From first pitch to final out, the 2025 FHSAA 7A State Softball Tournament has delivered nothing but high-level play and high-stakes moments. Across four stacked regions, top teams have slugged, scrapped, and shut their way to the Final Four. This preview covers the entire postseason picture, starting with detailed, stat-driven breakdowns of every regional quarterfinal, through the semifinal matchups, and all the way to a full state championship analysis. No filler. No guesses. Just real numbers, sharp insights, and the clearest picture you’ll find of who’s built to win it all.
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Region 1
Quarterfinal
(1) Lake Brantley vs. (8) Seminole
Lake Brantley enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed for good reason. At 26-0, they boast one of the most productive lineups in the bracket. Junior Auriana Turner leads the charge with a .540 average, 47 hits, and 28 RBI in 87 at-bats. She’s supported by sophomore Rylin Sprague (.485 AVG, 5 HR, 36 RBI), senior Kayla Morris (.346 AVG, 8 HR), and sophomore Stella Christie (.400 AVG, 4 HR), creating a top half of the order that combines for 23 home runs and over 110 runs driven in. On the mound, senior Belle Rosales (2.86 ERA, 78.1 IP) and junior Lauren Compton (3.09 ERA, 81.2 IP) have been efficient if not overpowering, giving up a combined 68 earned runs in 160 innings with moderate strikeout totals (62 and 73, respectively). Still, they keep hitters off-balance and have not allowed a loss between them.
Seminole, meanwhile, is overmatched statistically. Their offensive production is limited, with freshman Mary Long the lone standout (.405 AVG, 32 H), and only one other player hitting above .350. Team-wide, there’s minimal power—just 3 HR across their main contributors. On the pitching side, senior Ava Matthews has carried the load (88.2 IP, 4.34 ERA), but her 50 walks and 10 home runs allowed speak to control issues and vulnerability to the long ball. The rest of the staff has struggled badly: senior Alexandra Steffano and freshman Maggie Long have combined for an ERA north of 8.00, giving up 9 additional home runs and 61 earned runs in just 50 innings. Against an offense like Lake Brantley’s, that lack of depth and run suppression is a serious liability.
Pick: Lake Brantley. The Patriots hit too well and pitch too consistently for Seminole to keep pace. This one looks lopsided on paper, and probably will be on the field.
(4) Atlantic Coast vs. (5) Apopka
Atlantic Coast has put together a solid season with balanced offense and dependable pitching. Freshman Stella Lynton leads the team with a .427 average and 41 hits, while junior Emma Cano (.388) and sophomore Morgan Brown (.385) contribute to a team-wide .321 average. Though the team lacks home run power—just 4 on the year—they make contact and put the ball in play, with 245 total hits in 27 games. In the circle, Brown has logged 103.2 innings with a 1.89 ERA, giving up just 28 earned runs and walking only 17. She’s backed by freshman Lily Maguire (2.90 ERA, 72.1 IP), giving Atlantic Coast two dependable arms with ERAs under 3.00 and a combined strikeout-to-walk ratio near 5:1. That kind of control helps them stay in games, even against stronger lineups.
Apopka enters as the No. 5 seed with an offense that’s far more explosive. Junior Taylor Smith is the most dangerous bat in the region, hitting .507 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI in just 73 at-bats—numbers that demand every pitcher’s attention. She’s not alone. Riley Ford (.484), Alicia Lopez (.471), and Ava Gonzalez (.403) all bat above .400, and six different players have driven in at least 17 runs. That depth and power make Apopka a threat to score quickly and in bunches. On the mound, they’re solid but less dominant. Ava Millspaugh (2.61 ERA, 77.2 IP) has been effective, allowing just one home run all year, and Sydney Bartkin adds a respectable 2.30 ERA in 42.2 innings. While their strikeout totals aren’t eye-popping, they don’t give up much hard contact either—only 6 HR allowed as a staff across more than 140 innings.
Pick: Apopka. Atlantic Coast has two solid arms and a lineup that can manufacture runs, but Apopka’s firepower up and down the order is a tier above. Unless Morgan Brown completely neutralizes Taylor Smith—and not many have—Apopka should win this one with run production too steady for Atlantic Coast to match.
(3) Spruce Creek vs. (6) Creekside
Spruce Creek is anchored by one of the most efficient pitching staffs in Region 1. Aubrey Yeary has thrown 105.2 innings with a 1.59 ERA, allowing just 24 earned runs and striking out 170. Opponents are hitting just .157 against her, and she’s given up only 5 home runs all year. Reese Cianciarulo adds 35 innings with a 1.60 ERA, making this a rare staff with two sub-2.00 arms. Offensively, the Hawks are led by Alexis Minaberry (.447 AVG, 8 2B, 6 HR), Meagan Cowoski (.391), and Taylor Ferrandino (.355, 23 RBI). They don’t have overwhelming power—11 HR among the core group—but they hit at a high average and drive in runs efficiently, with a strong collective OBP.
Creekside comes in with good numbers but faces a tall task here. Junior Presley Brinkley (.391 AVG, 28 RBI) is the top producer, with help from sophomores Hailey Cunningham (.384, 20 RBI) and Emma Campbell (.356). Like Atlantic Coast, Creekside doesn’t rely on the long ball—just 17 total team HR—but they put the ball in play and work counts. On the mound, senior Carly Dall (2.28 ERA, 79.2 IP) has been the most reliable, holding opponents to 26 earned runs. Arianna Carrigan (2.53 ERA) provides a second option, though her walk rate is higher and her strikeouts lower. While the team ERA is respectable (under 3.00), they’ll be facing a Spruce Creek lineup that doesn’t strike out much and capitalizes on base runners.
Pick: Spruce Creek. Creekside is fundamentally sound, but Yeary’s dominance in the circle and the Hawks’ consistency at the plate give them the edge. Unless Creekside gets a standout offensive performance early, this will likely be a low-scoring game that favors the team with the best pitcher—and that’s Spruce Creek.
(2) Hagerty vs. (7) University (Orange City)
Hagerty brings a lineup built around senior production. Alexandra Beldowicz (.483 AVG, 13 2B, 5 HR) and Ana Roman (.481, 8 HR, 30 RBI) give the Huskies a powerful 1-2 punch, with Alexis Felker (.353) and Hannah Hargrave (.321) adding depth. As a team, they’ve hit 20 home runs and feature multiple players with extra-base hit potential. On the mound, senior Ella Verne has been the most effective, posting a 1.58 ERA in 35.1 innings with 52 strikeouts and only 7 walks. Alexis Williamson (3.26 ERA) has logged more innings (73), but with a higher hit and earned run total. Freshman Addison Dilger (3.44 ERA) adds depth, but Hagerty will likely ride the hot hand in Verne unless trouble arises.
University (Orange City) enters with decent top-line stats at the plate. Addison Pertler (.432 AVG, 35 H, 26 RBI) and Olivia Boon (.365) are reliable contact hitters, and Bella Delgado (.333) and Nina Rios-Cruz (.325) round out a respectable top four. However, team power is minimal—just 4 HR from their regulars—and that limits their ability to play from behind. More concerning is the pitching. Kendall Lee (3.04 ERA) and Boon (4.62 ERA) have combined for over 150 innings but have allowed 81 earned runs and 12 home runs between them. Lee has 97 strikeouts but also 37 walks, and Boon has surrendered 106 hits in 80.1 innings, suggesting Hagerty’s lineup should have no trouble putting the ball in play.
Pick: Hagerty. University has a few solid bats but doesn’t have the pitching depth or run prevention to withstand Hagerty’s senior-heavy offense. If Verne starts, this game could be over early.
Semifinal
(1) Lake Brantley vs. (5) Apopka
This is the first real test for Lake Brantley, and it comes against a lineup that has done nothing but hit all year. Apopka brings in six starters hitting .375 or better and has out-homered Lake Brantley 19 to 17 among their top six hitters. Taylor Smith (.507, 13 HR, 44 RBI) is the most dangerous bat in the bracket, and with three other players slugging over .500, Brantley’s pitching will be under pressure.
That said, Brantley has more lineup depth and more reliable run prevention. Their top five hitters all bat .346 or better, with Turner (.540) and Sprague (.485) combining for 13 HR and 64 RBI. Their ability to hit for both power and contact consistently is what separates them. On the mound, Brantley gets the edge. Rosales and Compton may not blow hitters away, but they’ve combined for 23 wins and have allowed only 12 HR in 160 innings. Apopka’s Millspaugh and Bartkin have kept the ERA down (combined 2.49), but with fewer strikeouts and less margin for error.
If this game turns into a slugfest, Apopka has the weapons to hang. But over seven innings, Brantley’s deeper lineup and steadier pitching likely wear them down.
Pick: Lake Brantley. Closer than their quarterfinal, but Brantley’s balance and consistency get them through.
(2) Hagerty vs. (3) Spruce Creek
This is a classic contrast: Hagerty’s offense against Spruce Creek’s pitching. The numbers speak clearly—Hagerty’s top two hitters, Beldowicz and Roman, have 15 home runs between them and a combined .482 average. As a team, they hit .360+ through the top six spots and average nearly a home run per game. If they’re hitting, they’re dangerous.
But Spruce Creek has the best pitcher in the region. Aubrey Yeary (1.59 ERA, 170 K in 105.2 IP) has shut down better lineups and has the numbers to prove it—just 5 HR allowed all season, and a WHIP barely over 1.00. The key here is whether Hagerty can force her into high pitch counts and crack through in the middle innings. Offensively, Spruce Creek doesn’t have the same raw power but doesn’t need it—Minaberry (.447, 6 HR), Cowoski (.391), and Ferrandino (.355) give them steady production, and they’ve done it against solid competition.
The question becomes: will one elite pitcher beat one elite lineup? Based strictly on the numbers, the better bet in postseason softball is usually the arm.
Pick: Spruce Creek. Yeary controls the game, and the Hawks do just enough at the plate to back her up.
Region 1 Final – (1) Lake Brantley vs. (3) Spruce Creek
This would be a matchup between two teams with clear identities: Brantley wins with offensive depth and steady pitching, while Spruce Creek relies on elite run prevention and timely hitting. Brantley’s core of Turner, Sprague, and Morris has driven in 90+ runs and hit 19 HR, and they’re supported by a lineup that doesn’t dip much even in the 6–9 spots. They can score early, string together innings, and punish mistakes. Pitching-wise, they don’t miss bats like Yeary does, but Rosales and Compton don’t give up many free bases and have combined for 23 wins without a loss.
Spruce Creek’s path to victory relies on Yeary controlling the tempo. She’s held teams under a .160 average and struck out 170, but she hasn’t faced a lineup with this many power threats in a single game. Even if she limits the damage through five innings, Brantley’s ability to extend at-bats and make adjustments late is what gives them the edge. Offensively, Spruce Creek needs a big game from Minaberry or Ferrandino to stay close—they can’t win 1–0 here.
Brantley’s hitting depth and reliable pitching staff give them more ways to win. They’ve put up the best numbers all season and haven’t shown a crack yet.
Region Champion Pick: Lake Brantley. Too deep, too consistent, and too much firepower for even Yeary to hold down across seven innings.
Region 2
Quarterfinal
(1) Wellington vs. (8) Vero Beach
Wellington comes in with the best pitching staff in the region, hands down. Senior Tori Payne (1.11 ERA, 95 K in 82.1 IP) has been dominant, allowing just 13 earned runs all year. And if that’s not enough, freshman Grace VanDyke (0.37 ERA in 38.1 IP) has been even stingier, giving up just two earned runs and walking only six across 151 batters faced. Together, they’ve combined for a 0.87 ERA over 120 innings. That’s elite. The offense isn’t fully detailed, but with pitching that strong, they haven’t needed to win slugfests. They’ve allowed just one home run all year.
Vero Beach, by contrast, is leaking runs. Gabrielle Espich (3.50 ERA in 98 IP) and freshman Taylor Stevens (3.66 ERA) have combined to give up 72 earned runs in 142 innings. That includes 100+ walks and 6 home runs. They’ll need to play perfect defense behind a staff with command issues. Offensively, Kylie Williams (.373, 28 H, 23 RBI) and Espich (.387) are solid, but the team lacks power and depth. Scoring opportunities will be limited against this Wellington rotation.
Pick: Wellington. Vero Beach just doesn’t have the run prevention to keep up. This should be a clean, low-scoring win for the top seed.
(4) Centennial vs. (5) Palm Beach Central
This matchup is tighter than the seeding suggests. Centennial’s offense is built around senior Hailey Brereton (.471, 4 HR, 24 RBI), freshman Rayne Cohen (.412), and junior Myrna Pratt (.380). There’s contact and a little bit of power—Brereton leads with 10 XBH. She’s also their ace, throwing 116 innings with a 1.63 ERA and 206 strikeouts. That’s a serious two-way threat. Her 44 walks and 3 HR allowed in 493 batters faced are very manageable numbers, and she’s kept opponents to just 27 earned runs.
Palm Beach Central doesn’t have as much swing-and-miss stuff in the circle. Freshman Kacie Riggan (2.52 ERA, 79 K in 83.1 IP) has been solid, but she’s allowed 30 earned runs and walked 35. The Broncos rely on contact hitting—senior Ava Regoli (.447, 9 2B, 22 RBI) and Alexia Sullo (.373) give them solid production—but team-wide there’s limited power (only 2 HR from regulars). They’ll need to string hits together to beat Brereton, which is tough when she’s striking out more than 1.5 batters per inning.
Pick: Centennial. Brereton is the best player on the field, and she gives them the edge in both the circle and the box. Palm Beach Central could make it interesting, but Centennial has the better arm and the better run producer.
(3) St. Cloud vs. (6) Boone
St. Cloud is 21–5 but comes in with no available stats, which makes them a tough read. What we do know is that they’ve won consistently, and as a 3-seed they’ve likely faced a decent slate. Still, Boone has real offensive firepower. Sophomore Ava Solberg is hitting .500 with 9 home runs and 39 RBI in 76 at-bats—those are MVP-level numbers. She’s supported by senior Emma Wolfgramm (.437, 2 HR, 25 RBI) and junior Sarai Collazo (.391). As a team, Boone’s top four hitters have combined for 20 extra-base hits and 90+ RBI.
But Boone’s pitching is shaky. Junior Samantha Johnson has a 3.57 ERA in 53 innings, with more walks (42) than strikeouts (41). She’s also allowed 5 home runs in 271 batters faced. That’s a red flag against playoff-caliber opponents. If St. Cloud has even an average lineup, they could take advantage of Johnson’s control issues.
Pick: St. Cloud. Without stats, it’s hard to go all-in—but Boone’s pitching is a concern, and St. Cloud’s 21–5 record suggests they’ve handled teams like this before.
(2) Jupiter vs. (7) Cypress Creek
Jupiter has one of the most efficient pitching arms in the region in Sasha Seidel. In 118 innings, she’s allowed just 16 earned runs and 54 hits while striking out 178. Her ERA sits at 0.95, and the opponent batting average is under .130. That’s frontline production. At the plate, Seidel also leads the team with a .492 average and 35 RBI. Sam Basen (.480, 8 3B), Luca Honsberger (.394), and Ainsley Graybeal (.373) give the Warriors one of the deeper top-four lineups in Region 2. They have speed, pop, and excellent on-base production.
Cypress Creek, on the other hand, has some offensive stars but not enough pitching to contain a team like Jupiter. Senior Amaris Lozada is hitting an absurd .645 with 11 doubles and 2 HR, while Amanda Cintron (.472) and Britney Freitez (.400) round out a powerful trio. But the problem is on the mound. Cintron (3.08 ERA, 106.2 IP) has allowed 135 hits and 47 earned runs. Brianna Velez (8.83 ERA) has been hit hard in limited work. Between them, they’ve given up 10 HR and nearly 120 total runs.
Pick: Jupiter. Cypress Creek can swing it, but Seidel is the best all-around player in this matchup—and their pitching just doesn’t hold up against a lineup this deep.
Semifinal
Region 2 Final – (1) Wellington vs. (2) Jupiter
On paper, this looked like a coin-flip: two of the best pitching staffs in 7A, nearly identical ERA and strikeout numbers, and offenses with just enough punch to win close games. But here’s the difference—Wellington has already beaten Jupiter twice this season. In a matchup this tight, that tips the scales in a meaningful way.
Wellington’s staff remains its most significant asset. Tori Payne (1.11 ERA, 95 K) and freshman Grace VanDyke (0.37 ERA, 51 K) have combined to allow just 15 earned runs in 120+ innings. They’ve faced nearly 500 batters and surrendered one home run all year. Their command is sharp, their strikeouts are high, and their results are consistent. Even if Jupiter’s lineup, which includes standout hitters like Sasha Seidel (.492, 35 RBI), Sam Basen (.480), and Honsberger (.394), grinds out a few base runners, runs will be hard to come by.
The previous two meetings prove it. Wellington knows how to navigate this lineup and execute under pressure. We don’t have Wellington’s offensive stats, but their ability to win low-scoring games behind elite pitching has already been tested and validated against this exact opponent.
Final Pick: Wellington. The pitching speaks for itself, and the head-to-head record confirms it. The Wolverines are moving on to the Final Four.
Region 3
Quarterfinal
1) East Ridge vs. (8) Windermere
East Ridge brings one of the most well-rounded lineups in the bracket. Three hitters—Lelia Bolden (.481), Lilly Land (.475), and Veronica Peterson (.464)—are all producing at a high clip, with Peterson racking up 45 runs and 9 triples. The offense doesn’t rely on home runs (just 7 among the key hitters), but it’s explosive in other ways: gap power, speed, and run production up and down the order. In the circle, senior Sariah Espada (2.62 ERA, 91 IP) has been steady, though not overpowering—her 50 walks are high, but she keeps the ball in the park (just 2 HR allowed). Sophomore Simmone Hymiller (1.87 ERA) is a solid second arm.
Windermere counters with one of the hottest hitting top-fives in the state. Tessa Olofson (.529), Sabrina Boyer (.524), and Sophie Shaik (.453) lead a lineup hitting .456 as a group, with plenty of power—11 home runs and 31 extra-base hits between them. But the problem is the pitching. Lauren Harper (3.37 ERA, 40 ER in 83 IP) and Sophia Margelos (5.14 ERA, 34 ER in 46.1 IP) have allowed 17 home runs and nearly 100 earned runs combined. Against a patient, high-contact offense like East Ridge, that’s dangerous.
Pick: East Ridge. Windermere can hit, but their pitching won’t hold against this many consistent bats. Expect a high-scoring game, but East Ridge advances.
(4) Venice vs. (5) Sarasota
This is one of the best matchups of the entire round. Venice has five hitters batting over .375 and four with 20+ RBI. Raionna Smith (.487), Kaylin Smith (.475), and Riley Sullivan (.453) power a contact-heavy offense that also has sneaky pop—8 HR among the top five. In the circle, Jayde Neptune (1.73 ERA in 113.1 IP) has been reliable, walking just 12 all season, and Olivia Wilkie (1.18 ERA) gives them a clean second option.
Sarasota might be even deeper offensively. Sommer Speers (.519), Gianna Williams (.439), and Ashlan Guengerich (.437, 42 RBI) headline a team with power (7 HR among top four) and serious production. Pitching is close—Sciesinski (0.98 ERA), Guengerich (1.91), and Mulhollen (2.20) have combined to allow just 16 home runs across 145+ innings, and they’re effective by committee.
It’s essentially a coin flip. Both teams can hit, both have steady arms, and both have won consistently. But Sarasota’s trio of pitchers allows them to mix and match better late, and Guengerich gives them a true two-way star.
Pick: Sarasota. The offense is just a tick more potent, and the pitching staff slightly deeper.
(3) Riverview Sarasota vs. (6) Sumner
Riverview is anchored by one of the best all-around players in the bracket: Allison Cole (.448 AVG, 8 2B, 2 HR at the plate; 0.34 ERA, 272 K, 7 ER in 145.1 IP in the circle). She’s been dominant—allowing just 73 hits and 16 walks in over 145 innings, while striking out nearly two batters per frame. Offensively, she’s supported by Sierra Lipton (.372) and Ella Trandem (.364), both of whom provide consistent contact and run production.
Sumner hits well across the board. They’ve got five starters batting .350 or better, led by Aliyanis Stubbs (.444, 10 2B, 6 3B) and Jaelyn Joiner (.407). They don’t have huge power numbers (just 2 HR combined), but they get on base and pressure defenses. Pitching, however, is the blind spot—Sumner didn’t report staff stats, but that in itself is a concern when facing a pitcher of Cole’s caliber.
Pick: Riverview Sarasota. Too much Cole, and not enough resistance on the mound for Sumner to counter.
(2) Newsome vs. (7) George Jenkins
Newsome is built on pitching. Allyson Conner (1.33 ERA, 110 K, just 23 ER in 120.2 IP) is a workhorse who pounds the strike zone and limits damage. Haley Galvan (2.18 ERA) adds support. At the plate, Arriana Williams (.455) and Sarai Nicholas (.364) lead a deep lineup that hits for average but not much power—just 3 HR total between their top five hitters. Still, they’re consistent, and they put the ball in play.
George Jenkins is solid, but likely overmatched here. Kamryn Pickering (.443, 3 HR, 29 RBI) and Jazlyn Duque (.400) are strong contributors, and their staff has been respectable—three pitchers with ERAs under 2.10, led by Layla Hinojosa (2.04 ERA, 113 K in 79 IP). But Jenkins’ offense doesn’t match Newsome’s efficiency, and they’ve given up 5 HR across 150 innings—slightly more than you’d want against a disciplined, contact-heavy group like Newsome.
Pick: Newsome. If Conner is sharp, Jenkins won’t get many chances. Newsome’s contact approach and strong staff carry them through.
Semifinal
(1) East Ridge vs. (5) Sarasota
This isn’t a mismatch—it’s a clash between one of the region’s deepest lineups and one of its most balanced teams. Sarasota had the edge in ERA spread across three pitchers—Sciesinski (0.98), Guengerich (1.91), and Mulhollen (2.20)—and brought a strong offense led by Sommer Speers (.519) and Ashlan Guengerich (.437, 42 RBI). But East Ridge had a clear edge in top-end production.
Start with the bats: East Ridge’s core trio—Bolden, Land, and Peterson—combine for 103 hits, 65 runs, and 22 extra-base hits, including 9 triples from Peterson alone. That’s elite. Sarasota had four hitters above .385, but none with that kind of explosive speed/power combo.
On the mound, East Ridge doesn’t have a sub-1.00 ERA ace, but Sariah Espada (2.62 ERA) and Simmone Hymiller (1.87) have combined for over 120 innings, limiting home runs and giving their offense room to win games. Espada’s 50 walks in 91 IP is a red flag, but it didn’t burn them here.
What swung it: Power and run production. East Ridge’s offense broke through late against a good staff. They didn’t have to dominate—they just had to outslug.
Pick: East Ridge. Too much firepower. They handle Sarasota in a high-scoring semifinal and move on to face Riverview Sarasota.
(2) Newsome vs. (3) Riverview Sarasota
This is as tight as it gets. Newsome’s success rides on junior pitcher Allyson Conner, who’s been elite all season—1.33 ERA, 110 strikeouts in 120.2 innings, and only 23 earned runs. She’s backed by a consistent, contact-first offense led by Arriana Williams (.455) and Sarai Nicholas (.364), both with on-base skills and gap power. They’ve hit only 3 HR all year, but they don’t need the long ball to generate runs.
Riverview Sarasota, meanwhile, has the ultimate trump card: Allison Cole. She’s hitting .448 with 30 hits and 22 RBI, and on the mound, her numbers are even better—0.34 ERA, 272 K, just 7 ER in 145.1 IP. She’s one of the best pitchers in the entire state, and the stats show she can carry games by herself. The offense around her—Lipton (.372), Trandem (.364)—doesn’t need to be flashy. They just need to scratch out one or two runs.
This game likely comes down to who scores first. Both Conner and Cole are capable of throwing shutouts, but Cole’s dominance—both in terms of strikeouts and contact suppression—is at another level.
Pick: Riverview Sarasota. Conner is excellent. Cole is just better. One run may decide it.
Region 3 Final: (1) East Ridge vs. (3) Riverview Sarasota
This is a classic clash: the team with more firepower versus the team with the best arm in the bracket. East Ridge comes in with a loaded lineup—three hitters above .460 and more extra-base production than their seeding may suggest. Veronica Peterson (.464, 9 triples, 45 runs) is a constant scoring threat, and Lelia Bolden (.481, 7 doubles, 3 triples) and Lilly Land (.475, 33 RBI) give East Ridge a relentless top of the order. They don’t need the long ball to score in bunches—but they’ve got enough pop to do it when needed.
Riverview Sarasota leans entirely on senior ace Allison Cole. Her numbers are ridiculous—0.34 ERA, 272 strikeouts, and just 7 earned runs in 145.1 innings. She’s also hitting .448 with 30 hits and 22 RBI, which makes her the most valuable two-way player left in the region. But there’s a ceiling to that. If East Ridge can force long at-bats, drive pitch counts up, or capitalize on a rare mistake, the pressure shifts to an offense that doesn’t have the same production. Lipton (.372) and Trandem (.364) are solid, but there’s not the same threat level one through seven.
In the end, Cole can only control so much. East Ridge has the deeper lineup, more run producers, and a balanced staff led by Espada (2.62 ERA) that doesn’t need to overpower—just keep Cole’s lineup in check. The numbers say Cole gives Riverview a puncher’s chance. But East Ridge gives you more ways to win.
Region Champion Pick: East Ridge. More offense, more depth, more answers. They outlast Riverview and punch their ticket to the Final Four.
Region 4
Quarterfinal
(1) Coral Reef vs. (8) Palmetto
Coral Reef enters with one of the more balanced lineups in the bracket. Five starters are hitting .380 or better, with Chloe Junco (.400, 25 RBI), Brianna Fields (.380, 4 HR), and Avery Clegg (.389, 28 H) providing consistent contact and run production. The staff is led by junior Quinley Wylie (1.89 ERA, 92 K), who’s been solid across 107.1 IP with only 16 walks and 2 HR allowed. The wild card is junior Erin Zambrano—she’s posted a 0.42 ERA with 48 K in 33 innings, but her injury status could dramatically affect Coral Reef’s ceiling. If she’s available, this staff becomes elite.
Palmetto hits the ball—hard and often. They boast five hitters over .400, including Alicia Thomason (.517), Madeleine Baldwin (.516), and Lauren Falls (.508), with a combined 93 hits and 75 RBI. The issue is in the circle. Their two main pitchers—Falls (6.33 ERA) and Diener (10.36 ERA)—have allowed 111 earned runs in 107.1 innings, and been hit around for 210 hits. Against a lineup as consistent as Coral Reef’s, that’s a recipe for a long day.
Pick: Coral Reef. Even if Zambrano sits, Wylie should be enough to control a one-dimensional Palmetto team that simply doesn’t have the arms to survive in this bracket.
(4) West Broward vs. (5) Spanish River
West Broward brings a strong combination of contact, power, and pitching depth. Alivia Artanis (.491), Cyara Geronimo (.474, 5 triples), and Victoria Carmona (.413) give them a lineup that can manufacture runs and hit for power—Geronimo and Solorzano each have multiple home runs. In the circle, sophomore Cheyanne Chaffin (1.82 ERA, 109 K in 96 IP) and senior Lundyn Schor-Haskin (2.16 ERA) form a strong one-two punch. Chaffin’s control isn’t perfect (58 BB), but she misses bats and has limited opponents to just 4 home runs across nearly 100 innings.
Spanish River is built on its pitching. Giselle Portanova (1.67 ERA, 109 K in 84 IP) has been strong all year, allowing just 20 earned runs. Abygail Gonzalez (1.97 ERA) is a solid complement. But the lineup remains a question mark—we don’t have hitting stats, and that’s an issue when facing a team that can hit top to bottom. If Portanova doesn’t get run support, the pressure builds fast.
Pick: West Broward. Spanish River’s pitching is strong enough to keep it close, but West Broward has more known offensive production and two arms they trust.
(3) Park Vista vs. (6) Stoneman Douglas
Park Vista’s offense is built around elite contact and sneaky power. Four starters are hitting over .420, led by Angeline Mergen (.448, 6 2B, 2 HR), Hannah Durante (.431, 4 HR), and Isabella Golas (.423). This is a team that can barrel up pitching and string together multi-run innings. Mergen also leads the staff in the circle (3.08 ERA), logging 93.1 innings with 90 strikeouts. She has allowed 7 home runs, which is a concern, but she controls the pace of games.
Stoneman Douglas has a competitive lineup—Addison Zajkowski (.443, 10 doubles, 2 HR) and freshman Dani Rincon (.362) lead a group that’s been steady, if not overpowering. In the circle, Zajkowski also leads the team with a 2.95 ERA over 92.2 IP, striking out 109 but walking 41. Kaitlin Enright (2.20 ERA) adds depth, but control is an issue (25 BB in 41 IP), and the staff has allowed 6 home runs total.
The matchup leans on consistency: Park Vista hits top to bottom and has the more proven big-game hitters. Douglas can keep it close if they control the top third, but Mergen’s two-way ability gives Park Vista the edge.
Pick: Park Vista. More bats, more damage potential, and a pitcher who can go the distance.
(2) Western vs. (7) Coral Glades
Western is powered by junior Ali Solo—on both sides of the ball. In the circle, she’s logged 128.1 innings with a 2.24 ERA, 155 strikeouts, and only 2 home runs allowed. At the plate, she hits .306 with 4 HR. The offense around her is steady—Hanna Turner (.393), Analie Diaz (.379), and freshman Kristina Kuma (.356) round out a lineup that doesn’t overpower you but produces runs. The Wildcats keep pressure on with smart baserunning and gap-to-gap hitting.
Coral Glades has some star power in the lineup. Briana Escobar (.466, 3 HR, 32 RBI) and Cameron Marques (.418) are legitimate hitters, and D. Soto (.409) gives them a solid third threat. But their pitching is a major liability. Schwartzberg (3.84 ERA), Thomas (4.64 ERA), and Shurpin (20.32 ERA) have combined to allow 79 earned runs in 108.2 IP, including 9 home runs and 61 walks. That won’t hold up against a team that puts balls in play consistently.
Pick: Western. Too solid, too steady, and too sharp on the mound. Escobar might make noise, but Coral Glades can’t stop the run game or big innings.
Semifinal
(1) Coral Reef vs. (4) West Broward
Coral Reef’s lineup is deep and efficient. Five hitters are batting above .380, and Brianna Fields (.380, 4 HR), Avery Clegg (.389), and Chloe Junco (.400) lead a group that puts the ball in play, hits for average, and drives in runs. The key, though, is the circle. If Erin Zambrano (0.42 ERA, 48 K in 33 IP) is healthy, Coral Reef has a dominant 1-2 combo. If she’s not, all innings fall to Quinley Wylie (1.89 ERA, 107 IP), who has been solid but more hittable than elite.
West Broward presents a balanced challenge. Geronimo (.474, 5 3B), Artanis (.491), and Carmona (.413) create problems at the top, and their arms—Chaffin (1.82 ERA, 109 K) and Schor-Haskin (2.16 ERA)—keep teams from running away. Chaffin walks more hitters (58 BB), but she limits damage. This isn’t a team that folds.
If Zambrano is still out, this is tight. Coral Reef’s offense will score, but West Broward can match tempo. The difference might be situational pitching—Coral Reef has been in more high-leverage games and has better contact-to-power ratios across the lineup.
Pick: Coral Reef. Wylie and the offense do enough. If Zambrano returns, they win comfortably. If not, they grind it out in six or seven innings.
(2) Western vs. (3) Park Vista
This is a matchup of execution versus production. Western is led by Ali Solo in the circle—2.24 ERA, 128.1 IP, 155 K, and only 2 HR allowed all year. She’s been their go-to, and the offense around her is efficient if unspectacular. Turner (.393), Diaz (.379), and Kuma (.356) give them high-contact bats but only modest power (3 HR total among them). This is a team that wins 4–2, not 9–6.
Park Vista brings more offensive firepower. Four hitters are over .420, including Mergen (.448), Durante (.431, 4 HR), and Golas (.423). As a staff, they’ve given up more runs (Mergen’s ERA is 3.08), and allowed more long balls (8 HR total). Mergen has thrown 93 innings with 90 strikeouts and 74 walks, so control is an issue—especially against a disciplined team like Western.
This is the classic “can the power team crack the ace?” game. Mergen has the bats to back her up, but Solo has been the more dominant arm all season.
Pick: Western. It’s close, but Solo’s command and experience win the day. Park Vista needs a big inning to pull this off—and Solo just doesn’t give those up.
Region 4 Final – (1) Coral Reef vs. (2) Western
If this holds, it’s a matchup of the region’s most balanced offense against its most reliable arm.
Coral Reef’s top five hitters combine for 134 hits and 88 RBI. They don’t strike out much, and they have speed, contact, and enough pop to punish mistakes—especially Fields (4 HR) and Junco (.400). In the circle, Wylie has carried the load at 1.89 ERA, and if Zambrano (0.42 ERA, 48 K, 12 hits allowed in 33 IP) is healthy, the game changes dramatically—she’s the most dominant pitcher in the region per-inning.
Western is going to ride Solo again. She’s faced 547 batters this year and given up just 2 home runs. Her strikeout numbers (155) and workload (128 IP) are among the best in the class, and she gives them a fighting chance against any lineup. But she’s doing it without much margin—Western scores in small doses, and they don’t have the same offensive ceiling.
If Zambrano plays, Coral Reef likely wins this 3–1 or 4–2. If she doesn’t, it’s a grind. Either way, the lineup depth and contact quality favor Coral Reef.
Region Champion Pick: Coral Reef. More ways to score, more balance throughout the roster, and enough pitching—especially if Zambrano returns—to take the title.
2025 FHSAA 7A Final Four Preview
Semifinal 1: No. 1 Lake Brantley vs. No. 4 East Ridge
📍 Clermont-style slugfest meets Altamonte efficiency
Lake Brantley brings in the best resume in 7A—undefeated, unflinching, and unforgiving at the plate. They’ve leaned on an absurdly productive core: Auriana Turner (.540, 47 H, 28 RBI), Rylin Sprague (.485, 5 HR, 36 RBI), and Kayla Morris (.346, 8 HR) headline an offense that’s hit 24 home runs and scored early and often. They don’t need small ball—they hit gaps, leave yards, and make pitchers pay for misses. In the circle, Belle Rosales (2.86 ERA) and Lauren Compton (3.09 ERA) have been effective, not flashy—but they haven’t needed to dominate because the lineup takes care of business.
East Ridge, though, is no soft draw. They’ve earned this shot with a top-heavy but dangerous lineup: Veronica Peterson (.464, 45 R, 9 3B), Lilly Land (.475, 33 RBI), and Lelia Bolden (.481, 26 H) are all hitting near or above .475. And while they don’t have the same home run count as Brantley, they do real damage—particularly with Peterson’s wheels. In the circle, Sariah Espada (2.62 ERA) has carried the bulk of the work, and while the ERA is solid, the 50 walks in 91 IP could get exposed by a lineup as disciplined as Brantley’s.
Bottom line? East Ridge can score with anyone. But against Lake Brantley, you have to pitch clean innings and limit free passes—and that’s a tall order for a staff that’s prone to giving up base runners.
Pick: Lake Brantley. The offense is too deep, and unless East Ridge turns this into a 10–8 shootout, Brantley’s efficiency wins out. Patriots move to the final.
Semifinal 2: No. 2 Wellington vs. No. 3 Coral Reef
📍 Strike zones shrink, and margin for error vanishes
Wellington’s formula is simple: dominate in the circle, and grind out enough runs to win low-scoring games. Senior Tori Payne (1.11 ERA, 95 K) and freshman Grace VanDyke (0.37 ERA, 51 K) have allowed just 15 earned runs combined in over 120 innings. That’s ridiculous. Opponents don’t score often, and when they do, it’s usually one run at a time. Wellington hasn’t needed big offense because they squeeze teams into submission.
Coral Reef has a different look. They’re balanced, and if Zambrano (0.42 ERA) is fully healthy, they may have the best pitcher on the field. If not, it’s all on Quinley Wylie (1.89 ERA), who’s been solid but less overpowering. Offensively, they’re built to handle elite pitching—five starters hit .380 or better, and Brianna Fields (.380, 4 HR) is a difference-maker. They don’t chase, they move runners, and they don’t need 10 hits to score three runs.
This could be a one-run game. Both staffs are elite. It comes down to which lineup handles pressure best—and whether Coral Reef has two arms or one.
Pick: Wellington. They’ve already survived a tougher regional bracket and beat Jupiter twice. If Zambrano isn’t 100%, Wellington edges this with sharper execution and late-game pitching.
Final
The 2025 FHSAA 7A State Championship pits undefeated No. 1 Lake Brantley against No. 2 Wellington in a classic offense-versus-pitching showdown. Lake Brantley rolls in with a thunderous lineup led by Auriana Turner (.540), Rylin Sprague (.485), and Kayla Morris (.346, 8 HR), a group that’s powered them to 28 straight wins and over 20 team home runs. Their pitchers, Belle Rosales (2.86 ERA) and Lauren Compton (3.09), haven’t needed to be dominant—just steady—because the offense applies constant pressure. Wellington, meanwhile, thrives on run prevention with one of the best staffs in the state: Tori Payne (1.11 ERA) and freshman Grace VanDyke (0.37 ERA) have combined to allow just 15 earned runs all year. The Wolverines beat elite lineups with sharp execution, soft contact, and total command of the strike zone—but they haven’t faced a team like Brantley. If Brantley grinds out at-bats and finds one big inning, it’s likely enough; if Wellington keeps them off balance and limits base runners, it could flip. But in the end, Lake Brantley’s depth and power win out.
Prediction: Lake Brantley 4, Wellington 2. The Patriots finish a perfect season and hoist the 7A state title.
