University Christian Wins Class 2A Softball State Championship

Clermont Fl- University Christian (Jacksonville) softball defeated Evangelical Christian (Fort Myers) by a score of 3-2 to win the FHSAA Class 2A State Championship on Wednesday. The Softball title is the first in the school’s storied championship history.

University Christian defeated Foundation Academy 11-0 in the state semifinals to advance to the championship. Sophia Kardatzke pitched a five-inning no-hitter to lead the Christians to a 11-0 win.

PITCH PERFECT! University Christian’s Sophia Kardatzke tosses a five-inning perfect game to lead the Christians to a 11-0 win over Foundation Academy.

No hits, no free passes and 11 Ks. pic.twitter.com/8JFomwHlL2

— Ainslie Lee (@AinsliesTwoBits) May 22, 2023

Yet Kardatzke wasn’t finished with her post-season performances. In the championship versus Evangelical Christian she would pitch the entire game, holding the Sentinals to their lowest point total in a loss since March. The junior finished the year with over 225 strike-outs.

UC would jump out early in the first inning of the championship going up 2-0, thanks to a Kate Dell’alba RBI double. Evangelical Christian would tie the score at 2-2 when Makayla Jakubuwski scored in the 4th inning to get them on the board.

UC would respond, when junior Jaleigha Harris would hit the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Senior Jahliyah Robinson drew a walk at bat, and stole second before beating the throw at home to score the eventual winning run off the Harris RBI.

Ending my senior year with a state championship title #2 out pic.twitter.com/lOyqboCXS8

— Jahliyah Robinson (@JahliyahRobins2) May 24, 2023

Robinson is the sister of former Sandalwood defensive back Jahquez Robinson who recently transferred from Alabama to Colorado. She’s committed to the College of Central Florida to play softball. It was a story book ending for Robinson, scoring the winning run in the championship game of her senior season.

Opponent	Result
@ Middleburg (Middleburg, FL)Location: Middleburg High School	(W) 7 – 5
Riverside (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 15 – 0
Bartram Trail (St. Johns, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 12 – 0
Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 16 – 0
Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 15 – 0
Bolles (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 15 – 0
West Port (Ocala, FL)Game Details: Doc 4 Life	(W) 5 – 1
St. Brendan (Miami, FL)	(L) 4 – 3
Hagerty (Oviedo, FL)	(L) 19 – 10
Forest (Ocala, FL)	(W) 6 – 1
First Coast (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 3 – 0
Palatka (Palatka, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 14 – 1
@ Baker County (Glen St. Mary, FL)Location: Baker County High School	(W) 10 – 5
@ Creekside (St. Johns, FL)Location: Creekside High School	(W) 2 – 0
West Nassau (Callahan, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 6 – 1
Baldwin (Baldwin, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 10 – 3
@ West Nassau (Callahan, FL)Location: West Nassau High School	(W) 7 – 4
Keystone Heights (Keystone Heights, FL)Game Details: UC Senior Night	(W) 13 – 1
Parsons Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL)2023 FHSAA Softball District Tournaments – 2A District 3	(W) 17 – 0
Providence School (Jacksonville, FL)2023 FHSAA Softball District Tournaments – 2A District 3	(W) 7 – 1
St. Joseph Academy (St. Augustine, FL)Location: University Christian High School2023 FHSAA Softball State Championships – 2A FHSAA Softball	(W) 13 – 0
North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, FL)Location: University Christian High School2023 FHSAA Softball State Championships – 2A FHSAA Softball	(W) 12 – 1
Providence School (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School2023 FHSAA Softball State Championships – 2A FHSAA Softball	(W) 8 – 3
Foundation Academy (Winter Garden, FL)Location: University Christian High School2023 FHSAA Softball State Championships – 2A FHSAA Softball	(W) 11 – 0
Evangelical Christian (Fort Myers, FL)2023 FHSAA Softball State Championships – 2A FHSAA Softball	(W) 3 – 2

It was a story book ending for Robinson’s team as well, as UC finished their memorable championship season with a 23-2 record. After Head Coach Keith Stroud’s previous squads came up short in 2022, 2021, and 2020, he finally hoisted the championship trophy with his players who’ve played together since middle school.

With several key players returning like Kardatzke who led the team in home runs (7), RBI (50) and hits (43). Also Harris, who led the team in assists, and second in every other major category. Look for UC to run it back for another shot at a consecutive title in 2024.