Northeast Florida high school softball regional first round previews - 2A, 3A, 4A
The Florida High School Athletic Association begins the first round of high school softball playoffs across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. This is the first step on the road to the 2022 state championships, scheduled from May 24-28 at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont. Episcopal, Ridgeview and University Christian reached the final four from Northeast Florida last year. Playing schedules are subject to change.
Regional quarterfinals
7 p.m. Wednesday unless noted
REGION 1-4A
Clay (14-11) at Baker County (12-11)
Baker County ace Madison Lagle is coming off a four-hitter, and when she's in a rhythm, the South Alabama commit can be overpowering in the circle. The Wildcats have weathered a punishing schedule. Sydney Davis bats .452 for the Blue Devils, fighting off a three-game losing skid.
Wakulla (14-9) at Yulee (14-12)
Young but resilient, Yulee leans on the leadership of Coastal Carolina signee Annelisa Winebarger behind the plate. Victoria Dichio and Charley Butler combine in the circle for Wakulla, which has had struggles at the plate with a .245 team batting average.
Bishop Kenny (15-9) at Pensacola West Florida (14-10)
A long road trip for the Crusaders. Caroline Orum and Alleana De Leon supply the extra-base punch on the long westward journey for Bishop Kenny. Jaguars sophomore Sydney Scapin is a top Panhandle ace, with a 1.13 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 105 2/3 innings.
Paxon (12-10) vs. Matanzas (14-9)
Fast becoming a perennial playoff team, Paxon lines up with one of the Gateway Conference's top two-way threats in sophomore Mackenzie Pitzer. The Golden Eagles must contend with the devastating bat of Matanzas senior Emma Wood (.642, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 1.736 OPS). This game will be played at Daytona State College instead of the Matanzas campus.
Full softball stats: Northeast Florida year-end statistics leaders
REGION 1-3A
Episcopal (14-7) at Baldwin (23-2)
A solid round-one matchup and rematch of last year's playoffs, a victory for the Eagles. Episcopal brings the powerful arm of Grace Jones (13-6, 1.00, 243 K; .544, 13 doubles) against Baldwin's deep and relentless lineup with Cali Hartung, Kendall North, Jazmine Ramos-Merced and many more. The winner plays Florida High or North Bay Haven.
Marianna (17-5) at Providence (18-6)
Teams on opposite tracks: Marianna has lost three straight, while Providence might be Jacksonville's hottest team with nine consecutive wins. Kayla Burmeister, Ella Roberson and Zoe Yaeger power a potent Stallions lineup. But Marianna includes big power from Amari Brown (.472, 9 HR, 35 RBI) and Angel Curry (.482, 8 HR, 25 RBI).
West Nassau (16-7) at Keystone Heights (17-9)
A quality matchup, and a rematch of the 2018 state semifinals. Keystone won a 1-0 pitchers' duel on April 21, a two-hit shutout for Madi Mitzel. Reese Green, Trinity Armstrong and Sydney English are always tough to retire at the top of the West Nassau batting order, and Peyton Bass has emerged as a consistent arm for the Warriors.
REGION 1-2A
Quincy Munroe (14-7) at Trinity Christian (12-8)
Minnesota signee Breezy Burnett and Carolyn Lasater lead a Conquerors squad that's younger this year but still very dangerous. Freshman Gabrielle Hughes is the star for the Bobcats, both at the plate (.672, 14 2B, 35 RBI) and in the circle (10-6, 3.19 ERA, 189 K).
St. Johns Country Day (12-4) at Peniel Baptist (12-12)
Peniel relies on hard-hitting Lexi Peacock (.448, 3 HR) and Nevaeh Escoffier (.381, 5 HR) in high-scoring contests. St. Johns has already won this matchup twice this year, 14-4 and 9-1, with two doubles and a triple by Kylie Shannon.
Wakulla Christian (15-7) at University Christian (15-8), 6:30 p.m.
The records may look similar, but 2021 state runner-up UC has played a far tougher schedule and looks to unleash slugger Sophia Kardatzke (.581, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 2.122 OPS) against a Wakulla Christian staff with an ERA of 4.50. The winner meets Tallahassee North Florida Christian or Aucilla Christian.
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 softball: 2022 Jacksonville first-round playoff previews, Wednesday
