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The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2021 Softball Poll #5 (FINAL POLL)

Mike Ridaught
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The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2021 Softball Poll #5 (FINAL POLL)
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Eustis captures first state fast-pitch softball title and finishes in top spot of final 2021 regional all-classification rankings

GAINESVILLE — After a 2020 season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, high school softball safely navigated through the 2021 season in North Central Florida.

And for the teams in The Prep Zone Power Poll, there were some state champions, state runner-up and plenty of teams who advanced to the state semifinals in Clermont.

Finishing in the top spot after winning their first fast-pitch softball state title are the 4A champs, the Eustis Panthers.

In the state playoffs, Eustis (27-1) outscored their five opponents 38-2 behind sophomore pitcher Libby Levandoski, who struck out 17 Hernando (Brooksville) hitters in the 5-0 victory for the Panthers in the 4A state championship game in Clermont.

The Panthers beat #4 Ridgeview (Orange Park) 2-0 in the state semifinals and #5 Hernando in the title game and received six of the eight first-place votes as they move up from 4th in the previous poll to #1 in the final rankings.

The only loss for Eustis in 2021 was 5-4 to eventual 6A state runner-up Winter Springs.

Class 7A University (Orange City) finished 2nd with one first-place vote.

The Titans (25-1) made it through the regular season and district tournament unbeaten and won Region 1-7A with wins over RV Bartram Trail (St. Johns), #16 Oakleaf (Orange Park), and a region final win at Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs).

University faced a fellow unbeaten team in Park Vista (Lake Worth) in the state semifinal in Clermont, losing 4-3. Park Vista lost in the 7A title game to Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton) 14-4.

Coming in 3rd is 1A state champion Trenton.

The Tigers (20-1) repeated as 1A state champs, defeating #10 Dixie County (Cross City) 4-0 in the Region 4-1A final to advance to Clermont.

Trenton rallied past #15 Branford 3-2 in the state semifinal, then held off Jay 5-4 in the state title game to win their second state title in the past three years.

The Tigers also captured the 1A championship in 2019 and were state runners-up in 2018 and have won 57 of their last 58 games under coach Todd Bryant, who announced his retirement after the win.

Trenton beat Dixie County three times and knocked off first-time state semifinalist Branford to repeat as state champs and received the final first-place vote.

Ridgeview drops a couple of spots to finish 4th despite their second straight trip to the final four.

The Panthers (26-4) advanced through a tough Region 1-4A with wins over RV Clay (Green Cove Springs) and #7 Baker County (Glen St. Mary) in the region final, rallying for three runs in the bottom of the 7th to beat the Wildcats.

But like Hernando, Ridgeview ran into a red-hot Levandoski of Eustis in the state semifinals and lost there for the second time in a row.

Hernando rounds out the top five.

The Leopards (26-5) also advanced to the state semifinal for the second tournament in a row, but this time rallied from a 8-2 deficit in the fifth inning against American Heritage (Plantation) to win 9-8 and advance to their first state title game appearance since 2000.

Class 3A state semifinalist Episcopal (Jacksonville) starts off the second five.

The Eagles (23-6) knocked off then-#5 West Nassau (Callahan) on a walk-off homer in the region semifinal and defeated Marianna in the Region 1-3A final to advance to their first state semifinal appearance.

Episcopal was beaten by eventual 3A state runner-up Windermere Prep 4-0 but it was still a historical season for the Eagles, and they moved up five spots to finish #6.

After Baker County at #7 is 2A state runner-up University Christian (Jacksonville), which finishes 8th.

The Christians (18-3), who were unranked in the final regular season poll, upset then-#9 Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 11-6 in the Region 1-2A final to advance to the 2A final four in Clermont.

After an 8-3 win over #17 Mount Dora Christian Academy in the state semifinals, UC came up short 3-1 in the 2A final to Canterbury School (St. Petersburg) in a game that had only four hits combined.

West Nassau finishes 9th, while Dixie County rounds out the top 10.

Besides University Christian and Mount Dora Christian Academy, also new to the poll is Branford. Taylor (Pierson) also moves in at a tie for 20th with Baldwin.

Falling out from the previous poll are Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville), West Port (Ocala), and Lecanto.

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 powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.

THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2021 SOFTBALL POLL #5 (FINAL POLL)
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, final record through 5/22, and total voting points)
1. Eustis (4A) (6) (27-1) – 158
2. University (Orange City) (7A) (1) (25-1) – 149
3. Trenton (1A) (1) (20-1) – 145
4. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (4A) (26-4) – 137
5. Hernando (Brooksville) (4A) (26-5) – 128
6. Episcopal (Jacksonville) (3A) (23-6) – 115
7. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (4A) (18-8) – 97
8. University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (18-3) – 93
9. West Nassau (Callahan) (3A) (20-7) – 84
10. Dixie County (Cross City) (1A) (20-3) – 80
11. East Ridge (Clermont) (7A) (20-8) – 73
12. Creekside (St. Johns) (6A) (20-6) – 65
13. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (17-7) – 64
14. Belleview (4A) (21-8) – 48
15. Branford (1A) (15-5) – 43
16. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (7A) (17-10) – 38
17. Mount Dora Christian Academy (2A) (20-9) – 35
18. South Lake (Groveland) (6A) (21-5) – 20
19. Gainesville (5A) (18-7) – 19
20T. Baldwin (3A) (20-6) – 16
20T. Taylor (Pierson) (3A) (19-4) – 16
Also receiving votes: Middleburg (5A) (15-15) – 14; Taylor County (Perry) (1A) (18-9) – 10; Clay (Green Cove Springs) (4A) (19-10) – 9; Paxon (Jacksonville) (4A) (14-7) – 7; Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (17-11) – 6; Paxon (Jacksonville) (4A) (17-8) – 5; Fernandina Beach (3A) (19-6) – 4; West Port (Ocala) (7A) (18-6) – 2; Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (12-9) – 1.

Bonus coverage of “The Prep Zone” Show

Mike Ridaught
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Bonus coverage of “The Prep Zone” Show

Just when it appeared we were done for the 2020-21 high school sports year, we add one final episode of “The Prep Zone” sports show.

While we wrapped up our coverage on 106.9 FM “I am Country” last week with the Trenton softball team, tonight the show looks back on the year that was.

Join Marty Pallman and guest Corey Davis of the Gainesville Sun on Wednesday, June 2, from 7-8 p.m. as they talk high school sports. This is an audio only broadcast:

Trenton Softball – 2021

Mike Stanton
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Trenton Softball – 2021

Wednesday, 7-8 p.m. – “The Prep Zone” Sports Show (broadcast from Sonic Drive-In on 39th Avenue in Gainesville)

Join Mike Ridaught and Marty Pallman for their final high school sports show of 2020-21. Guests for this episode include Trenton softball coach Todd Bryant and the Class 1A state champion Tigers. The defending 2019 champions repeated and finished 20-1 this season. 

Radio:  “I am Country” 106.9 FM Gainesville

AUDIO VAULT – Click here to listen to the archive.

North Marion vs North Broward Prep – Class 4A State Championship

Mike Stanton
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North Marion vs North Broward Prep – Class 4A State Championship

North Marion (Citra) vs. North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek) – Class 4A state championship game

Join Marty Pallman (Play-by-play) & Corey Davis (Color) from Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers for the Class 4A state championship. The Colts are seeking their first state title in school history.

We’ll also have a recap of the game at www.MainstreetDailyNews.com

North Marion baseball in Class 4A state semifinals

Mike Ridaught
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North Marion baseball in Class 4A state semifinals

The North Marion (Citra) baseball team will play Nature Coast (Brooksville) at 4 p.m. on Monday in the Class 4A state semifinals at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

The Colts (20-8) are making their 2nd trip to the final four in the past five years. For a preview of the game click here.

There is a free audio broadcast of the game. Join Marty Pallman (Play-by-play) and Corey Davis (Color) for all the action.

Showdown at Citizen’s Field ends in draw

Mike Ridaught
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Showdown at Citizen’s Field ends in draw

By Curtis Michaud
Twitter – @goodvibescurt

On Friday Night at Citizens Field in Gainesville, the Gainesville Hurricanes and Forest (Ocala) Wildcats varsity football teams ended their long-awaited spring game with a draw, 7-7, that left both coaches eager for what the fall season may look like as they head into the summer.

This non-district matchup was the first time these two teams met on the gridiron since the coronavirus pandemic, which was the cause for both programs’ inability to have a spring game last year and a shortened season.

“We didn’t get a spring last year which set us back,” said GHS head coach Dock Pollard. “Couldn’t be more happier and excited for the way our guys played tonight, especially the young guys.”

With both teams struggling offensively throughout the first two quarters, it was setting up to be a low scoring and hard-fought affair.

Both defenses held their own in the first half shutting out the opposing teams’ offenses where it looked like the team who can impose their will in the trenches and control the line of scrimmage was going to have a significant advantage through the game.

“The defense played very well,” said Wildcats’ head coach Robin Williams. “I’m impressed on how they played overall. They played their butt off.”

Both Pollard and Williams acknowledged that injuries and some inexperience on the offensive side of the ball had something to do with their inability to mustard some momentum.

“Our center only had six starts,” Pollard said. “He’s the only one that has some real game time experience.”

Three-star senior defensive end Elijah Russell of Forest was giving the Hurricanes’ offensive line fits throughout the first half, batting freshman quarterback Shooby Coleman passes occasionally.

“By his standard, he really played exceptionally well, filling up the stat sheet with about two or three and 10 tackles,” Williams said.

With Russel only playing about two and a half quarters dealing with cramps periodically, Williams said he isn’t concerned with the health of his 6-foot-8 defensive end moving forward.

The second half was a different story and started off with a bang.

Forest senior quarterback Stephen Curry Jr. completed a deep pass down the field against man-on-man defense taking the Wildcats to the Hurricanes 20-yard line looking to put the first points on the board.

However, after a  pass interference penalty being called in the endzone had the Wildcats marching closer for some points, the Canes’ defense buckled down and stood tall forcing a turnover with a big interception by senior cornerback Dyoni Hill.

“I told the defense they had to hold their back and not give in,” Pollard said. “We got the turnover even though our back was against our end zone.”

GHS then took the ball and drove the down the field into Wildcats’ territory with some hard running by junior running back Kyree Edwards.

Unfortunately, with 5:43 left in the third quarter, an unsportsmanlike conduct and holding penalty on the offense halted that drive resulting in a 30-yard punt.

With a couple of three and outs by both teams, the Wildcats took over possession on their own 14-yard line and once again quarterback Curry Jr. delivered another strike down the sideline.

This time three-star athlete Izaiah Guy made a huge reception right before the end of third that led to a six-yard rushing touchdown with 9:56 left in the fourth quarter to put the Wildcats up 7-0.

Facing a running clock in the fourth because of spring game rules, Gainesville didn’t let the score discourage their confidence.

A big third down scamper by Coleman down the GHS sidelines and an unsportsmanlike penalty against the Wildcats had the Hurricanes in the red zone looking to tie the ball game.

On the final offensive play of the game, the Hurricanes scored in dramatic fashion from a yard out to tie the ball game at seven.

Pollard was pleased his team didn’t give up and fought back into the ball game to come with the late score.

“It shows our character,” he said. “The way we clawed our way back and finish out the night strong and as a coach that’s all you can really ask.

With both teams finished with a below .500 record last year, the Wildcats (3-4) and Hurricanes (2-4) look to bounce back this upcoming fall season after losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Trenton softball, Newberry baseball win state

Mike Ridaught
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Trenton softball, Newberry baseball win state

By Mike Ridaught
Twitter – @ridaught

*This appeared in Friday’s Mainstreet Daily News sports newsletter. The newsletter is emailed every Monday and Friday. Click here to sign up for free.

What a week for high school softball and baseball.

The area just won two state titles to end the spring 2021 season.

First it was Trenton softball, which won the Class 1A state title on Wednesday with a 5-4 win against Jay at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont.

It was the second state title in the past three years for the Tigers, who went 27-0 to win the Class 1A state title in 2019 and was 10-0 and nationally ranked in 2020 when COVID-19 shut things down.

Trenton went 20-1 this season, giving the Tigers a collective 57-1 record the past three years.

“This was probably the best job of coaching that we have done for any state contender team we’ve had,” said Trenton coach Todd Bryant.

The Tigers rode the arm of Florida Atlantic University signee Darian Ingram, who struck out 17 batters in the state semifinals and 13 batters in the state championship game.

Stetson signee Keeli Zingaro hit a 3-run home run in the state championship game to finish with a team-high 11 on the season.

Then, last night at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, the Newberry baseball team won its first state baseball title in school history.

The Panthers overcame 10 walks, including five in the first inning, to knock off No. 1 Chipley, 7-5, to win the Class 1A state title.

The Panthers rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first inning and a 5-1 deficit in the fourth inning.

Senior first baseman Logan Carlisle finished 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs driven in, and two runs scored. Junior Mason Tomchak got the win in relief by throwing three scoreless innings.

It was the fifth playoff win for Spina, who passed former coach Terry Stroemer for the most playoff wins in school history.

“It feels amazing,” said Newberry coach Mike Spina. “These boys have made me proud all year long. They’ve played hard all year long. I told them before we came into this stadium tonight to leave it all out on the field, and they left it all out on the field.”

The 2021 Panthers (25-1), who etched their place in the record books, finished the season with a 19-game winning streak.

We broadcast both Newberry games on 106.9 FM “I am Country” and we will conclude our 2020-21 coverage on Wednesday, May 26, from 7-8 p.m. at Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville with our guests – the Class 1A state champion Trenton softball team. You can listen to the show on 106.9 FM.

Newberry vs Chipley – Class 1A State Championship

Mike Stanton
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Newberry vs Chipley – Class 1A State Championship

6:30 p.m. (PREGAME) – Baseball, 7 p.m. (FIRST PITCH)

Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) from Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers for the Class 1A state championship game. The Panthers (24-1) are seeking their first state baseball title in school history.

Radio:  “I am Country” 106.9 FM Gainesville

‘Live’ audio:  https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WPLL

Newberry vs Hamilton County – Class 1A State Semifinals

Mike Stanton
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Newberry vs Hamilton County – Class 1A State Semifinals

Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. (PREGAME) – Baseball, 7 p.m. (FIRST PITCH)

Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) from Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers for the Class 1A state semifinals. The Panthers advanced to their first state semifinal in over 40 years. Newberry has never won a state title in baseball.

Radio:  “I am Country” 106.9 FM Gainesville

‘Live’ audio:  https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WPLL

Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Tuesday, May 12 – Darian Ingram (Trenton)

Mike Ridaught
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Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Tuesday, May 12 – Darian Ingram (Trenton)

The Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Tuesday, May 12, was Darian Ingram of the Trenton softball team.

The senior tossed a 2-hit shutout as the defending 2019 Class 1A state champion Tigers (18-1) defeated visiting Dixie County, 4-0, on Tuesday night in the Region Final.

The Florida Atlantic University signee struck out 11 batters and only allowed two runners in scoring position. She finished with at least one strikeout in every inning and only had two walks.

“Darian was her typical self,” Bryant said. “If they’ve got to put the ball in play, they’re in trouble.”

The Tiger offense got the winning run in the second inning.

With two outs, Brandi Dees singled to right field. Ellie Sessler doubled to left field to score Dees to make it 1-0.

Trenton will play Branford in next Tuesday’s Class 1A state semifinals at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont. The Buccaneers (15-4) advanced with a 14-3 win against Taylor County (Perry).

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.

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