Northeast Florida Softball Top 25: Playoffs On Deck Tonight

Baker County (Glen St. Mary, 4A) – The Wildcats ended the season at 19-4, demonstrating consistent play that has shown why they are a consistent force in Northeast Florida. Their wins over top teams like Fort White, Middleburg, Paxon, and Baldwin showcased that consistency at it’s finest. Junior Baleigh Shields contributed significantly with a .533 batting average and 4 home runs. Juniors Sadye Harvey and Chloe Johnson both have 3 home runs on the season. Grace Masterson has 103 strikeouts. Baker County faces Choctaw (5-18) in the first round of the playoffs.

2. Baldwin (2A) – With a 18-7 record, Baldwin had an outstanding season, making them one of the top teams in the area. they were crowned Gateway Conference Champions for the 5th time in a row. Senior Kendall North led the team with a .436 batting average. Jazmine Ramos-Merced had 9 homeruns. Hayden Peebles had 136 strikeouts. The District 3A-3 champions defeated Bishop Snyder 4-0 for the title, adding that to an impressive resume which included wins over Paxon, Atlantic Coast and Middleburg. Baldwin faces Freeport (12-10) in the first round of the playoffs.

3. Middleburg (5A) – Middleburg’s 18-8 season highlighted their competitive edge and championship experience. They won it all in 2022 as state champions, and made it to the playoffs each year after. This year, the Broncos once again will be in the playoffs after defeating Fleming Island 5-4 in the District 5A-2 championship. Senior Kerra Clarida was a key player, hitting .428 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs. KK Hagan has 8 home runs, and Alyssa Prather ha 6 home runs. Morgan Beckham has 136 strikeouts.

4. Matanzas (Palm Coast Fl) 5A The 21-1 Pirates boast the best record in Northeast Florida only losing one game to Palatka. Ashley Sampselle 20 RBI Matanzas has defeated playoff teams like West Nassau, Bartram Trail, and Atlantic Coast in a memorable season. St. Johns River State College commit Juliet Fogel’s 3 home runs, 23 RBIs and 0467 batting average leads the team. Her sister Ruby Fogel has 13 RBI and 25 hits on the year. Leah Stevens has been the best pitcher in the area with 204 strikeouts. The UF softball commit has a 15-0 record and an amazing .040 ERA. Matanzas is hard to beat with pitching like that. Ponte Vedra (14-10) will try in the first round of the playoffs.

5. Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville, 7A) – The Atlantic coast Stingrays have navigated an impressive 22-5 record this season. They won a wild District 7A-1 championship against Creekside 19-18 in 8 innings. Their stellar season has been highlighted by a 15-game winning streak, and key victories over top programs like Bishop Kenny, Sandalwood, and Flagler Palm Coast. Freshman standouts Skye Deans, Lily Maguire (3 HRs), and Stella Lynton have each maintained batting averages over .409, while sophomore Morgan Brown leads with a .421 average and 117 strikeouts at pitcher. They welcome Apopka (21-5) in the first round of the playoffs.

6. Episcopal (Jacksonville, 2A) – The Eagles have had an outstanding 2025 season, finishing with a 21-5 record and clinching the top spot in their district defeating Providence 13-2. Leading the charge in 2024 was senior pitcher Grace Jones, who delivered a remarkable performance with a 0.69 ERA, 343 strikeouts, and 21 wins . At the plate, Jones was equally impressive, boasting a .611 batting average and 11 home runs. This year Amelia Oreair leads the team with 7 home runs and a 0.469 batting average. Riley Valent hit 4 home runs and has struck out 167 batters. Junior outfielder Claire Cinnamond also made significant contributions, hitting .325 with 25 hits and maintaining a perfect fielding percentage . Under the seasoned leadership of Coach Kasse Eppley, the Eagles advanced to the playoffs and defeated Bishop Snyder 7-0. They improved to an impressive 22-5 and await the winner of Baldwin vs Freeport.

7. Paxon (Jacksonville, 3A) – Freshman Maleah Rouse’s 9 home runs and 0.543 batting average. Sophomore Kassidy Edward’s 4 home runs and 0.433 batting average have led Paxon on a memorable campaign this year. Senior Hayley Hinds 157 strikeouts helped Paxon achieve a District 4A-2 championship after downing West Nassau 5-2. At 17-5, coach Steve Brown looks to make some noise with his young playmakers in the playoffs beginning with South Walton (10-12)

8. Creekside (St. Johns, 7A) – Finishing the regular season with a 19-4 record under the leadership of head coach Neil Luciano, the Knights showcased outstanding chemistry and determination. Junior Presley Brinkley leads the team with 7 homee runs. Carly Dall has knocked five out of the park while also striking out 52 batters. Hailey Cunningham has 20 RBIs and 4 home runs on the season. Senior Arianna Carrigan pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits in a 5-1 win over tough teams like Nease. The team’s back-to-back playoff appearances gives them a major advantage which marks their third consecutive trip to the post season. Creekside face Spruce Creek in the first round.

9. University Christian (Jacksonville, 1A) – UC had an impressive 2025 season, finishing with a 16-4 record, and building off their 2023 Class 2A state championship. The team showcased dominance with a 16-0 victory over Harvest Community to clinch the district championship . Key players included senior outfielder Madison Delvalle, senior pitcher/second baseman Alyssa Smith, and junior shortstop/outfielder Elissa Murdock . Dixie Tessier leads the team with 2 home runs and 132 strikeouts. Their strong performance positions them as formidable contenders in the state playoffs. They face Rocky Bayou Christian (10-6).

10. Fleming Island ( 5A) – Fleming Island concluded the 2025 season with a commendable 15-7 record, highlighted by a dominant 19-2 victory over Providence School. Senior first baseman Olivia Sikes led the offense with a .558 batting average and a .588 on-base percentage, while senior third baseman Emily Massey contributed three home runs,100 career hits for senior Liv Sikes. Freshman pitcher Emily William anchored the defense with a 2.30 ERA. Despite a narrow 5-4 loss to Middleburg in the district semifinals, the team showcased resilience and talent throughout the season. Senior Mallory Blackwell contributed as a pitcher with 81 strikeouts. They’ll need her best against Chiles in the playoffs.

11. Bartram Trail (St. Johns, 6A) – The Bartram Trail Bears season ended with a 15-11 record, showcasing resilience and competitive spirit. Notable victories included a 6-1 win over Buchholz and a commanding 11-0 shutout against Beachside . Senior Lucie McDonald led the team with 5 home runs and 30 RBI. Hailey Allen led the offense with 39 hits and a perfect on-base percentage in key games, while sophomore Natalee DePalma contributed significantly both at bat and in the field. Freshman Rommeney Patrey also made her mark with impressive performances on the mound (160 strikeouts). The team’s balanced roster and determination will be a must against Oakleaf in the playoffs.

12. Fort White (1A) – The Fort White High School softball team achieved a 17-6 record in 2025, ranking sixth in Florida’s Rural Division. Senior pitcher Kadence Compton led with a .412 batting average and 21 hits. Freshman Khloe Kirby contributed a .316 average and a .995 fielding percentage. Senior Morgan Kelly added 19 hits and 18 runs. Fort White has a rematch against Branford (19-6) in the first round of the playoffs, falling to them last week 3-1 in the district 1A-6 tournament.

13. West Nassau (Callahan, 3A) – After a 12–11 record, and securing a 2–1 district performance, West Nassau will face Paxon in the first round of the playoffs. Sophomore Makenna Cripps led the offense with a perfect 1.000 batting average and on-base percentage, while sophomore Laikyn Carter anchored the defense with a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage. Teagan Harter led the team with 2 home runs and 17 RBIs. It was a committee at the plate for the Warriors.

14. Oakleaf (Orange Park, 6A) – With an 11–12 record, ranking 14th in the Jacksonville area . Senior pitcher Charlotte Maddox led the team, delivering a standout performance with 10 strikeouts over eight innings in a 2–1 district tournament win against Tocoi Creek. She struck out 18 batters, allowed just one earned run over 11 2/3 innings pitched, and registered 27 hits at the plate. Seniors Jaydyn Beall (36 hits) and Avery Garcia (22 hits) have connected with their bats this year. They will face Bartram Trail in the first round of the playoffs at home after winning their district against Buchholz 7-0.

15. Yulee (3A) Hornets softball team concluded the 2025 season with a 13-9 record, boasting standout performances from Brooklyn Sawyer with a 0.985 fielding percentage. Ashlyn Soller (.560 OBP), Samantha Joiner with 4 home runs to lead the team (.614 SLG), and pitcher Kyleigh Golden who has 52 strikeouts (0.625 win-loss percentage) . Their next playoff opponent is West Florida on May 7, 2025 .

16. Fletcher (Neptune Beach, 6A) – The Senators went 12-9 on the regular season and were crowned district champions defeating Nease 7-6. Senior Tiffany Semack and junior Monike Priebe were key contributors throughout the season. Senior standout Emily Clapp delivered strong performances throughout the season, while Madison Rodriguez contributed significantly, including a home run against Nease. Fletcher travels to Pace (20-3) in round one of the playoffs.

17. Ponte Vedra (5A)– The Sharks softball team concluded the 2025 season with a 14–10 record. Junior Nadia Campbell and Senior Maya Wiles led the team in fielding with several double plays. While junior Aoife Weaver contributed 25 runs and 22 RBIs . Not to mention she struck out 67 batters on the mound. The Sharks are set to face Matanzas in the playoffs on May 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM

18. Columbia (Lake City, 4A) – Improved to a 15–11 overall record after defeating Escambia 16-0 in the first round of the Class 4 A playoffs. On the year Josie Raulerson hit 6 home runs, Kimber Long hit 4 home runs, and Harleigh Price hit 3 home runs and had 110 strikeouts on the mound. average in the district tournament opener against Riverside . The Tigers secured a decisive 21–0 victory over Riverside in the 2025 FHSAA District 4A-3 tournament before falling to district champions Baker County. They still secured a playoff spot and will await the winner between Menendez vs Fort Walton Beach.

19. Union County (Rural)- Mackenzie Orton hit 3 home runs on the years, while, Leanne Dicks drove in 27 runs to compliment Courtney Manning’s 26 RBIs as the Tigers took care of business in the regular season to advance to the playoffs with a 17-8 record. Though they fell to Branford in the district tournament, they visit 18-1 Madison County in the first round of the playoffs.

20. Clay (Green Cove Springs, 4A) The Clay High School Blue Devils softball team, concluded the 2025 season with a 15–10 overall record and a perfect 2–0 in district play to be crowned champions. Slugger Kaelye Rouw has 5 home runs on the season. Amiah Carrubba has 28 hits. Senior Hailie Miera is one of the leaders on the team with a .365 batting average and a .494 on-base percentage. Freshman Hailey Hackett has contributed in many ways as she is an up and coming star.. Freshman pitcher Sadie Russo anchored the pitching staff with a 3.12 ERA and 94 KOs . The Blue Devils advanced in the playoffs with a 14–10 victory over Menendez, and face Arnold (17-8) in the first round.

21. Bishop Kenny 3A (11-15)- Crusaders softball team concluded the 2025 season with an 11–15 record and district champions. Senior Abby Satkoff and junior Abby Jackson were standout players, each achieving a .667 batting average in the March 28 game against Venice . The Crusaders are set to face Wakulla High School in the 3A FHSAA Softball State playoffs on May 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM

22. Menendez (St. Augustine, 4A) The Falcons softball team from St. Augustine, Florida, concluded the 2025 season with a 10–12 record. Junior standout Rylan Degrande led the team with 6 home runs, a .424 batting average and 23 RBIs, while Senior pitcher Madelyn Brown posted a 7.48 ERA with 92 strikeouts. The Falcons fell to Clay in an 8 inning battle in the district tournament, however they still hada good seaso nwith wins over teams like St. Augustine, Bolles and Beachside. They are set to face Fort Walton Beach in the upcoming first round playoff game.

23. Harvest Community 1A (21-6)– The Harvest Community School Warriors softball team from Jacksonville, Florida, concluded the 2025 season with a 7–10 record. With wins over playoff teams St. Joseph’s Academy and Christ’s Church Academy. Senior standout Marley Elliott led the team with 5 home runs, a .486 batting average and 36 RBIs. Julia Foti pitched in with 4 home runs on the year. While 7th grade sensation pitcher Naomi Winburn posted a 4.62 ERA with 74 strikeouts. The Warriors are set to face Penial Baptist Academy (19-6) in the upcoming playoff game

24. Christ’s Church 1A (13-7)– The Christ’s Church Eagles softball team concluded the 2025 season with a 13–7 record, including a 9-game winning streak over tea,s like St. Josephs’ Academy and Wolfson. Standout players included Ella Springer (3HR), Madison Rutherford (36 strikeouts) and Rylee Dynesius 32 strikeouts who contributed significantly to the team’s success. The Eagles are set to face North Florida Christian in the 1A FHSAA Softball.

25. St. Josephs Academy 1 A (12-5)– The St. Joseph Academy Flashes softball team from St. Augustine, Florida, concluded the 2025 season with a 12–5 overall record and a 2–0 mark in district play . Their season featured a dominant 19–3 victory over St. Augustine High School on February 21 . The Flashes are set to face St. John Paul II (11-12) in the upcoming 1A FHSAA Softball State playoffs.

Just missed the playoffs: Tocoi Creek 14-10, Beachside 14-10, Bishop Snyder 14-10(fell to Episcopal 7-0 Class 2A Regional quarterfinals)

Playoffs Brackets

Rural