Here’s a look at how all the regionally ranked baseball teams fared through the FHSAA regionals and state tournament playoffs. The final regional rankings of the season will be released on Sunday, May 28.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters. It is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.
PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2016 BASEBALL POLL #10
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, final record through 5/21 and how they fared in playoffs)
1. Bolles (Jacksonville) (5A) (7) (28-3) – CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONS – d. Monsignor Pace (Miami) 1-0 (9 innings) in 5A state championship game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (Thurs.), d. Melbourne Central Catholic 5-0 in 5A state semifinal in Fort Myers (Wed.), won at Rutherford (Panama City) 4-0 in Region 1-5A final (5/10), d. #16 Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) 9-0 in Region 1-5A semifinal (5/3), d. Yulee 11-1 (6 innings) in Region 1-5A quarterfinal (4/27) – Bulldogs won 7th state baseball title and first since 2010 while allowing only one run in five regional and state tournament games. Bolles has been #1 in Prep Zone regional poll most of the season and also top team in 5A for The PrepZone.com state baseball poll heading into postseason. Freshman Hunter Barco pitched a complete game five-hit shutout in state semifinal win over Melbourne Central Catholic. In state championship game, senior Hamp Skinner pitched seven shutout innings but the game was scoreless until Jonathan Dewane’s walkoff bunt single won the game in the 9th. Bolles is only second team in Duval County to win baseball and boys basketball title in same year (Arlington Country Day, 2006).
2. University (Orange City) (9A) (1) (24-4-1) – LOST to eventual 9A state semifinalist West Orange (Winter Garden) 3-0 in Region 1-9A final (5/10), d. #5 Spruce Creek (Port Orange) 5-3 in Region 1-9A semifinal (5/3), d. Mandarin (Jacksonville) 10-0 (5 innings) in Region 1-9A quarterfinal (4/27) – Titans were 8A state runner-up in 2015, and rolled through regular season behind ace pitcher Logan Allen. University captured District 2-9A title over rival Spruce Creek and won first two regional playoff games before being eliminated by West Orange in regional final. Game was moved to Stetson’s home field, Conrad Park in DeLand, and drew 1,500 fans.
3. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (4A) (23-6) – LOST to eventual 4A state semfinalist #7 Providence (Jacksonville) 5-1 in Region 1-4A final (5/3), d. Taylor County (Perry) 8-1 in Region 1-4A semifinal (4/28) – Defending 4A state champion Conquerors finished with good regular season record and defeated Providence in regular season and also in District 2-4A championship game. But Trinity Christian couldn’t beat the Stallions a third time, and Conquerors season ended in regional final.
4. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (25-6) – CLASS 7A STATE SEMIFINALIST – LOST to eventual 7A state runner-up Venice 3-2 in 7A state semifinal at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (Thurs.), d. Tate (Cantonment) 6-2 in Region 1-7A final (5/10), won at Columbia (Lake City) 7-0 in Region 1-7A semifinal (5/3), d. Middleburg 10-0 (5 innings) in Region 1-7A quarterfinal (4/27) – Knights defeated rival Bartram Trail (St. Johns) and Nease (Ponte Vedra) in District 4-7A championship game and rolled through three regional opponents by combined 23-2. Creekside advanced to third state semifinal appearance in four years but lost for third time in semifinal game, this time a close one-run decision to defending 2015 6A state champion and this season’s 7A state runner-up Venice.
5. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (9A) (23-6) – LOST to #2 University (Orange City) 5-3 in Region 1-9A semifinal (5/3), won at Sandalwood (Jacksonville) 6-4 in Region 1-9A quarterfinal (4/27) – Hawks dropped District 2-9A championship game to University, sending them on road for regional playoffs. Spruce Creek won opening round game in Jacksonville against Sandalwood but once again lost to 2015 8A state runner-up University, who dropped regional final in DeLand to West Orange.
6. Terry Parker (Jacksonville) (6A) (25-4) – LOST to eventual 6A state runner-up Mosley (Lynn Haven) 5-1 in Region 1-6A final (5/10), d. #17 Ridgeview (Orange Park) 10-9 in Region 1-6A semifinal (5/3), d. Clay (Green Cove Springs) 3-2 in Region 1-6A quarterfinal (4/27) – Braves won first district title since 2000 when they defeated Stanton in District 3-6A championship. After slipping past Clay in first round, Terry Parker scored five runs in their last at bat in bottom of 7th to win thrilling regional semifinal game against Ridgeview. Braves were eliminated in regional final at home by 2015 5A state runner-up Mosley, who advanced to 6A championship game this year. This was longest playoff run for Terry Parker since regional final appearance in 2005.
7. Providence (Jacksonville) (4A) (23-7) – CLASS 4A STATE SEMIFINALIST – LOST to eventual 4A state runner-up Bishop Verot (Fort Myers) 3-1 in 4A state semifinal game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (5/13), won at #3 Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 5-1 in Region 1-4A final (5/3), won at Pensacola Catholic 5-4 in Region 1-4A semifinal (4/27) – Stallions dropped two games to defending 4A state champion Trinity Christian, 3-1 in regular season and 2-1 in District 2-4A championship game. Providence made long trip to Panhandle to edge Pensacola Catholic in regional semifinal and knocked off Trinity Christian in regional final to advance to first state semifinal since 2013. Errors cost Stallions in state semifinal game, as Bishop Verot scored two runs in 6th to win 3-1 to advance to state championship game.
8. Forest (Ocala) (8A) (22-9) – CLASS 8A STATE SEMIFINALIST – LOST to eventual 8A state runner-up Hagerty (Oviedo) 19-16 (12 innings) in 8A state semifinal game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (Fri.), won at #9 Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) 3-0 in Region 1-8A final (5/10), won at Strawberry Crest (Dover) 7-3 in Region 1-8A semifinal (5/3), won at Wharton (Tampa) 4-0 in Region 1-8A quarterfinal (4/27) – Wildcats were road warriors in advancing to second consecutive state semifinal appearance. Forest dropped District 3-8A championship game to Lake Minneola, sending them to Tampa to play Wharton in first round. Florida signee Kirby McMullen threw shutout and hit three run homer in first-round win, then pitched another complete game against another Tampa-area school, Strawberry Crest, in regional semifinal. Wildcats then went to Jacksonville for regional final, where McMullen threw another shutout to beat Atlantic Coast and advance back to Fort Myers. Forest held 10-1 lead over Hagerty in state semifinal game, but gave up 12-run inning that included a four-hour weather delay. Wildcats rallied to tie game at 13-13 and also scored three runs in bottom of 8th after being down to their last strike to tie game again at 16-16. Hagerty finally put three runs across in 12th to win 19-16 in game that broke 94-year old record for most runs in a state semifinal game. Counting weather delay, game took almost nine hours to complete and ended at 12:50 AM last Saturday morning.
9. Atlantic Coast (Jacksonvile) (8A) (22-8) – LOST to eventual 8A state semifinalist #8 Forest (Ocala) 3-0 in Region 1-8A final (5/10), d. RV Oakleaf (Orange Park) 10-0 (5 innings) in Region 1-8A semifinal (5/3), d. Chiles (Tallahassee) 7-2 in Region 1-8A quarterfinal (4/27) – Stingrays were red-hot at end of regular season and into the playoffs, winning 12 in a row after run-ruling Oakleaf in regional semifinals, Atlantic Coast’s fourth win over the Knights in 2016. But Stingrays ran into even hotter team in regional final, leaving nine on base and going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position as Kirby McMullen and Forest shut them out in Jacksonville.
10. Chiefland (1A) (24-5) – CLASS 1A STATE RUNNER-UP – LOST to eventual 1A state champion #20 Lafayette (Mayo) 2-0 in 1A state championship game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (5/12), d. Bozeman (Panama City) 7-2 (9 innings) in 1A state semifinal in Fort Myers (5/11), d. RV Trenton 7-2 in Region 4-1A final (5/3), d. Taylor (Pierson) 11-5 in Region 4-1A semifinal (4/28) – Indians rolled through regular season and beat rival Trenton to win District 7-1A title, and then knocked off rival Tigers again in regional final to advance to second state semfinal trip in four years. Chiefland scored five runs in 9th to survive state semifinal game against Bozeman, but could manage only three hits in being shutout by Zach Yeager and Lafayette in state championship game. Chiefland was also runner-up in 2013, losing that year to Trenton in state title game.
11. North Marion (Citra) (6A) (22-9) – CLASS 6A STATE SEMIFINALIST – LOST to eventual 6A state champion Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches) 14-2 (5 innings) in 6A state semifinal game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (Wed.), d. Jesuit (Tampa) 3-2 in Region 2-6A final (5/10), d. #12 Belleview 3-2 (8 innings) in Region 2-6A semifinal (5/3), d. Weeki Wachee 5-1 in Region 2-6A quarterfinal (4/27) – Colts went through rough stretch at end of regular season, but came back to beat Belleview and win District 5-6A tournament in Citra. North Marion had no trouble with Weeki Wachee in first round, but had to work in fourth meeting with Belleview this season in regional semifinal. Colts got walkoff single from Braden Ramirez in 8th inning to advance to regional final. North Marion rallied from early 2-0 deficit in regional final at home to slip past state powerhouse Jesuit behind a complete game from Tony Morales and advanced to first state semifinal appearance in school history. Colts ran into a buzzsaw in Fort Myers, losing by run-rule to nationally-ranked Archbishop McCarthy, who scored eight runs in 2nd inning and won sixth state title in seven years the following day at JetBlue Park.
12. Belleview (6A) (22-7) – LOST at eventual 6A state semifinalist #11 North Marion (Citra) 3-2 (8 innings) in Region 2-6A semifinal (5/3), won at Springstead (Spring Hill) 4-3 in Region 2-6A quarterfinal (4/27) – Rattlers dropped District 5-6A tournament championship game at North Marion, sending them on the road for first round game at Springstead (Spring Hill). Belleview won that game 4-3 and took North Marion to extra innings in regional semfinal, but lost on a walkoff hit in the bottom of the 8th to rival Colts, who advanced to first state semifinal in program history.
13. Nease (Ponte Vedra) (7A) (22-6) – LOST at #19 Columbia (Lake City) 13-4 in Region 1-7A quarterfinal (4/27) – Panthers dropped District 4-7A championship game to eventual state semifinalist Creekside, and were eliminated in Lake City in regional quarterfinal as Columbia won with a nine-run inning to beat previously undefeated Nease pitcher Leighton Alley.
14. The Villages (5A) (22-9) – LOST to eventual 5A state semifinalist Bishop Moore (Orlando) 9-2 in Region 2-5A final (5/10), won at RV Palatka 6-1 in Region 2-5A semifinal (5/3), d. Bradford (Starke) 3-0 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (4/27) – Buffalo knocked off Eustis to win District 6-5A title, and knocked off Bradford in regional quarterfinal before traveling to Palatka and taking second round game. The Villages earned home game for regional final, but Bishop Moore knocked them off to advance to Fort Myers.
15. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (4A) (20-8) – LOST to eventual 4A state semifinalist Berkeley Prep (Tampa) 1-0 in Region 2-4A semifinal (4/28) – Celtics won first district title since 2013, knocking off First Academy (Orlando) to win District 3-4A championship. But for second year in a row, Trinity Catholic lost in opening round of regional playoffs, this time to Berkeley Prep, who eventually advanced to state semifinals in Fort Myers.
16. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (20-9) – LOST at eventual 5A state champion #1 Bolles (Jacksonville) 9-0 in Region 1-5A semifinal (5/3), d. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) 7-2 in Region 1-5A quarterfinal (4/27) – Crusaders won 11 of 13 games after an 8-7 start, and captured District 4-5A tournament over Yulee. After easy opening round win over Baker County, Bishop Kenny was blanked on the road by rival and eventual 5A state champion Bolles.
17. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (20-8) – LOST at #6 Terry Parker (Jacksonville) 10-9 in Region 1-6A semifinal (5/3), d. Stanton (Jacksonville) 6-5 in Region 1-6A quarterfinal (4/27) – Panthers started 10-1 and won the District 4-6A championship game against Clay. Panthers held on to beat Stanton and were three outs away from advancing to regional final before Terry Parker rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh to stun Ridgeview in regional semifinal.
18. Nature Coast (Brooksville) (5A) (20-5) – LOST to Lake Highland Prep (Orlando) 5-3 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (4/27) – Sharks started hot at 11-1, and won District 7-5A tournament championship at Hernando (Brooksville) 13-8. Despite hosting a regional quarterfinal, Nature Coast was knocked off at home by Lake Highland Prep to end season.
19. Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (17-12) – LOST to eventual 7A state semifinalist #4 Creekside (St. Johns) 10-0 (5 innings) in Region 1-7A semifinal (5/3), d. #13 Nease (Ponte Vedra) 13-4 in Region 1-7A quarterfinal (4/27) – Tigers were 10-11 entering game at rival Suwannee (Live Oak) on April 12, but won that game to start seven winning streak, including wins over Vanguard (Ocala) and Middleburg to win District 3-7A tournament. Columbia used nine-run third inning to beat Nease and previously undefeated Leighton Alley in regional quarterfinal, but were blanked in run-rule game by Creekside, who advanced to third state semifinal in last four years in Fort Myers.
20. Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (21-6) – CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPION – d. #10 Chiefland 2-0 in 1A state championship game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (5/12), d. Central (Milton) 9-4 in 1A state semifinal in Fort Myers (5/11), d. RV Newberry 14-4 (6 innings) in Region 3-1A final (5/3), d. Union County (Lake Butler) 6-5 (9 innings) in Region 3-1A semifinal (4/27) – Hornets escaped a scare in regional semifinal game against Union County to advance to state semifinals for second time in three years. Lafayette trailed Union County 5-3 going into their final at-bat at home in first round game, but scored two runs to tie the Tigers and eventually won on a bases loaded hit batter in the 9th. Hornets hit the ball all over the park in easy regional final win over Newberry, and they cruised in state semifinal game in Fort Myers against Central (Milton) behind a complete game performance by senior pitcher Micah Byrd. In first state championship game appearance for Lafayette in 25 years, Hornets won first baseball state title behind complete game three-hit shutout by junior Zach Yaeger and RBI’s by seniors Kayne Hurst and Mason Herring.
Also receiving votes:
Fleming Island (Orange Park) (8A) (18-6) – LOST in District 2-8A semifinals. No regional playoffs.
Newberry (1A) (17-9) – LOST at eventual 1A state champion #20 Lafayette (Mayo) 14-4 (6 innings) in Region 3-1A final (5/3), d. Madison County 7-5 in Region 3-1A semifinal (4/28) – Panthers knocked off two-time defending 1A state champion Williston 4-2 in District 6-1A semifinal, then defeated Union County on the road in district championship game. Newberry won first postseason game since 1997 with home win against Madison County in regional semifinal, but fell behind early and were run-ruled in 6 innings on the road at eventual 1A state champion Lafayette in region final.
Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (14-11) – LOST at #9 Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) 10-0 (5 innings) in Region 1-8A semifinal (5/3), won at Lincoln (Tallahassee) 9-1 in Region 1-8A quarterfinal (4/27) – Knights won six out of eight games to end regular season, but were beaten for a third time by Atlantic Coast in District 2-8A championship game. Oakleaf traveled to Tallahassee and easily won regional quarterfinal game, but were beaten by Stingrays for fourth time and eliminated in run-rule fashion in second round regional game.
St. John Lutheran (Ocala) (2A) (19-7) – LOST to eventual 2A state semifinalist Trinity Christian (Deltona) 8-3 (10 innings) in Region 2-2A final, d. Master’s Academy (Vero Beach) 3-0 in Region 2-2A semifinal (4/28) – Saints won first district title, knocking off Trinity Christian in District 3-2A championship game. St. John Lutheran blanked Master’s Academy in opening round, and took three-time state champion Trinity Christian to tenth inning in regional final before allowing five runs to end their season.
Christ’s Church (Jacksonville) (2A) (26-4) – CLASS 2A STATE RUNNER-UP – LOST to eventual 2A state champion Trinity Christian (Lake Worth) 12-1 (5 innings) in 2A state championship game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (5/12), d. Seacrest Country Day (Naples) 2-1 (10 innings) in 2A state semifinal game in Fort Myers (5/11), won at Aucilla Christian (Monticello) 13-1 (6 innings) in Region 1-2A final (5/3), d. Munroe (Quincy) 10-0 (6 innings) in Region 1-2A semifinal (4/28) – Eagles had historic season, outscoring Munroe and Aucilla Christian by combined 23-1 to win first regional title, then surviving Seacrest Country Day with 10th inning walkoff RBI single to advance to first state championship game appearance. Christ’s Church survived first three innings to stay tied at 1-1 with Trinity Christian (Lake Worth). But Warriors then put 12 runs on the board in next two innings and had 19 hits to win first state championship.
Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (17-8) – LOST in District 4-7A semifinals. No regional playoffs.
South Sumter (Bushnell) (5A) (21-5) – LOST in District 6-5A semifinals. No regional playoffs.
Palatka (5A) (17-11) – LOST to #14 The Villages 6-1 in Region 2-5A semifinal (5/3), d. Eustis 5-2 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (4/27) – Panthers turned it on at end of up-and-down regular season and defeated Bradford (Starke) to win District 5-5A title. Palatka slipped past Eustis in first round, but then were beaten at home in regional semifinals by The Villages, who then lost region final at home to Bishop Moore.
Trenton (1A) (14-7) – LOST at eventual 1A state runner-up #10 Chiefland 7-2 in Region 4-1A final (5/3), won at Fort Meade 2-1 in Region 4-1A semifinal (4/28) – Tigers couldn’t get past rival Chiefland, although many teams couldn’t. Trenton dropped District 7-1A championship game to Indians, but traveled to Fort Meade and won close region semifinal game for a rematch at Chiefland in region final. But that game brought the Tigers their fourth loss to Chiefland in 2016 and ended Trenton’s season.
On the bubble (in alphabetical order):
Bradford (Starke) (5A) (15-12) – LOST at #14 The Villages 3-0 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (4/27).
Clay (Green Cove Springs) (6A) (15-11) – LOST at #6 Terry Parker (Jacksonville) 3-2 in Region 1-6A quarterfinal (4/27).
Eustis (5A) (18-9) – LOST at RV Palatka 5-2 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (4/27.
Gainesville (7A) (16-10) – LOST in District 3-7A semifinals. No regional playoffs.
Hernando (Brooksville) (5A) (17-12) – LOST at eventual 5A state semifinalist Bishop Moore (Orlando) 10-1 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (4/27).
Madison County (1A) (19-7) – LOST at RV Newberry 7-5 in Region 3-1A semifinal (4/28).
Lake Minneola (8A) (17-11) – LOST to Strawberry Crest (Dover) 3-0 in Region 1-8A quarterfinal (4/27).
Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (9A) (18-10) – LOST to #5 Spruce Creek (Port Orange) 6-4 in Region 1-9A quarterfinal (4/27).
Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto) (2A) (18-7) – LOST to eventual 2A state semifinalist Seacrest Country Day (Naples) 7-3 in Region 3-2A semifinal (4/28).
Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (20-7) – LOST to #12 Belleview 4-3 in Region 2-6A quarterfinal (4/27).
St. Joseph (St. Augustine) (3A) (17-7) – LOST at North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) 3-0 in Region 1-3A semifinal (4/29).
Stanton (Jacksonville) (6A) (18-10) – LOST at #17 Ridgeview (Orange Park) 6-5 in Region 1-6A quarterfinal (4/27).
Taylor (Pierson) (1A) (17-9) – LOST at eventual 1A state runner-up #10 Chiefland 11-5 in Region 4-1A semifinal (4/28).
Taylor County (Perry) (4A) (15-9) – LOST at #3 Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 8-1 in Region 1-4A semifinal (4/28).
Trinity Christian (Deltona) (2A) (17-12) – CLASS 2A STATE SEMIFINALIST – LOST to eventual 2A state champion Trinity Christian (Lake Worth) 8-0 in 2A state semifinal game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers (5/11), won at RV St. John Lutheran (Ocala) 8-3 (10 innings) in Region 2-2A final (5/3), won at Central Florida Christian (Orlando) 5-3 in Region 2-2A semifinal (4/28).
Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (18-11) – LOST at eventual 1A state champion #20 Lafayette (Mayo) 6-5 (10 innings) in Region 3-1A semifinal (4/28).
University Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (14-14) – LOST to eventual 3A state semifinalist Maclay (Tallahassee) 4-2 (10 innings) in Region 1-3A semifinal (4/28).
Williston (1A) (15-12) – LOST in District 6-1A semifinals. No regional playoffs.
Yulee (5A) (18-8) – LOST at eventual 5A state champion #1 Bolles (Jacksonville) 11-1 (6 innings) in Region 1-5A quarterfinal (4/27).
