JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida High School Athletic Association unveiled its softball playoff bracket on Saturday morning, with state championship contenders Baldwin, Middleburg and University Christian all earning No. 1 seeds in their regions.
Baldwin (26-1) has been the top-ranked team in the News4JAX Super 6 most of the season and will attempt to reach the state final four for the third consecutive season. The Indians are the No. 1 seed in the loaded Region 1-3A and open the postseason with Palatka. Looming large is a potential regional final rematch with No. 2 Episcopal (23-3). Baldwin beat the Eagles 2-1 in eight innings to win the district title.
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Middleburg, the No. 3 team in the Super 6, headlines Region 1-5A. The Broncos (21-4) open up with Columbia (13-11) on Thursday night. Middleburg won the Class 5A state championship in 2022. The Broncos have one of the most lethal lineups around with Kerra Clarida leading the way with 13 of the team’s 31 homers. Kaelyn Hagan has belted eight and Alyssa Prather has six homers.
In Region 1-2A, University Christian opens defense of its state championship as the No. 1 seed in Region 1-2A. UC (15-7) and reigning All-News4JAX player of the year Sophia Kardatzke face St. Joseph in the opener and should have a relatively clear path to the state semifinals.
Softball
Regional quarterfinals
Thursday’s games
Region 1-7A
(8) Mandarin (15-8) at (1) Spruce Creek (19-3)
(6) Timber Creek (18-7) at (3) Creekside (20-5)
Region 1-6A
(6) Lake Howell (14-9) at (3) Oakleaf (17-8)
Region 1-5A
(8) Columbia (13-11) at (1) Middleburg (21-4)
(7) Fleming Island (19-7) at (2) Fort Walton Beach (17-10)
(6) Matanzas (19-4) at (3) Gulf Breeze (14-9)
Regional semifinals
Region 3-1A
(3) Madison County (16-10) at (2) Fort White (12-5)
Wednesday’s games
Region 1-4A
(8) Menendez (15-6) at (1) Wakulla (22-3)
(5) Paxon (15-9) at (4) West Florida (16-11)
(7) Yulee (17-6) at (2) Baker County (17-5)
Region 1-3A
(8) Palatka (11-15) at (1) Baldwin (26-1)
(7) Keystone Heights (12-12) at (2) Episcopal (23-3)
(3) West Nassau (16-8) at (6) Suwannee (16-10)
Region 1-2A
(8) St. Joseph (7-9) at (1) University Christian (15-7)
(5) St. Johns Country Day (11-5) at (4) Trinity Christian (8-12)
(2) Providence (9-12) at (7) Countryside Christian (9-4)