Northeast Florida high school softball regional first-round previews - 1A, 5A, 6A, 7A

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.

High school softball regional quarterfinals

7 p.m. Thursday

REGION 1-7A

Creekside (16-9) at Oakleaf (15-7)

This one was a thriller last week, ending on Ciara Gibson's walk-off hit for Oakleaf in the district final. There's plenty of quality hitting in both lineups, including Khloe Banks and Mariyah Sanchez for Oakleaf and Kylie Hammonds and Kendall Catherwood for Creekside. Apopka or Ocala West Port awaits the winner.

REGION 1-6A

Spruce Creek (20-4) at Fletcher (15-9)

It's a senior surge for the Senators, keyed by the battery of Presley Harrell and Emily Perry as well as Megan Batten at second. But they've got a big test in Spruce Creek. Sophomore Julie Kelley is rising rapidly for the Hawks, with a 1.02 ERA and 180 strikeouts. A Senators win means a game against Pace or Lake Howell.

REGION 1-5A

Ponte Vedra (13-12) at Tallahassee Lincoln (15-8)

After an 0-4 start, the Sharks are hitting the ball hard, and Madeline Manuel, Kate Mikle and Sarah Wicker all own double-digit doubles. They'll have to solve Lincoln's Tampa-bound ace Gwendolen McGinnis (13-8, 1.46 ERA), who has struck out more than 600 batters in her high school career.

Ridgeview (14-6) at Gulf Breeze (15-11)

A long trip for the Panthers, only a year removed from the final four. Freshman Lily Bennett is already a consistent starter for Ridgeview, holding opponents to one run or none at all in four of her last five games. Kaylee King is batting .444 with 12 doubles and 21 RBI for Gulf Breeze.

Ocala Vanguard (16-9) at Middleburg (15-11)

Strikeout machine Mallory Forrester is in peak form right now — 88 K's in her last six games, not even including her 21-strikeout nights against Providence and Bartram Trail. Bryanna Curry and Victoria Graham have combined for 31 extra-base hits for Vanguard. If the Broncos win, they would play Milton or Gainesville.

Regional semifinals

7 p.m. Thursday

REGION 3-1A

Mayo Lafayette (13-6) at Fort White (13-7)

Two very familiar opponents, facing off for the fourth time. Fort White leads the season series 2-1, beating the Hornets 5-1 in last week's district semifinal on a 4-for-4 night for senior Kaitlyn Suggs. McKenzie Winburn has a 1.368 OPS for Lafayette.

Union County (17-5) at Madison County (14-9)

Only one week has passed since Madison County defeated the Fightin' Tigers 7-4 in the District 6-1A final, a three-hit game for Kelsie Shea Thompson. Union County hits for contact and knows how to score runs in bunches, and both Angela Tucker and Tamia Young are batting above .400.

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, Thursday