OAKLEAF – With a handful of top tier graduates that are on college rosters this spring, the Oakleaf High softball team will probably not blink when it comes to keeping the program success at the highest level.

“The one difference is that the graduated players all played together for a long time,” said Oakleaf coach Christina Thompson, the Dairy Farmer coach of the year last year after guiding the Lady Knights to the Class 8A title, a 30-2 final record and an occasional USA No. 1 ranking. “New players have to step up this year, but the junior varsity has not lost in three years. We are still going to have one of the toughest schedules as always.”

Gone is all-everything pitcher Kelsey Sweatt, now a University of South Carolina-Upstate; Mika Garcia, shortstop and a Clay Today player of year now at University of West Florida and Alex Acevedo, second baseman now at Florida Atlantic University as well as stalwarts Haley Willis, catcher; Tracey Ferguson, outfield and Jenna Curtis, outfielder.

Returning is a battering ram of batter’s box prowess led by junior Baylee Goddard, Rebecca Koskey and speedy Destiny Pacetti as well as power hitter Angela Agurkis.

Goddard, Koskey, Pacetti and Agurkis will be the core leaders of a lineup of players that just signed college scholarships last week.

Pitcher Madi Davis, a junior, was unbeaten in 10 outings behind Sweatt last year and an All-State selection. Junior Cambria Arturo threw the Knights to the district title last year and will need to ascend to the big time this year.

Arturo started in Oakleaf’s preseason match against Baker County and needed relief from Davis to push the Knights to an 8-7 win with a seventh inning run-scoring hit from JC Brookshire. Oakleaf’s Lauren Wexler smashed a bases-;loaded triple in the first inning as the Knights exploded to a 5-0 lead, but the Wildcats came gack to tie with five runs in the third. Oakleaf beat West Nassau 5-0 in the preseason opener.

In the district, Fleming Island and Atlantic Coast remain as key threats. Atlantic Coast lost twice to the Knights; in the district final and 10-0 in the region semifinal.

Oakleaf will host a Tournament of Champions and return to the Kissimmee Klassic to defend that title plus have 1A state champion Union County on their schedule.

The Tournament of Champions, set for March 16-17 features state powers such as West Orange (9A champ), West Nassau (5A regions), Trinity Christian (4A Final Four), Aucilla Christian (2A runnerup), Lakewood Ranch (7A Region finalist), Hardee (5A regions), Ponte Vedra (6A Final Four) and Oakleaf (8A champs).

Golden Eagles to rely

on senior returners

FLEMING ISLAND – Fleming Island High’s softball defense lost catcher Jordan Hunt and infielder Tiffany Steczo to graduation but return five key players that can aptly fill the gap.

Hunt takes with her a .414 batting average with Steczo tops on the team at .439.

Third baseman Morgan Grimm should be the infield’s best glove with Maya Littles showing some great play at second base last year after some time in centerfield. Mady Lanoux is a strong shortstop and dangerous baserunner for coach Jennifer Bucklew with Sammy Dill a fleet-footed outfielder. Dill, top hitting returner at .412 and also top basestealer with 16 snags, is also a possible pitcher for Bucklew. Freshman Morgan Kendrick was on the mound in Fleming Island’s preseason opener against Keystone Heights at the Oakleaf Preseason Tournament on Saturday.

Fleming Island finished at 10-10 last year and had been a strong opening team that maybe lacked depth which eventually led to late inning falters. Against Oakleaf, the Golden Eagles grabbed an early 1-0 lead, but fell 5-1 in the later innings. Fleming Island opens with two barnburners in district rival Atlantic Coast and 6A power Ponte Vedra (Final Four).