FHSAA Softball Playoffs Round-Up: Yulee Survives Nassau County Thriller, Paxon and UC Christian Cruise Through

Yulee Edges West Nassau in Tense Seven-Inning Battle

Carmen Overstreet’s sixth-inning home run proved the decisive blow as Yulee (12-11) defeated county rival West Nassau 3-2 in the FHSAA Region 1-3A first round on May 6, marking the second time in barely a week the Hornets had bested the Warriors.

West Nassau (14-12) mounted a final threat in the seventh, loading the bases with the winning run in scoring position. Pitcher Paislie Turner shut the door with a strikeout to seal the win and send Yulee into the May 12 second round.

Kyli Mathis and Kierstin Northern each recorded two hits for the Hornets. Yulee’s reward is a date with top-seeded Wakulla (23-4), which dismantled Wolfson 8-0 behind home runs from Cylie Long, Makenzie Marlow and Parker Stubbs — the War Eagles now boasting 33 team home runs on the season.

Region 1-3A: Paxon Powers Past Suwannee

Paxon’s power game remained on full display as Maleah Rouse and Amaya Hislop hit home runs in an 8-2 win over Suwannee (9-15). Pitcher Kassidy Edwards struck out 12 and added two doubles at the plate for the Golden Eagles (16-7).

Region 1-6A: DeMarcus Dominates for Pace

Reigning Gatorade Player of the Year Hannah DeMarcus struck out 14 in a combined no-hitter as Pace (23-4) shut out Nease 9-0. The Patriots’ eight-run fourth inning, capped by a three-run blast from Gracie Ueberroth, ended any hopes of a Nease comeback. Nease finishes at 11-13.

Region 1-5A: Niceville Blanks Fleming Island

Chloe Bailey struck out 13 in a one-hitter as Niceville (21-7) beat Fleming Island 3-0 in a game moved forward due to weather concerns. Carnley Summerlin drove in two runs for the hosts. Victoria Vazquez managed the lone hit for Fleming Island (14-9).

Region 1-4A: Baker County, Columbia Roll On

Gracie Masterson and Gabriella Gray combined on a no-hitter as Baker County routed Menendez 11-0 in five innings. Mallory Jackson and Baleigh Shields each went 3-for-3, combining for five runs for the Wildcats (23-2).

Baker County next faces Fort Walton Beach (15-12), which edged St. Augustine 3-1 on three doubles from Anna Beyhl. The Yellow Jackets (10-10) survived a seventh-inning St. Augustine rally with the tying run stranded in scoring position.

Top seed Columbia (25-3) wasted no time, racking up 11 first-inning runs on the way to a 14-0 rout of Escambia (9-16). Pitcher Kinley King threw a three-inning no-hitter, while Alannah Lord tripled for the Tigers.

Columbia next meets Panama City Beach Arnold (17-10), which edged Clay 2-1 behind a four-hitter from Ryleigh Pittman. Hayley Sexton’s two-run homer in the fourth proved the difference.

Region 2-3A: Eustis Runs Away from Palatka

Eustis (19-6) detonated a 13-run third inning and went on to a run-rule 14-0 victory over Palatka (14-13). Ella Fleming and Emmy Luke each doubled for the winners.

Region 1-2A: Episcopal, Baldwin and Bolles Advance

Riley Valent hurled a four-hitter as Episcopal defeated visiting Bishop Snyder 6-1. Summer Stearns, Ashten Wolff, Claire Cinnamond and Emily Davidson combined for nine hits atop the order for the Eagles (19-5). Caitlyn Boshell homered for the Cardinals (17-10).

Episcopal will next face Baldwin, which cruised 13-0 in five innings against Trinity Christian (14-8). Jazmine Ramos-Merced homered and doubled, while Lilly Hubbard threw a one-hitter and drove in three runs for Baldwin (20-6).

Bolles (17-8) pulled off a 4-3 upset over highly rated Bozeman (24-5) on a Maggie Stephens squeeze bunt in the seventh inning that scored Molly Eyrick. Madden Lutze pitched a four-hitter and Aleda Cashwell slugged her eighth home run of the season.

Region 2-2A: Montverde Shuts Out Keystone Heights

Florida State commit Missy Odom delivered a four-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts as Montverde Academy ended Keystone Heights’ season 7-0. Colby Reish went 3-for-4 with three RBI for Montverde (19-5). Keystone Heights finishes 11-16.

Region 1-1A: University Christian and Christ’s Church Set Up Rematch

Class 1A’s top-ranked University Christian (17-4) opened the playoffs with a commanding 16-0 win over Rocky Bayou Christian (10-9). Elissa Murdock tripled twice, while Evey Bryant and Ava Surles each drove in three runs.

UC will face Christ’s Church, which avenged a district defeat with a 12-2 win at St. Johns Country Day (11-7). Jadah Stubbs finished a triple shy of the cycle with four RBI, and Kaitlyn Tester added three hits for the Eagles (15-7).

Peniel Baptist (14-9) exited on a 13-2 loss to Tallahassee St. John Paul II (17-8), with Allison Peacock managing the lone hit against St. John Paul II ace Amanda Thompson. Harvest Community (17-10) also fell, losing 15-0 to Tallahassee North Florida Christian, where Skylar Young threw a three-inning no-hitter and hit a grand slam for NFC (19-5).