Northeast Florida high school baseball first-round playoff previews (2A, 3A, 4A)

The Florida High School Athletic Association begins the first round of high school baseball playoffs across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. In 2022, playoffs are staggered across different days and different classes, leading to a span of more than a week of state championships from May 18-21 and May 23-25 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. Bolles, Fleming Island and St. Johns Country Day reached the final four from Northeast Florida last year. Playing schedules are subject to change.

Regional quarterfinals

7 p.m. Wednesday

REGION 1-4A

Baker County (13-12) at Suwannee (21-4)

This could be a special year for Suwannee, entering No. 1 in Class 4A statewide. Winners of their last 12, the Bulldogs have already beaten Baker County 10-1 this year in a big night for senior Peyton Waters. Baker County's Jamil Jones is batting .373 with five triples to go with his 10 football interceptions.

Clay (17-10) at Alachua Santa Fe (20-6)

These two have played some classics of late — Clay won 5-4 in 14 innings last year, Santa Fe won 2-1 in nine this April. Tyler Mills and Max Williams lead the Blue Devils' long-ball brigade, a team that's combined for 22 home runs this season. For Santa Fe, Devan Mitchum (.386) and Devante Mitchum (.366) form a potent one-two combination.

South Walton (14-10) at Bishop Kenny (19-6)

Red-hot. The Crusaders have won 10 in a row, including wins over Clay and St. Johns Country Day, and Garrett Corbett (7-0, 1.21) is a force on the mound. Ronan Fowler is batting .433 with six doubles for South Walton. If the Crusaders win, they'll meet Wakulla or Panama City Beach Arnold.

REGION 1-3A

Fernandina Beach (14-9) at Bishop Snyder (16-4)

A first-time district champion, Bishop Snyder defeated the Pirates 9-1 in the season opener, but Sean Benjamin's five-RBI night led Fernandina Beach in an 11-5 win in March. Nick Wrubluski and Sebastian Ortiz star at the plate for the Cardinals. The winner plays Ocala Trinity Catholic or Pensacola Catholic.

Providence (14-12) at Episcopal (17-10)

A big-time rematch, after the Eagles rallied with seven runs in the seventh to top Providence in a back-and-forth district championship game. Providence's Nove Masci and Episcopal's Hayden Perry are among the extra-base threats in action. The victor would get The Villages or Florida High in the next round.

REGION 1-2A

Tallahassee St. John Paul II (13-8) at St. Johns Country Day (21-4)

The start of a championship march? Bradley Hodges, Jordan Taylor and the top-seeded Spartans begin their playoff quest against a Panthers squad with a team ERA of 5.71. St. Johns reached the Class 2A final last year and reached the title game at the National High School Invitational.

Trinity Christian (19-8) at St. Joseph (10-16)

Perennial contender Trinity opens the postseason on the road, with a rising pitching staff that's got youth (eighth-grader Brayden Harris) and experience (senior Brady Ellison). Logan Dantzler and Ashton Nugent each doubled twice when the Conquerors downed St. Joseph 16-6 in April. Evan Rodriguez (.365, 5 HR) energizes a St. Joseph team that's gotten hot just in time for the games that matter most.

Wakulla Christian (18-2) at University Christian (21-6)

Brady Wright, Trenten May and UC are on a roll entering postseason, winning seven straight. William Pell has a 1.329 OPS for Wakulla Christian, which averages 12 runs per game. The winner meets Gainesville Oak Hall or Tallahassee North Florida Christian next.

Clayton Freeman covers high school sports and more for the Florida Times-Union. Follow him on Twitter at @CFreemanJAX.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school baseball: 2022 Jacksonville first-round playoff previews Wednesday