JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Baldwin, Baker County, Episcopal, Providence and University Christian are still standing in the high school softball state playoffs.
The news wasn’t as good for Creekside, Fort White, Middleburg and Oakleaf.
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The Indians, the top-ranked Super 6 team most of the season, set up a much-anticipated showdown with No. 2 Episcopal with a come-from-behind, 6-5 win over Marianna on Tuesday night.
Chloe Gotto had a pair of hits and Shaylen Byrd whiffed nine as Baldwin surged back from a 3-1 deficit with a four-run bottom of the fourth inning and then pushed the eventual winning run across in the bottom of the sixth. The win sets up a regional final rematch against district rival Episcopal. The Eagles (25-3) beat West Nassau 3-1. Episcopal and Baldwin have met in the playoffs each of the last three seasons. Baldwin won in the regional final last year, and in the second round in 2022. Episcopal beat Baldwin in the playoff opener in 2021.
In Region 1-4A, Baker County got a two-hit game including a homer and four RBI from Baleigh Shields to rout South Walton 10-0 in five innings. Mallory Jackson and Brooklyn Davis added two-hit games for the Wildcats (19-5), who travel to top-seeded Wakulla next.
In Region 1-2A, defending state champ University Christian got two homers and six RBI from Kate Del’Alba and 15 Ks from Sophia Kardatzke to beat Trinity Christian 12-3. UC (17-7) will host Providence in the regional finals. The Stallions got a homer and five RBI from Elle Burns and pushed three runs across in the bottom of the eighth to beat North Florida Christian 11-10. Kayleigh Cardona had two doubles and Lorelai Herndon added two hits for Providence.
In Region 1-7A, Lake Brantley ended Creekside’s season with a 10-3 win. In 1-6A, Oakleaf managed just one hit in an 11-0 loss to Hagerty in five innings. In 1-5A, the area’s most potent lineup managed just two hits as Gainesville beat Middleburg 6-0. In 3-1A, Branford scored the only run in the bottom of the seventh to beat Fort White 1-0.
Tuesday’s results
Regional semifinals
Region 1-7A
(2) Lake Brantley 10, (3) Creekside 3
Region 1-6A
(2) Hagerty 11, (3) Oakleaf 0
Region 1-5A
(4) Gainesville 6, (1) Middleburg 0
Region 1-4A
(2) Baker County 10, (6) South Walton 0
Region 1-3A
(1) Baldwin 6, (5) Marianna 5
(2) Episcopal 3, (3) West Nassau 1
Region 1-2A
(1) University Christian 12, (4) Trinity Christian 3
(2) Providence 11, (6) North Florida Christian 10 (8 innings)
Regional finals
Region 3-1A
(1) Branford 1, (2) Fort White 0
Friday’s games
Regional finals
Region 1-4A
(2) Baker County (19-5) at (1) Wakulla (24-3)
Region 1-3A
(2) Episcopal (25-3) at (1) Baldwin (28-1)
Region 1-2A
(2) Providence (11-12) at (1) University Christian (17-7)