Friday, April 26 – High School Baseball, Gainesville at Buchholz (Gainesville)
Join Marty Pallman (Play-by-play), Kyrin Mayfield (Color), and videographer Sammie Bogue for this city showdown.
Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for April 25 – Parker Green (Buchholz)
The Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Thursday, April 25, is Parker Green of the Buchholz (Gainesville) baseball team.
In what started out as a pitchers’ duel but ended with an offensive ‘blast,’ the Buchholz Bobcats rallied for a 6-2 win at rival Gainesville in eight innings.
Green had the hit of the night as he crushed a fastball over the leftfield fence with the bases loaded in the top of the 8th. It was the third home run in three games for the junior, who helped lead the Bobcats (14-8) to their 12th win in the past 15 meetings against the rival Hurricanes.
“It’s always awesome playing them” said Green, who struggled to get the words out after getting hit in the throat by a baseball in the bottom of the seventh inning with the score tied 2-2. “I’ve just been seeing it really well.”
Despite the injury, Green stayed in the game, and Buchholz is glad that he did.
“I just tried to go up there and make solid contact, and I got a hold of it,” said Green, who batted 8th in the line-up. “It was a fastball right down the middle.”
Buchholz led early 1-0, but trailed 2-1 heading into the top of the fifth. Junior Austin Akey had a 2-out hit to keep the inning alive and junior Corbin Grantham was able to score the tying run on a throwing error by the catcher.
“I like our guys resolve,” said Buchholz coach Ron Brooks, who also noted he was really disappointed with their bats early in the game. “We did a really good job just staying together. Luke gave us a great start, and then Parker came up with the big hit over the fence, and then made a great diving play in the bottom of the 8th.”
For Gainesville (11-10), it was the second straight loss after an 8-game winning streak. However, head coach Chris Malphurs was proud of his team’s effort..
“It was a really good high school baseball game,” he said. “If you would have told me before the game with Luke Baker (Buchholz) and Luke Marquis (Gainesville) on the mound that both of them would leave and get a no-decision, I wouldn’t have believed you. They both pitched a great game and it just came down to one swing in the end, and Parker Green just hit a blast for them to win it.”
Marquis, a Santa Fe College signee, set the tone early. He struck out eight batters in just over five innings of work.
Baker, an Ole Miss commit, fanned 10 before exiting in the 7th.
Buchholz will host Gainesville on Friday night at 7 p.m. We’ll have coverage of the game beginning at 6:45 p.m Click here to watch the game.
Every game The Prep Zone will recognize a Player-of-the-Game. The recipient receives a $10 gift certificate courtesy of Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville & Ocala.
Buchholz at Gainesville – Baseball 2019
Thursday, 6:45 p.m. (PREGAME) – High School Baseball, 7 p.m. (First pitch)
Buchholz (Gainesville) at Gainesville
Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) for this city showdown in the first of two meetings between the Bobcats and the Hurricanes.
Radio: 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville & 900 AM Ocala
‘Live’ audio: http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WMOP_AM
2019 Miracle Sports state softball rankings – Poll #10
Games through April 22
Area teams in bold
ALL-CLASSIFICATION
1. Bradenton Lakewood Ranch (8A) 21-0
2. Winter Springs (8A) 22-0
3. Coral Springs Charter (5A) 20-1
4. Eustis (5A) 20-1
5. Jacksonville Mandarin (9A) 18-1
6. Tarpon Springs East Lake (8A) 19-1
7. Apopka (9A) 20-1
8. Trenton (1A) 19-0
9. Sebring (6A) 20-1
10. Wellington (8A) 20-2
CLASS 9A
1. Jacksonville Mandarin 21-1
2. Apopka 20-1
3. Lake Worth Park Vista 21-2
4. Port Orange Spruce Creek 20-3
5. Lithia Newsome 15-4
6. Palm Beach Gardens 17-5
7. Pembroke Pines West Broward 18-4
8. Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley 19-4
9. Orlando Timber Creek 15-4
10. Palmetto 17-5
Honorable mention: Palm Harbor University 17-6, Orlando Dr. Phillips 16-4, Miami Coral Reef 15-8, Port St. Lucie Centennial 14-4, Orlando Lake Nona 14-6, Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 13-6, Tampa Alonso 10-8, Orlando Olympia 12-8, Orange City University 12-10.
CLASS 8A
1. Bradenton Lakewood Ranch 21-0
2. Winter Springs 22-0
3. Tarpon Springs East Lake 21-1
4. Wellington 20-2
5. Orange Park Oakleaf 19-4
6. Bartow 21-3
7. Cooper City 15-4-1
8. Plant City 15-3
9. Lakeland George Jenkins 15-6
10. Lutz Steinbrenner 15-4
Honorable mention: St. Cloud 17-5-1, Oviedo Hagerty 17-7, Clermont East Ridge 17-6, Tampa Sickles 17-6, Winter Park Lake Howell 14-6, Tampa Freedom 13-2, South Plantation 16-4, Tallahassee Chiles 17-7.
CLASS 7A
1. Doral Academy 18-4
2. Pembroke Pines Charter 18-4-1
3. St. Johns Bartram Trail 19-3
4. Estero 22-2
5. St. Johns Creekside 17-3
6. Fort Myers 19-4
7. Niceville 15-5
8. Land O’Lakes Sunlake 19-2
9. Melbourne 19-4
10. Gainesville 16-7
Honorable mention: Deltona 14-5, Tampa Chamberlain 16-4, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 19-4, Lake City Columbia 14-6, Punta Gorda Charlotte 14-6, Stuart Martin County 11-3, Palm Coast Matanzas 17-4, Cantonment Tate 15-6, Boca Raton Olympic Heights 15-5.
CLASS 6A
1. Sebring 20-1
2. Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee 20-1
3. Pensacola West Florida 19-3
4. Crawfordville Wakulla 16-4
5. Dunnellon 18-4
6. New Port Richey River Ridge 16-5
7. Plantation American Heritage 11-7
8. Belleview 17-6
9. Land O’Lakes 19-4
10. Lake Wales 14-8
Honorable mention: Spring Hill Springstead 18-5, Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy 18-2, Crystal River 14-6, Immokalee 15-5, Tampa Robinson 18-5, Rockledge 14-7, Miami Goleman 18-1.
CLASS 5A
1. Coral Springs Charter 20-1
2. Eustis 20-1
3. Mariana 19-1-1
4. Brooksville Hernando 22-2
5. Glen St. Mary Baker County 17-5
6. Alachua Santa Fe 17-5
7. Lakeland McKeel Academy 16-6
8. Miami Gulliver Prep 11-5
9. DeFuniak Springs Walton 14-7
10. Cocoa Beach 19-5
Honorable mention: Keystone Heights 15-8, Callahan West Nassau 13-10, Pierson Taylor 13-4, Starke Bradford 15-8, Bushnell South Sumter 16-7, Key West 12-6, Cocoa 16-7.
CLASS 4A
1. West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 18-4
2. Clearwater Calvary Christian 18-3
3. Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy 13-6
4. Tampa Catholic 15-6
5. Miami Westminster Christian 15-7
6. Jacksonville Providence 12-7
7. Montverde Academy 12-8
8. Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 14-6
9. Chaminade-Madonna 7-3
10. Tavernier Coral Shores 17-1
Honorable mention: Jacksonville Episcopal 8-5, West Palm Beach King’s Academy 14-5, Tampa Academy of Holy Names 11-8-1, Tallahassee Florida High 12-9, Miami Florida Christian 7-2, Panama City North Bay Haven 13-7.
CLASS 3A
1. Jacksonville University Christian 15-2
2. Bradenton Saint Stephen’s Episcopal 17-4
3. Tallahassee North Florida Christian 11-3
4. Orange Park St. Johns Country Day 11-4
5. Windermere Prep 11-3
6. Orlando Faith Christian 17-6
7. Moore Haven 10-7
8. Marathon 13-7
9. Belle Isle Cornerstone Charter Academy 11-9
10. Seffner Christian 15-6
Honorable mention: Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian 8-6, Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin 12-8, Fort Myers Evangelical Christian 14-6, St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut 13-10, Lakeland Christian 7-8.
CLASS 2A
1. Naples Seacrest Country Day 16-2-1
2. Mount Dora Christian 20-3
3. St. Petersburg Canterbury 15-7
4. Deltona Trinity Christian 16-4
5. Land O’Lakes Academy at the Lakes 11-7
6. Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian 12-3
7. Palatka Peniel Baptist Academy 15-4
8. Homestead Colonial Christian 12-5
9. Sarasota Christian 7-2
10. Vero Beach Master’s Academy 8-4
Honorable mention: Jacksonville Eagle’s View 10-7, Brooksville Hernando Christian 10-8, Winter Park Geneva 9-7, Merritt Island Christian 7-5.
CLASS 1A
1. Trenton 20-0
2. Bell 17-3
3. Madison County 17-4
4. Jay 16-5
5. Bratt Northview 16-4
6. Eastpoint Franklin County 17-5
7. Wewahitchka 16-5
8. Sneads 17-6
9. Paxton 14-3
10. Milton Central 14-5
Honorable mention: Bonifay Holmes County 16-7-1, Chiefland 12-6, Hilliard 11-8, Williston 13-10, Bethlehem 11-4, Frostproof 13-8, Fort Meade 14-9.
Eastside Girls Track and Field – 2019
Tuesday, March 23 – “The Prep Zone” radio show broadcast from Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville. Radio: 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville & 900 AM Ocala.
Join Mike Ridaught as he talks high school sports from Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville. Guests for this episode include Eastside (Gainesville) girls track & field coach Kecia Johnson and members of the Lady Rams’ track & field team.
Forest Baseball – 2019
Wednesday, April 24 – “The Prep Zone” radio show broadcast from Sonic Drive-In of Ocala (Maricamp Road). Radio: 900 AM Ocala and 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville.
Join Mike Ridaught as he talks high school sports from Sonic Drive-In of Ocala (Maricamp Road). Guests for this episode include Forest (Ocala) baseball coach Jed Yancey and members of the Wildcats’ baseball team.
Email mike@ThePrepZone.com to obtain a copy of this episode.
Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for April 22 – Darian Ingram (Trenton)
The Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Monday, April 22, is Darian Ingram of the Trenton softball team.
Ingram, a sophomore and FAU commit, pitched a complete-game two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts and Trenton pushed a run across in the bottom of the 8th to edge Gainesville, 1-0, on Senior Night. She allowed only an infield single to sophomore Ayanna Woodard in the first inning and a single by sophomore Summer Palmer leading off the sixth.
Gainesville only advanced a runner past first base once, and that came in the sixth, but Ingram snuffed out the Hurricanes’ threat. Ingram, who entered the game with a 0.54 ERA, walked two and hit a batter and had at least one strikeout in every inning, striking out the side in the third and eighth innings.
“She was phenomenal,” said Trenton coach Todd Bryant. “She was having trouble hitting her spots and that was bothering her. She is only a sophomore. But she made some adjustments and look what she did. Fourteen strikeouts, that’s a lot.”
Trenton tallied the winning run in the 8th due to three Gainesville errors.
Junior Emily Barras, a Mercer University commit, led off the inning reaching first after Gainesville first baseman Natasha Fox dropped a throw to first on a strikeout. Senior Grace Guthrie, a Santa Fe College signee, reached on a throwing error by Hurricanes’ pitcher Alissa Humphrey, moving Barras to second.
After Shalyn Parrish popped up a bunt to the catcher for the first out, junior Hallie Bryant, a USF commit, singled to left field but Barras had to hold at third base and was nearly thrown out.
Then with the bases loaded, senior Taniah Bowers, a Santa Fe College signee, tried a squeeze bunt and Humphrey made the throw to catch Brianna Boggs at home for the apparent force out, but Boggs dropped the ball and Trenton had the win.
Humphrey, a JU commit, had quite a game in the circle in her own right for Gainesville, allowing only two hits and an unearned run with nine K’s, but picked up a tough-luck loss and is now 16-4 on the season.
“Alissa Humphrey is a great pitcher,” said Bryant. “She struck out 16 against us last time, but this time we only struck out nine times. We’ve gotten better.”
Trenton, the top-ranked team in 1A in the Miracle Sports state softball poll and also ranked #1 in The Prep Zone Power Poll regional rankings, remains undefeated at 20-0 and finishes a season sweep of Gainesville. The Tigers won at GHS 2-1 on March 1.
“We just fought to the end and then did what had to be done,” said Ingram. “They’re such a good team. It means a lot (to beat them twice).”
Gainesville is now 16-7 and finishes its regular season for Senior Night on Thursday at home against Union County (Lake Butler). The Hurricanes will be the #1 seed in the District 4-7A tournament and will host Vanguard (Ocala) in the district semis on Tuesday, April 30.
Trenton will host the District 7-1A tournament next week. Last year’s state runners-up are focused on just one thing now.
“May 21st,” said Bryant, who noted the start day of the Class 1A Final Four in Vero Beach. “That’s all that matters. Used to, we didn’t talk about it, but we’ve been talking about it.”
Every game The Prep Zone will recognize a Player-of-the-Game. The recipient receives a $10 gift certificate courtesy of Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville & Ocala.
Gainesville at Trenton – Softball 2019
Monday (TONIGHT), 6:45 p.m. (PREGAME) – High School Softball, 7 p.m. (First pitch)
Gainesville at Trenton
Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) & Marty Pallman (Color) for this match-up of state-ranked teams. It’s Senior Night for the Tigers, the top-ranked team in Class 1A, who are looking keep their hopes alive for an unbeaten regular season. Visiting Gainesville is ranked 8th in the state in Class 7A.
Radio: 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville & 900 AM Ocala
‘Live’ audio: http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WMOP_AM
Tonight/This week – ThePrepZone.com (Week of April 22)
Monday, April 22, 6:45 p.m. (PREGAME) – High School Softball, 7 p.m. (First pitch)
Gainesville at Trenton
Radio: 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville & 900 AM Ocala
‘Live’ audio: http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WMOP_AM
Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) & Marty Pallman (Color) for this match-up of state-ranked teams. It’s Senior Night for the Tigers, the top-ranked team in Class 1A, who are looking keep their hopes alive for an unbeaten regular season. Visiting Gainesville is ranked 8th in the state in Class 7A.
Tuesday, 7-8 p.m. – “The Prep Zone” radio show broadcast from Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville
Radio: 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville & 900 AM Ocala
Audio: http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WMOP_AM
‘Live’ & ‘Archived’ VIDEO (free): https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/the-prep-zone/evta0f17d4e13
Join Mike Ridaught as he talks high school sports from Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville. Guests for this episode include Eastside (Gainesville) girls track & field coach Kecia Johnson and members of the Lady Rams’ track & field team.
Wednesday, 7-8 p.m. – “The Prep Zone” radio show broadcast from Sonic Drive-In of Ocala (Maricamp Road)
Radio: 900 AM Ocala and 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville
‘Live’ audio: http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WMOP_AM
Join Mike Ridaught as he talks high school sports from Sonic Drive-In of Ocala (Maricamp Road). Guests for this episode include Forest (Ocala) baseball coach Jed Yancey and members of the Wildcats’ baseball team.
Thursday, 6:45 p.m. (PREGAME) – High School Baseball, 7 p.m. (First pitch)
Buchholz (Gainesville) at Gainesville
Radio: 92.1 FM & 1230 AM Gainesville & 900 AM Ocala
‘Live’ audio: http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WMOP_AM
Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) & Caitlin Todd (Color) for this city showdown in the first of two meetings between the Bobcats and the Hurricanes.
Friday, 6:45 p.m. (PREGAME) – High School Baseball, 7 p.m. (First pitch)
Gainesville at Buchholz (Gainesville)
*VIDEO (Subscription only): https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/the-prep-zone/gam8dcda2b990
Join Marty Pallman (Play-by-play), Caitlin Todd (Color), and videographer Sammie Bogue for this city showdown.
THE PREP ZONE’S WEEKDAY COVERAGE:
**For our Gainesville audience, tune in to ThePrepZone.com Sports Report presented by SunState Federal Credit Union every weekday morning between 7:50-7:55 a.m. on 106.9 FM in Gainesville. These are a little over 60 seconds in length and air Monday-Friday. Those reports are archived here if you miss a report**
**For those in the Tri-County area, tune in to ThePrepZone.com Nature Coast Sports Report presented by SunState Federal Credit Union every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:28 a.m. and repeating at 5:28 p.m. They are two minutes in length and air on 93.1 FM & 940 AM in Chiefland/Trenton and 96.3 FM & 1240 AM in Cross City. Listen LIVE here.**
**Tune in to our weekly radio interviews talking high school sports on ThePrepZone.com Sports Report presented by SunState Federal Credit Union on WRUF-98.1 FM & 850 AM in Gainesville every Thursday at 4 p.m. on “The Tailgate” with Jeff Cardozo & Zach Abolverdi**
The Prep Zone Power Poll fueled by Anytime Fitness – 2019 Softball Poll #4
Class 1A Trenton new No. 1 in regional all-classification rankings following upset win at Oakleaf
GAINESVILLE – There’s only one unbeaten team left in the area.
And that team has ascended to the top of The Prep Zone Power Poll following a win at previous No. 1 and nationally-ranked Oakleaf (Orange Park).
Class 1A Trenton pulled the upset on Thursday night, rallying from an early 3-0 deficit to beat Oakleaf on the road, 8-3.
The Tigers (19-0) moved up three spots to the top spot following a 2-0 week which included a 5-2 win at previous No. 7 Santa Fe (Alachua).
They received three of the seven first-place votes.
Trenton, despite being in the smallest classification, has also posted wins against a pair of 7A schools. The Tigers have wins against current No. 5 Gainesville (16-6) and #17 Columbia (Lake City) (13-6) – both on the road. They’ve also swept No. 16 Bell (17-3).
Mandarin (Jacksonville), which also received three first-place votes, remained second. The Class 9A Mustangs (21-1) have won nine in row since their only loss at Oakleaf, which dropped to third in this week’s all-classification regional rankings. The Knights (18-3) received the other first-place vote.
Eustis (20-1) moved up two spots from sixth to fourth. The Class 5A Panthers’ only loss was by one run to nationally-ranked Winter Springs.
Class 9A Spruce Creek (Port Orange) is sixth, followed by Bartram Trail (St. Johns), Matanzas (Palm Coast), Baker County (Glen St. Mary) and East Ridge (Clermont) in the top 10.
Springstead (Spring Hill) moved into the rankings at #20. The Class 6A Eagles (17-5) had a 3-0 win against previous #11 Hernando (Brooksville).
Previous No. 19 Mount Dora Christian Academy dropped out following an 11-1 loss at Eustis but the Class 2A Bulldogs (20-3) are still receiving votes.
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 and it is fueled by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.
The Prep Zone Power Poll – 2019 Softball Poll #4
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, record through April 18, and total voting points)
1. Trenton (1A) (3) (19-0) – 136
2. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (9A) (3) (21-1) – 133
3. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (1) (18-3) – 130
4. Eustis (5A) (20-1) – 116
5. Gainesville (7A) (16-6) – 103
6. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (9A) (19-3) – 100
7. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (18-3) – 98
8. Matanzas (Palm Coast) (7A) (17-2) – 95
9. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (17-5) – 81
10. East Ridge (Clermont) (8A) (15-5) – 73
11. Santa Fe (Alachua) (5A) (16-5) – 67
12. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (17-3) – 61
13. Hernando (Brooksville) (5A) (22-2) – 57
14. Dunnellon (6A) (16-4) – 49
15. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville) (4A) (11-6) – 29
16. Bell (1A) (17-3) – 28
17. Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (13-6) – 26
18. Keystone Heights (5A) (15-7) – 22
19. West Nassau (Callahan) (5A) (13-10) – 18
20. Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (17-5) – 13
Also receiving votes: Clay (Green Cove Springs) (6A) (13-9) – 10; Madison County (1A) (16-3) – 9; Mount Dora Christian Academy (2A) (20-3) – 6; Belleview (6A) (16-5) – 6; Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (15-7) – 2; Middleburg (7A) (9-8) – 1; Taylor (Pierson) (5A) (13-4) – 1.