Wakulla softball fall just shy of State Final 4, drop 4A Regional final to Baker County

Wakulla softball established itself as a state power last season, making a run to the Class 4A state championship with a roster compiled of sophomores and freshmen.

While the expectation for the team this season was to return to the state championship game and bring the hardware home, the fairytale ending for Wakulla wasn't to be this season as the War Eagles fell to the visiting Baker County 6-2 in the Class 4A Region 1 final on Thursday night.

Even with the loss, Wakulla head coach Sally Wheeler said there is still plenty for her team to be proud of after a second consecutive 20-win season, finishing the year 24-4.

"I'm so proud of them for having an amazing season," Wheeler said. "Getting 20 regular season wins, only losing one time at home after what was a 22-game home winning streak that we had. They have a lot to be proud of and they grew so much this year maturity-wise."

Thursday's game started with a pitcher's dual between Wakulla's Charley Butler and Baker County's Rylee Walker. Both teams scored a run in the fourth inning, but two runs in the fifth and three runs in the top of the seventh gave the Wildcats the edge.

Ranking as the 10th-best team in the state by the FHSAA and the number one team in 4A, the War Eagles once again compiled a dominant season without any seniors on the roster, relying on its strong core of young players.

All 19 players on the roster will return next season, with the War Eagles expected to have seven seniors. Wheeler said that Thursday night's loss will stick with the team as it navigates the offseason, and the players will come back next season with a fire in their eyes.

"I think a huge motivating factor. The past two years and the success we've had, hopefully it continues and they have that constant drive," Wheeler said. "We will have seven seniors next year and I think that will be huge for us and help us really execute and dominate in this situation next year."

With the majority of the team still only freshmen and sophomores, Wheeler feels like this season gave her younger players the experience they needed to take their games to the next level.

Wheeler feels the loss will motivate her younger core of players and she said the performances this season helped the 12 underclassmen learn what it takes to compete in high school, and how to handle pressure.

"They got experience being on a big stage. Even at the high school level, playing in front of all of these crowds that we've had that have been awesome, it just teaches them to handle pressure a little differently," Wheeler said. There's so much on the line and so much to protect, so it's tough to lose when you've only lost three times this season."

Wakulla ends the season 24-4, winners of the Class 4A District 1 title.

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Wakulla softball drop 4A Regional final against Baker County