Spring sports Power Polls: Northeast Florida's top 5 in baseball and softball, April 24
BASEBALL
The Times-Union highlights the top teams across high school baseball for teams in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida through April 23 in the 2023 FHSAA season.
1. Providence
19-4, Class 3A
Previous: 2.
Last week: Won 7-0 vs. Clay, won at Menendez.
This week: Tuesday vs. Riverside, Thursday at Episcopal.
Glance: Liam O'Neil's return to the lineup has added big-time punch to Stallions; he's packing a 1.654 OPS.
2. St. Johns Country Day
18-4, Class 2A
Previous: 3.
Last week: Won 11-6 at Trinity Christian, won 4-3 at Atlantic Coast, won 17-0 vs. Baldwin.
This week: Tuesday vs. Bishop Kenny, Wednesday vs. Creekside, Thursday at Bolles.
Glance: With patience and power, leadoff batter Kody Daneault has been on fire at the plate for last two weeks.
3. Trinity Christian
19-4, Class 3A
Previous: 1.
Last week: Lost 11-6 vs. St. Johns Country Day, won 6-0 vs. Oakleaf, won 5-1 at Bolles.
This week: Tuesday at Eustis, Friday vs. Baldwin.
Glance: On freshman-laden team, senior Ashton Nugent came through this week with three extra-base hits.
4. Fernandina Beach
19-3, Class 3A
Previous: 5 (tie).
Last week: Won 12-0 at Episcopal, won 10-0 vs. Ponte Vedra, won 10-0 vs. Keystone Heights.
This week: Wednesday at Stanton.
Glance: Just how hot are the Pirates? They've won 17 straight and haven't allowed a run for 25 innings.
5. Sandalwood
17-4, Class 7A
Previous: Not ranked.
Last week: Won 3-2 vs. Englewood, won 7-1 vs. Fletcher, won 12-1 vs. Wolfson.
This week: Tuesday at Mandarin, Thursday at Columbia.
Glance: Pitching aces Tanner Reed and Cooper Whited starred at plate to bring home Gateway Conference title.
On the bubble: Baker County (17-6, 4A), Bolles (12-10, 3A), Clay (17-5, 5A), Columbia (19-4, 5A), Creekside (16-6, 7A), Fleming Island (15-6, 6A), Oakleaf (17-5, 6A), Ridgeview (16-6, 5A), Union County (15-6, 1A), Wolfson (17-4, 3A).
'Special to watch': Sandalwood ends Gateway Conference baseball wait, tops Wolfson
Balanced Ponte Vedra boys lacrosse chomps to first-round playoff win
National champions: Bartram Trail girls top 2022-23 United Soccer Coaches winter rankings
First Coast Varsity Weekly: Charlsea Clark makes history at Atlantic Coast boys basketball
SOFTBALL
The Times-Union highlights the top teams across high school softball for teams in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida through April 23 in the 2023 FHSAA season.
1. University Christian
14-2, Class 2A
Previous: 3.
Last week: Won 6-1 vs. West Nassau, won 10-3 vs. Baldwin.
This week: Monday at West Nassau, Tuesday at Palatka, Friday vs. Keystone Heights.
Glance: UC's last four wins: Baker County, Creekside, West Nassau, Baldwin. Sophia Kardatzke (.698, 5 HR, 36 RBI) and Co. can beat the best.
2. Episcopal
18-2, Class 3A
Previous: 1.
Last week: Lost 3-0 at Providence, won 5-4 at Ponte Vedra, won 6-5 vs. First Coast.
This week: Monday vs. Baker County, Tuesday at Fletcher, Thursday at Creekside.
Glance: Batting numbers remain in the stratosphere for Grace Jones, hitting .609 with nine doubles, six triples, five homers.
3. Baldwin
17-4, Class 3A
Previous: 2.
Last week: Lost 3-2 at Oakleaf, lost 10-3 at University Christian, won 4-3 at Keystone Heights.
This week: Tuesday at West Nassau, Wednesday vs. Bishop Snyder, Thursday at Bartram Trail.
Glance: Loss to UC was Baldwin's first against Duval County opposition since May 2021.
4. West Nassau
14-6, Class 3A
Previous: 4.
Last week: Lost 6-1 at University Christian, won 4-3 at Oakleaf, won 5-1 at Hilliard.
This week: Monday vs. University Christian, Tuesday vs. Baldwin, Thursday at Paxon.
Glance: Warriors' Reese Green has extra-base hits in three straight games.
5. Providence
15-4, Class 2A
Previous: Not ranked.
Last week: Won 3-0 vs. Episcopal, won 16-7 at Matanzas, won 2-1 vs. Mandarin.
This week: Monday vs. Clay, Friday vs. Hilliard.
Glance: Welcome to the 500-strikeout club for Joey Trawick, who pitched a one-hit shutout against Episcopal.
On the bubble: Baker County (13-9, 4A), Clay (11-7, 5A), Columbia (14-5, 5A), Creekside (16-6, 7A), Hilliard (10-5, 1A), Middleburg (12-9, 5A), Paxon (14-6, 4A), Ponte Vedra (14-5, 6A), Ridgeview (13-6, 5A).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school baseball, softball: Jacksonville power rankings, April 24
