JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The News4JAX Super 6 softball rankings will be published each Thursday through the end of the regular season with the exception of March 16. Results are through March 1 games.
News4JAX Super 6 softball rankings
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Rank School, Record, Classification
1. Baldwin (3-0, Class 3A)
Notable wins: Baker County, Fort White, Palatka.
Glance: The Indians were the No. 1 team in the Super 6 most of the 2022 season. Baldwin reached the state semifinals before an extra-inning loss to Calvary Christian. The good news is that Baldwin always has an assortment of young players getting reps in seasons like the last one. Cali Hartung, Jazmine Ramos-Merced and Kendall North were regulars who hit no worse than .370 and combined for seven homers. A big hole is the graduation loss of pitcher Piper Young, but Baldwin and coach Jennifer Shields will try and keep things rolling.
2. Episcopal (4-0, Class 3A)
Notable wins: Bartram Trail, Bishop Kenny, Paxon.
Glance: Excellent start for the Eagles, with quality Ws over Paxon (2-0), Kenny (1-0) and Bartram (9-1) highlighting the fast open. West Orange (Saturday), Fernandina Beach (Monday) and Clay (Tuesday) are up next for the Eagles. All-News4JAX first-team selection Grace Jones (.643, 2 HR, 5 RBI) has been dominant for Episcopal. She’s whiffed 68 in 26 innings and has yet to allow an earned run.
3. West Nassau (1-0, Class 3A
Notable win: Providence.
Glance: Just one game for the Warriors and it was a quality one, a 5-1 victory over Providence. The Warriors are always one of the area’s toughest teams. West Nassau went 16-8 last year and returns big-time players in Reese Green, Sydney English and Peyton Bass. They’ve got Baker County and Ridgeview, both difficult tests, on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
4. Providence (3-1, Class 2A)
Notable wins: Oakleaf, Spruce Creek.
Glance: One loss for the Stallions, a 5-1 game against an always tough West Nassau. They also have Ws over Oakleaf (8-4) and First Coast (5-1), but the most impressive may have been the 3-1 victory over Spruce Creek on Monday. Watch out for slugger Zoe Yaeger (.500, 2 HR) and hurler Joey Trawick (24 Ks in 21 IP), seniors who are capable of changing games. Trawick was a first-team All-News4JAX selection last year and Yaeger was a second-teamer.
5. University Christian (2-0, Class 2A)
Notable win: Middleburg.
Glance: The 2A state runner-up last season, UC returns a massive playmaker in pitcher and two-time All-News4JAX selection Sophia Kardatzke. She is a monster in the pitcher’s circle and a masher at the plate. She’s got two homers and two doubles in four at bats this season. The Christians also return impact players like Macie Bourgholtzer, Kate Dell’alba and Jaleigha Harris. UC has shed some of the lightweights from its schedule from years past, a good thing for a team with state championship expectations. After knocking at the door of a title, could this be the year UC gets it?
6. Ponte Vedra (4-0, Class 5A)
Notable wins: First Coast, Ridgeview.
Glance: Great start for the Sharks, who have romped by a combined score of 25-0 in their four games. Ponte Vedra was 13-13 a season ago. Caiden Oliva (.462), Madeline Prosser (.400) and Kate Mikle (.400) have led the Sharks at the plate. Sarah Wicker (3-0, 26 Ks, 21 IP) has led Ponte Vedra in the pitcher’s circle. First rankings are always so difficult to judge. The Sharks get the edge this week over Clay and exceptional two-way star Gabrielle Ellis.
Others
Baker County (3-1, Class 4A); Bartram Trail (0-1, Class 7A); Clay (4-0, Class 5A); Creekside (3-0, Class 7A); Fernandina Beach (4-0, Class 3A); Fort White (2-1, Class 1A); Hilliard (3-0, Class 1A); Matanzas (3-0, Class 5A); Middleburg (2-2, Class 5A); Oakleaf (1-1, Class 6A); Paxon (3-1, Class 4A); Ridgeview (3-1, Class 5A).