Eustis still on top of the all-classification regional softball rankings as regional play nears
GAINESVILLE – The Eustis softball team is a unanimous No. 1 with the regular season now complete.
The defending 4A state champions, who are ranked No. 1 in 4A by MaxPreps and No. 25 overall in Florida, received all nine first-place votes and remained on top of the all-classification regional rankings.
Spruce Creek (Port Orange) moved up four spots to No. 2 in The Prep Zone Power Poll, which ranks the top 20 softball teams across 26 counties in Florida. The Hawks (19-3) are ranked fifth in Class 6A.
Baldwin (21-2), which dropped one spot, is ranked third, followed by West Nassau (Callahan) and Hernando (Brooksville) in the top five.
Class 4A Deltona (13-3) leads off the second five at No. 6, followed by Class 1A Dixie County (Cross City) at No. 7, with East Ridge (Clermont), Oakleaf (Orange Park), and University (Orange City) rounding out the top 10.
Dixie County (17-4) moved up four spots and into the top 10 after a 6-0 record since the last poll, including wins against previous No. 8 Union County, which dropped to 12th, and RV Bell.
The Bears are ranked No. 42 in Florida and No. 2 in 1A by MaxPreps. They are hosting this week’s Class 1A-District 7 tournament.
Another 1A school, Williston (17-6), moved up six spots to No. 14 after a 4-0 record including a win against previously RV Forest (twice) and Santa Fe, and No. 12 Union County. The Red Devils are ranked No. 74 in Florida and No. 5 in 1A by MaxPreps.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, girls volleyball, girls basketball, boys basketball, softball & baseball 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 – 2022 SOFTBALL POLL #5
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, current record, and total voting points)
1. Eustis (4A) (8) (21-2) – 160
2. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (6A) (19-3) – 149
3. Baldwin (3A) (21-2) – 148
4. West Nassau (Callahan) (3A) (15-6) – 129
5. Hernando (Brooksville) (3A) (19-4) – 123
6. Deltona (4A) (13-3) – 110
7. Dixie County (Cross City) (1A) (17-4) – 109
8. East Ridge (Clermont) (6A) (16-8) – 99
9. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (7A) (13-7) – 96
10. University (Orange City) (6A) (15-7) – 88
11. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (5A) (13-5) – 77
12. Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (16-4) – 62
13. Keystone Heights (3A) (15-9) – 56
14. Williston (1A) (17-6) – 50
15. Palatka (3A) (17-5) – 42
16. Providence (Jacksonville) (3A) (15-6) – 37
17. Springstead (Spring Hill) (5A) (17-6) – 25
18. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (15-8) – 23
19. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (14-7) – 16
20. Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (13-5) – 15
Also receiving votes: University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (13-8) – 13; West Port (Ocala) (7A) (16-8) – 12; Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (10-8) – 10; Bell (1A) (14-6) – 8; Montverde Academy (3A) (15-8) – 7; South Lake (Groveland) (5A) (13-11) – 6; Episcopal (Jacksonville) (3A) (13-6) – 5; First Coast (Jacksonville) (6A) (11-7) – 2; Hilliard (1A) (10-6) – 2; Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (4A) (10-11) – 1.