Here are the top 55 Gainesville area high school softball players so far in 2024

The calendar has now switched to April, and across the Gainesville area, the softball season has reached about its midway point.

By month's end, we will be entering postseason play, but for now, many statements are left to be made.

In the FHSAA's first rankings, released last Monday, six area squads ranked in the top 86 of Florida. Three of them (Branford, Williston and Santa Fe) look to continue where they left off in 2024, while the top three (Trenton, Fort White and GHS) are ready to reclaim former glory after a down 2023.

Regardless, loads of players have also left their mark this season.

Here are 55 Gainesville area players we've been watching this season and will continue to keep an eye on.

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Most of these names come from coaches locally. If you are a coach and would like to submit more names, please send them to nram@gannett.com.

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Leanna Bourdage, GHS

Bourdage entered GHS with high expectations as a freshman, and thus far has lived up to those expectations and even drawn the attention of Gators softball coach Tim Walton. Bourdage already ranks fourth in Florida in ERA at 0.18. The Hurricanes also benefitted from the transfer of Columbia star and Gainesville All-Area First Teamer from 2023 McKenna O’Sullivan, who ranks 28^th in Florida in RBIs. Other names to watch include Braylin Cook and Elise Knopf.

Addison Allaire, Trenton

The area’s other top freshman, who also drew the eyes of Walton, is Allaire. She’s been with Trenton since sixth grade, but she’s improved her game big time and helped to restore glory for the Tigers. Allaire is 14th in FL in home runs, 35th in Florida in strikeouts and first in 1A in ERA. Other Tigers to watch include Lou Weaver, Brandy Dees and Ella Emmons.

Julianne Lampton, Bronson

Lampton helped lift Bronson to 11 wins last season and as eighth grader. Her .642 OBP ranked 2^nd last season in 1A. Her batting average (.457), strikeouts (63) and ERA (3.21) all rank in the top 30 in 1A. Senior Tatum Gibson is also a name to keep an eye on.

Hollie Pabst, Newberry

Pabst, along with her teammate Malana Kennard, led the Panthers to 15 wins last season. Pabst was 10^th in Florida in RBIs and ranked in the top 15 in 1A in batting average, home runs, slugging, runs and on base. Kennard was just as impressive. She was 3^rd in Florida in runs and top 10 in 1A in batting average and on base. Both were named All-Area First Team in 2023.

Shyla Crowe, Union County

Under new coach Brian Tomlinson, the Fightin’ Tigers lost a lot of key talent from last season’s squad, but Crowe returns, as does Campbell Webb, Mackenzie Orton and Leanne Dicks.

Julianna Abraham, Buchholz

The Bobcats already, through nine games, have more wins than all of last season. While Abraham played well for the ‘Cats in 2023, “The Bear” has improved to the heights this season. Her 20 RBIs are 5^th in 6A and 41th in Florida. She also ranks in the top 40 in 6A in BA, slugging, on base and home runs. She’s joined by Jordyn Cooper, Jayda Cooper, Kylee Wilson, Leila Ricks, Amelia Collins and Madison Blackford.

Mattie Cobb, Dixie County

Last season, the Bears went all the way to the 1A Final Four, but they lost a load of key pieces from 2023 including Small School Player of the Year Bria Hinkle. Cobb is the best remaining Bear, along with Jaden Wilkerson and Hadley Hines.

Laila Arnold, Branford

The Bucs were the lone team to advance further than DC last season, going to the state final and losing to Liberty County. Arnold excelled for Branford with 258 Ks, 13^th in Florida, and 17 wins, 21^st in Florida. Her ERA (1.65) is 7^th in 1A. Madyson Sikes also made her mark at 9^th in 1A in homers and 13^th in RBIs. Other names to watch include Morgan Brennan, Jesse Frierson, Mallory Blue, Alex Whitfield and Cloey Criggal.

Kaelyn Williams, Hawthorne

Hawthorne surprised some last season with a 12-9 record. They are joined by Synteria Williams, Chloe Feagle and Ashlyn Coleman

Nevaeh Hayes, Williston

Hayes was a Swiss army knife for the Red Devils in 2023. She was top 17 in 1A in slugging percentage, RBIs, runs, home runs and ERA. She’s kept it up in 2024, ranking in the top 10 in 1A in ERA, home runs and RBIs. She’s joined by Jayla Coleman, Savannah Rodriguez and Baylee Cribbs.

Kadence Compton, Fort White

Another Swiss army knife for the Indians, Compton ranked in the top 20 in 1A in strikeouts, ERA, home runs, no hitters and wins. In 2024, she’s moved up to the top six in 1A in Ks, ERA and wins. Other names to watch include Gracie Clemons, Meloney Heagles and Jermauni Byrd.

J’Lyn Guyden, Santa Fe

The Gainesville Sun’s All-Area Big School Player of the Year, Guyden has led the Raiders to a great start this season. She ranks in the top 23 in 1A in batting average and RBI. Maren Hornsby, Amy Crosby and Gracie Mattson also helm the Raiders.

Emma Mansfield, PK Yonge

Mansfield is a hitting machine for the Blue Wave, as she ranks in the top 28 in 3A in batting average, home runs, on base percentage and slugging percentage (1.450, third in Florida and first in 3A). Alison Sanetz and Brianna Garrison top PK as well.

Abbie Roach, Keystone Heights

Roach leads the Indians in multiple categories this season, including runs, hits, RBIs, slugging percentage, doubles and triples. Ashley Nugent and Kadency Massey led Keystone as well.

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 area top high school softball players so far in 2024