Head-to-head match-up solidifies Oakleaf (Orange Park) as the top team in the region
GAINESVILLE – When the top two teams play against one another, it’s typically a good indicator to see how much separation there is between No. 1 and No. 2.
The game between nationally-ranked Oakleaf (Orange Park), the top team in The Prep Zone Power Poll, and #2 Mandarin (Jacksonville), which entered the game unbeaten, didn’t disappoint.
The Knights (12-1) held on to the top spot thanks to a 4-3 win against the Mustangs (12-1) in eight innings.
Oakleaf, ranked 10th in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Writers’ Poll, received all seven first-place votes, while Mandarin was a near unanimous selection as the No. 2 team.
However, one 2nd-place vote did go to Bartram Trail (St. Johns), which is tied for third with Trenton in the all-classification regional rankings.
The Class 7A Bears (13-1), who lost 5-3 at Providence (Jacksonville) on March 19, won’t get a chance to face the top-ranked Knights this season. However, Bartram Trail will travel to Class 9A #2 Mandarin next Thursday, April 11.
And don’t let Trenton’s Class 1A status fool you.
The Tigers (13-0) defeated 1A #8 Chiefland last week by a score of 9-0. They have outscored their nine 1A opponents, 110-12. Trenton, which is ranked No. 1 in Class 1A by Miracle Sports, also has wins against Class 7A schools Gainesville & Columbia (Lake City) – both on the road.
Gainesville’s other loss was to Oakleaf in last month’s Tournament of Champions championship game. The Class 7A Hurricanes (12-2) moved up one spot to round out the top five.
There are three undefeated teams remaining.
In addition to No. 3 Trenton, Class 7A Matanzas (Palm Coast) is 12-0, while 5A Eustis is 13-0. They are ranked sixth and eight, respectively, sandwiched around No. 7 East Ridge (Clermont).
Santa Fe (Alachua) and Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), which dropped six spots, round out the top 10 at ninth and 10th, respectively.
Despite the fact that there was some movement, the top 20 remained intact this week.
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.
The Prep Zone Power Poll – 2019 Softball Poll #2
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, record through March 29, and results)
1. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (7) (12-1) – 140
2. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (9A) (12-1) – 132
3T. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (13-1) – 121
3T. Trenton (1A) (13-0) – 121
5. Gainesville (7A) (12-2) – 111
6. Matanzas (Palm Coast) (7A) (12-0) – 100
7. East Ridge (Clermont) (8A) (8-1) – 94
8. Eustis (5A) (13-0) – 90
9. Santa Fe (Alachua) (5A) (14-3) – 81
10. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville) (4A) (10-4) – 76
11. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (12-3) – 68
12. Dunnellon (6A) (11-2) – 61
13. Hernando (Brooksville) (5A) (14-1) – 55
14. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (9A) (12-3) – 45
15. Keystone Heights (5A) (10-4) – 31
16. Bell (1A) (11-2) – 28
17. West Nassau (Callahan) (5A) (8-6) – 25
18. Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (8-5) – 23
19. Madison County (1A) (11-2) – 17
20. Mount Dora Christian (2A) (13-2) – 15
Also receiving votes: Belleview (6A) (11-3) – 12; Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) (8A) (8-5) – 7; Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (12-4) – 5; Clay (Green Cove Springs) (6A) (9-6) – 4; St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) (3A) (7-2) – 2; Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (8-3) – 2; University Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (11-2) – 1; Fleming Island (Orange Park) (8A) (6-3) – 1; Providence (Jacksonville) (4A) (8-6) – 1; Crystal River (6A) (9-3) – 1.
