JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Varsity 4 News4JAX Super 6 softball rankings will be published each Thursday in the regular season. Records are through Feb. 19 games.
Varsity 4 News4JAX softball Super 6
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Rank, school, record, classification
1. Baldwin (1-0, Class 2A)
Notable: The Indians have been the area’s best team the last three regular seasons, going 26-3, 25-5 and 29-2 in 2022-24, respectively, and reaching the state semifinals in each. They’ve got quite a bit of talent returning, including Raven Watson, Kendall North and Jazmine Ramos-Merced. They lost quite a bit of experience to graduation and transfers (Amiyah Jones to Deltona and Chloe Gotto to Bishop Snyder). Tough call between the Indians and Baker County for the top spot, but Baldwin gets the edge.
2. Baker County (0-0, Class 4A)
Notable: The Wildcats went 21-6 and played for the state championship last year, losing in a 1-0 heartbreaker to Eustis. Chloe Woods and Rylee Walker return in the circle and Baleigh Shields is back in the infield. Both were All-News4JAX selections last year. Baker County opened with Yulee but that game wasn’t completed due to a couple of injuries.
3. Middleburg (1-0, Class 5A)
Notable: The Broncos are coming off a 22-5 season and bring big two big bats in Kerra Clarida and KK Hagan, sluggers who combined for 21 homers. Lily Bennett will have the bulk of the role in the pitcher’s circle. Middleburg is the last area public school to win a state championship (2022).
4. Oakleaf (1-0, Class 6A)
Notable: An 18-9 regional semifinalist last season, the Knights bring back an excellent arm in hurler Charlotte Maddox, an All-News4JAX selection last year. Jaydyn Bell is back in the infield and is a .400 candidate at the plate. Oakleaf has an 11-2 win over Providence to start the season.
5. Episcopal (1-0, Class 2A)
Notable: The Eagles have a 7-5 win over Bishop Snyder to open the season. They have the biggest graduation loss in the area in Grace Jones, a three-time All-News4JAX selection and last season’s player of the year who led Episcopal to a 24-5 record. Second teamer Claire Cinnamond returns, with Crissie Clayman and Riley Valent in the circle.
6. Creekside (0-0, Class 7A)
Notable: The Knights went 21-6 last year and return All-News4JAX selection Carly Dall. Replacing dependable hurler Kaylee Martineau will be a challenge but Creekside should again push for best team in St. Johns County honors. This is a young team and perhaps a bit high to start, but Creekside gets the nod ahead of West Nassau and Fleming Island in the first Super 6.
Others
Bishop Kenny (1-0, Class 3A); Bishop Snyder (0-1, Class 2A); Columbia (2-0, Class 4A); Fleming Island (0-0, Class 5A); Fort White (1-1, Rural); Mandarin (0-0, Class 6A); Menendez (1-0, Class 4A); Paxon (0-0, Class 3A); University Christian (1-0, Class 1A); West Nassau (0-0, Class 3A); Yulee (0-0-1, Class 3A).
