.
10. Seacrest (9-2)
The Stingrays have started the year with plenty of success, albeit against softer competition. Caroline Porter has been steady as the team's starting pitcher, giving up 15 earned runs in 10 appearances. The top of Seacrest's batting order has proved to be dangerous with Jolie Booth and Cecelia Spencer's bats showing up consistently for the team. Spencer's 1.477 OPS leads the team.
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Midseason Player of the Year
Marissa Burchard, LaBelle
Burchard's standout athletic career with the Cowgirls continues to impress as she plays her senior season. With a .500 batting average, she leads her team in hits, runs, and stolen bases. Ten of her 16 hits have gone for extra bases.
Mia Lane, North Fort Myers
The Red Knights' catcher with a big bat continues to make a name for herself as one of the standout players in the area. She leads North with a 1.750 OPS, getting 24 hits in 41 at-bats. Her penchant for extra-base knocks, including five home runs, has produced a team-leading 22 RBI. At catcher, she has 83 putouts.
McKenna Robbins, Bishop Verot
Robbins is a big reason why the Vikings are off to a great start. She leads the team in hits (21), runs (17) and RBI (17) and has yet to strike out this season. She has also been perfect in center field for Verot.
Sage Rodmyre, Fort Myers
The junior has helped the Green Wave remain undefeated as one of the leaders on a young team. Rodmyre is batting .524 and drove in 9 runs through six games. She has four multi-hit games and is yet to strike out.
Zoe Yzaguirre, ECS
There was no doubt the Sentinels' ace would deliver in her senior season. Pitching 42 innings, Yzaguirre has posted a 1.31 ERA. She has struck out 79 batters and walked just three this season.
Midseason Pitcher of the Year
Payton Breadmore, Bishop Verot
Playing well in her freshman season a year ago, Breadmore has taken the opportunity as the Vikings' starting pitcher and ran with it. With a 1.91 ERA, she has been effective in the circle, giving up 9 earned runs in 33 innings.
Braelyn Davis, SFCA
Davis is another young pitcher that has anchored her team this year. She has gone 7-2 in 11 appearances and recorded 64 strikeouts in 48 innings.
Joey Gray, Estero
With a 1.96 ERA, the senior has six wins on the season. Carrying the load in the circle for the Wildcats with 64 innings, she has struck out 73 batters and given up just one long ball.
Adrianna Manetta, Riverdale
The freshman has proved herself integral to the Raiders' success. Going 8-1, she has given up 13 runs on the season and struck out 69 batters in 47 innings.
Kaliyah Williams, North Fort Myers
With the tall task of replacing Kendall Wylie in the circle, the sophomore has had a successful start to the season. In 47 innings, she has struck out 68 batters and hasn't given up runs in 5 of 11 appearances.
Gabi Winters, Mariner
The freshman has pitched 52 of 61 innings for the Tritons this season. Flourishing in the role, Winters has struck out 101 batters against 11 walks and posted a 7-2 record.
Midseason Slugger of the Year
Gianna Frino, Barron Collier
The junior has made a major contribution to the 109 Cougar runs that have crossed the plate this year. She is hitting .536 with 15 hits, 1 double, 7 triples, and 3 home runs.
Gabby Giugliano, Riverdale
The senior has 10 extra-base hits, including 5 triples and 2 home runs, to lead the Raiders. Giugliano has produced 20 hits in 36 at-bats.
Makayla Jakubuwski, ECS
Jakubuwski leads the Sentinels in extra-base hits with 4 doubles, 3 triple and a homer, helping her squad remain one of the area's best. She has 19 hits in 33 at-bats and struck out just once.
Crimson Lawrence, Bishop Verot
Lawrence has been a big addition to the Vikings' lineup after transferring from Mariner, batting .486 with 17 hits, 10 RBI, and 12 runs scored batting behind McKenna Robbins.
Mackenzie Leiti, Naples
There is no doubt Leiti is one of the best sluggers in Southwest Florida. With a .576 average, she has 19 hits, 8 doubles, and an area-leading 6 home runs.
Cecilia Spencer, Seacrest
This freshman is dangerous in the batter's box. Hitting .517, she has 15 knocks, including 7 doubles and a home run. Teammate Jolie Booth, a sophomore, is another threatening bat for the Stringrays.
Midseason Newcomer of the Year
Tori Fulcher, Fort Myers
Fulcher has played a considerable role in maintaining the high standard the Green Wave has established over the years. The freshman leads the team with a .550 batting average, along with 11 hits, 8 RBI and 7 runs through 8 games.
Daciana Harvey, Fort Myers
Another talented freshman producing for the Green Wave, Harvey leads the team with 12 hits in 26 at-bats. She is strong on the base paths too, scoring 12 runs for Fort Myers. In the outfield, she has been perfect to start the season.
Jayline Martinez, Aubrey Rogers
The freshman is helping to lead the success of the first-year program. Martinez leads the team with 21 hits, 13 stolen bases and 7 walks. She has scored runs 19 times for the Patriots.
Jordyn Prado, North Fort Myers
The freshman has backed up starting pitcher Kaliyah Williams admirably. Going for 25 innings in the circle, she has a 0.56 ERA with 28 strikeouts. At the plate, she has produced 13 hits — 6 going for extra bases.
Adrianna Thorne, SFCA
Look out for this eighth-grader. Thorne has been a thorn in the sides of many pitchers, smacking 20 hits in 33 at-bats and driving in 14 runs. She has been errorless in center field with 12 putouts.
Sophia Truchan, Aubrey Rogers
The freshman has shown off her power in the early goings with the Patriots with 6 of her 16 hits going for extra bases. She has recorded 6 multi-hit games to start the season.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Southwest Florida Softball 2024 Midseason Report: Rankings, player honors
