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Who's atop the first The News-Press/Naples Daily News Softball Power Rankings to begin 2024?

ed reed, fort myers news-press
·5 min read

The 2024 softball season is underway.

Through our preseason research and polling area coaches, we narrowed down who are the best Southwest Florida teams, at least at the start. The top four teams were pretty unanimous and then opinions swung widely after that but several schools kept popping up.

Here are the first The News-Press/Naples Daily News Softball Top 10 for this spring.

1. North Fort Myers

Last Season: 25-3, made playoffs (lost to Parrish in Class 5A-Region 3 final)

The Red Knights made it to the regional final last year, falling to eventual state champion Parrish 2-0. Despite the losses of star players Kendall Wylie and Desirae Devine, the Red Knights roster is stocked enough to get back to a regional final and beyond. By the end of the season, Kaliyah Williams should be a contender for Player of the Year and started the season throwing a perfect game while also going 3-for-3 at the plate. Mia Lane, Abby Hynes, Audrie Florenzano, and Azlynn Gomes all return having combined for 126 runs, 100 RBI, and 7 home runs last season.

2. Evangelical Christian

Last Season: 22-6-1, made playoffs (lost to University Christian in Class 2A championship)

The Sentinels fell just short in their quest for a state title last season. There's no reason to believe the Sentinels can't rectify that result this season. Zoe Yzaguirre is dominant in the circle and Kylie Shaw, a Florida commit, is dynamite at the top of the order with her speed and bat control as well as her range in the outfield. By the end of the season, shortstop Keaunna Green can be one of the top players in the area with Anayeli Guzman scoring runs and Makayla Jakubuwski driving them in.

3. Bishop Verot

Last Season: 23-5, made playoffs (lost to Calvary Christian in Class 3A-Region 3 final)

The Vikings have a complete squad with depth in several key areas. Verot may have lost ace pitcher Victoria Ash, who is now throwing at Stetson, but the Vikings have quality arms in sophomore Payton Breadmore, freshman Paige Bettermann and Mariner transfer junior Crimson Lawrence. Lawrence and Betterman will also contribute in the field and at the plate and will add oomph to a lineup that includes returnees McKenna Robbins, Melanie Moreno, and Lillie Layne.

4. LaBelle

LaBelle softball won the 2023 District 4A-12 title.
LaBelle softball won the 2023 District 4A-12 title.

Last Season: 20-9, made playoffs (lost to Robinson in Class 4A-Region 3 semifinals)

Area coaches are high on the Cowgirls and with the players they have returning, it's easy to see why. Shortstop Marissa Burchard is a combination of speed and power. Memphis commit Carli Spencer, outfielder Calia White and pitcher Abigail Hicks all return as key contributors, and second baseman Emorie Anderson should make a name for herself this season.

5. Barron Collier

Sheila Forbes of Barron Collier runs to make a catch against ECS on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, in Fort Myers.
Sheila Forbes of Barron Collier runs to make a catch against ECS on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, in Fort Myers.

Last Season: 15-11, made playoffs (lost to Parrish in Class 5A-Region 3 semifinals)

The Cougars have the power and speed to have a successful season. The question will be in the circle. Starter Reese Gill has entered the season injured, therefore sophomore Leena Forbes is shouldering the duty. She will have help behind her with speedy Sheila Forbes moving from the outfield to shortstop. The Cougars should be able to produce runs on most teams with the likes of Gianna Frino, Abby Rascher, Gabby Alvarez, and Jordyn Kinn in the lineup.

6. Fort Myers

Last Season: 15-14, made playoffs (lost to North Fort Myers in Class 5A-Region 3 semifinals)

The Green Wave have to find a way to mitigate the loss at the plate and in the circle of three-time Southwest Florida Softball Player of the Year Julia Knowler, but those types of players are not easily replaced. Fort Myers has a rising star in Sage Rodmyre at third base as well as shortstop Tegan Webb. The question will be how Alexa Bent and Afton Jessogne develop in the circle.

7. Riverdale

Last Season: 9-18, missed playoffs

The Raiders have a lot of versatility with their players to allow them to mix and match vs. opponents. Maddie Schmid is mainly a center fielder who can slap with speed while shortstop Gabriella Giugliano will lead off and swing with power. Ella Bundy and Moriah English will also bring pop to the lineup while freshman Adrianna Manetta will carry the load in the circle, joined by left-handed pitcher Jordyn Korpi.

8. Ida Baker

Ida Baker's Alyssa Auger gets ready to hit as Ida Baker visited North Fort Myers Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. North Fort Myers defeated Ida Baker with a final score of 14-4.
Ida Baker's Alyssa Auger gets ready to hit as Ida Baker visited North Fort Myers Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. North Fort Myers defeated Ida Baker with a final score of 14-4.

Last Season: 17-7, made playoffs (lost to North Fort Myers in Class 5A-Region 3 quarterfinals)

Julie and Mikayla Nieves have terrorized Southwest Florida pitchers for several years and the sisters will do so for the last time in 2024. While the Bulldogs should continue to pummel the ball against most teams, the question is can they keep their opponents from outscoring them?

9. Mariner

Fort Myers hosts Mariner in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Fort Myers High School. Fort Myers won 3-2.
Fort Myers hosts Mariner in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Fort Myers High School. Fort Myers won 3-2.

Last Season: 16-12, made playoffs (lost to Mariner in Class 5A-Region 3 quarterfinals)

The Tritons saw No. 1 starter Crimson Lawrence transfer to Bishop Verot so freshman Gabi Winters will take the lead role in the circle. Home run machine Katie Campbell graduated, so Mariner will look for production from elsewhere, including catcher Mia Standard and sophomore Calleigh Buzard.

10. Estero

Last Season: 14-8, missed playoffs

The Wildcats took a positive step last season and look poised to continue that trend. Joey Gray has taken the lead in the circle while catcher Jenel Favata, Dena Peregrin, Ava Weintraub, and Avery Sanchez return as top hitters. The big question: can they push Estero past LaBelle and Cypress Lake in District 4A-12? That will be something to watch this season.

Next Five

Aubrey Rogers, Bonita Springs, Cypress Lake, Immokalee, Naples

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: North Fort Myers, ECS, Bishop Verot atop first SWFL softball rankings in 2024