* Updated 5/5/2025 – Note the podcast still has the old rankings. The preview below is updated to reflect the final rankings.

The Class 3A state tournament brings depth, balance, and more than a little edge. From proven programs with hardware in the trophy case to hungry squads looking to make their first deep run, this bracket is loaded with intrigue. Elite pitching, explosive lineups, and regional battles that feel like state title games — it’s all here. There’s no safe path to Longwood, and no such thing as a comfortable seed. If you’re looking for chaos, composure, and championship-caliber softball, 3A might just deliver the best ride of all.

Did you know that our content now has its own podcasts?

Listen here: https://youtu.be/DvbyUAjjseU

Region 1

Quarterfinals

(1) Wakulla (Crawfordville) vs. (8) Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville)
Wakulla enters with a top-tier pitching duo in senior Charley Butler (0.58 ERA, 205 K) and junior Aislin Hunter (1.69 ERA), combining for 263 strikeouts across just 155 innings. Offensively, Cylie Long has been an elite power threat (.521 AVG, 8 HR, 25 RBI), and the supporting cast has shown consistent contact and run production.

Bishop Kenny can swing it — four starters are hitting above .330, led by senior Ava Farnham and junior Abby Jackson (combined 51 RBI). But the Achilles heel is pitching: three arms have ERAs above 4.30, and they’ve allowed 23 home runs as a staff. That’s a brutal matchup against a Wakulla offense that punishes mistakes.

Prediction: Wakulla advances behind dominant pitching and timely power.

(4) West Florida (Pensacola) vs. (5) Yulee
West Florida is 12-12 with no available stats, which makes scouting them difficult. But they’ve hovered around .500 all year. Yulee, on the other hand, comes in with three pitchers under a 3.00 ERA and a balanced lineup. Brooklyn Sawyer and Jade Fisher lead a group that may not overwhelm, but doesn’t give away at-bats.

Pitching depth could be the difference — Yulee’s trio of McCoy, Golden, and Robertson have combined for 14 wins and over 150 innings of experience. Against a team with limited public data, that edge could swing the result.

Prediction: Yulee wins in a competitive, low-scoring game.

(3) West Nassau (Callahan) vs. (6) Suwannee (Live Oak)
West Nassau’s offense doesn’t pop statistically, but they’ve found ways to manufacture enough runs. Rylie Turner and Teagan Harter lead the attack, while freshman pitcher Kelsea Bass (1.36 ERA) has shown polish beyond her age.

Suwannee boasts a pair of .440+ hitters in Addison Petersen and Maylee Gabey, and Brianna Woods adds surprising pop (2 HR, 5 triples). But defensively, they’ve been vulnerable — three pitchers have a combined ERA near 5.00 and have allowed 15 home runs.

Prediction: Bass contains Suwannee’s hot bats just enough — West Nassau advances.

(2) Paxon SAS (Jacksonville) vs. (7) South Walton
Paxon’s offense is loaded. Freshmen Maleah Rouse (.545, 8 HR) and Sariyah Jackson (.507, 11 XBH) are relentless at the top, and senior Hayley Hinds gives them over 110 innings of experience in the circle. She’s not overpowering, but she doesn’t walk batters and forces tough contact.

South Walton features the Kreinus sisters (Tatum .586, Zoey .448, 8 HR), who account for much of the offense. But the team ERA is over 5.00, and both starting pitchers have allowed double-digit long balls. That’s dangerous against a lineup with this much slug.

Prediction: Paxon wins a slugfest — too much firepower.

Semifinals

Wakulla vs. Yulee
Yulee has enough pitching to keep it interesting, but Wakulla’s combination of elite arms and middle-of-the-order threats is just too much. Expect the Long–Butler duo to limit extra-base hits and shorten the game.

Prediction: Wakulla by 3–4 runs.

West Nassau vs. Paxon SAS
This could be a sneaky-good matchup. Bass vs. Rouse and Jackson is an elite freshman vs. freshman showdown. West Nassau’s staff may keep it close early, but Paxon’s offense is deeper and more explosive. If they get into the bullpen, it’s over.

Prediction: Paxon pulls away late.

Regional Final

Wakulla vs. Paxon SAS
This one comes down to execution. Wakulla has the better pitching staff, no question, and Butler’s ability to keep the ball in the yard will be tested by Rouse and Jackson. Paxon’s offense is more dangerous, but they haven’t seen many arms like Butler.

In a tight, emotional final, the team with proven shutdown pitching and postseason poise wins out.

Prediction: Wakulla claims the Region 1 crown and books a trip to the 3A Final Four.

Region 2

Quarterfinals

(1) Eustis vs. (8) Mount Dora

Eustis enters as the clear favorite behind an explosive offense. Emmy Luke (.484, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs) and Brooklyn Powhida (.471) form a dangerous top of the order, while Carson Roden (13-4, 129 K) anchors the pitching staff. Mount Dora has had flashes of competitiveness, but their pitching (combined ERA above 3.50) and lack of offensive firepower make this a tall order.

Prediction: Eustis dominates behind the long ball.

(4) South Sumter vs. (5) Astronaut South

Sumter comes in with an impressive offensive core. Maddox Adams (.405), Nathalie Williams (.375, 4 HRs), and Raven Parker (.347, 5 HRs) can do damage throughout the lineup. Astronaut has the edge in the circle with sophomore Riley Miller (1.49 ERA, 109 K), but they lack South Sumter’s lineup depth. If Parker can contain the middle of Astronaut’s order, the Raiders move on.

Prediction: South Sumter survives a low-scoring battle.

(2) Santa Fe vs. (7) The Villages Charter

Santa Fe brings one of the state’s most balanced lineups and pitching staffs. J’lyn Guyden (.485, 46 RBIs) and Madisen Crosby (.517) lead a group that can manufacture runs or go deep. With Makenna Payne (1.98 ERA) and freshman Ryleigh Davis (3.93 ERA) available in the circle, they match up well against a Villages team that relies heavily on Lexy Sanchez and pitcher Emily Thompson (2.20 ERA).

Prediction: Santa Fe pulls away with offensive pressure and solid pitching.

(3) Crystal River vs. (6) Palatka

This matchup is tighter than the seeds suggest. Crystal River leans on the arm of Violet Flynn (0.75 ERA, 284 K in 149 IP), one of the most dominant pitchers in the classification. Palatka, however, is explosive at the plate, with Haleigh Faulkner (.558, 8 HRs) and Zophia Clark (.468) leading a dangerous top half. If Flynn is sharp, Crystal River controls this game. If Palatka gets into the bullpen, look out.

Prediction: Crystal River squeaks by in a tense duel.

Semifinals

(1) Eustis vs. (4) South Sumter

These county rivals know each other well. Eustis has more weapons and a deeper bench, but South Sumter’s power threats can punish mistakes. Ultimately, the trio of Luke, Covino, and Powhida gives Eustis the edge, especially if Roden keeps the walks down.

Prediction: Eustis moves on in a high-scoring affair.

(2) Santa Fe vs. (3) Crystal River

This matchup pits offense versus pitching. Santa Fe’s loaded lineup will need to stay patient against Flynn’s strikeout-heavy approach. If they can put the ball in play and force Crystal River to defend, their depth wins out. The key will be limiting early damage from Flynn at the plate as well.

Prediction: Santa Fe survives a pitcher’s duel and advances.

Regional Final

(1) Eustis vs. (2) Santa Fe

The final would be a heavyweight clash between two of the classification’s best. Both have elite bats and capable aces. This game likely comes down to timely hitting and bullpen composure. With Roden’s postseason experience and the firepower of Luke and Powhida, Eustis gets the final edge. Prediction: Eustis wins Region 2 and heads back to the Final Four.

Region 3

Quarterfinals

(1) Dunedin vs. (8) Boca Ciega
Dunedin enters with a lethal one-two punch at the plate in Abby McLemore (.414, 5 HRs) and Malaea Johnson (.397, 7 HRs), combining for 31 extra-base hits. Add in a staff ERA under 2.00 from McLemore in the circle, and the Falcons look tournament-ready. Boca Ciega can score runs — led by senior Giavanni D’Amico (.574, 36 RBIs) and freshman spark plug Stella Rawlinson — but their pitching staff has a combined ERA over 8.00 and serious control issues.

Prediction: Dunedin cruises.

(2) Academy of the Holy Names vs. (7) DeSoto County
Holy Names features a balanced lineup with Ava LaBarbera (.429) and Faith DeRing (.407) providing spark, but their pitching has been inconsistent. DeSoto has some pop — Emily Skinner (.533) and Ellie Whidden (.409) lead a scrappy offense — and pitcher Caleigh Duke (2.77 ERA) has kept them in games. If AHN’s staff can’t settle in early, this could be closer than expected.

Prediction: Academy of the Holy Names survives a scare.

(3) Lemon Bay vs. (6) McKeel Academy
Lemon Bay leans on senior Taylor Jones (.500) and a hard-hitting lineup, while freshman Reagan Altieri has logged 92 innings in the circle with a respectable 3.65 ERA. McKeel doesn’t have the same experience, but Chloe Lanier (.472) has quietly been one of the best hitters in the region. Pitching depth may be the difference.

Prediction: Lemon Bay moves on in a tight one.

(4) Mulberry vs. (5) Chamberlain
Both teams hit well and have multi-bat threats: Lorianys Castanon Cruz (.447) leads Mulberry, while Daria Bush (.491) and Braylynn Ausman-Hall (.474) power Chamberlain. On the mound, Bush has handled the bulk of the innings (89.2 IP, 151 K), and she could be the x-factor. Mulberry’s arms allow more contact, which might be a problem against a team with this much pop.

Prediction: Chamberlain pulls the upset.

Semifinals
Dunedin vs. Chamberlain
This game comes down to how Chamberlain handles Dunedin’s power bats. If Bush can limit the damage and keep it in the yard, Chamberlain has the offense to hang around. But if Dunedin jumps on early fastballs, they’ll seize control fast.

Prediction: Dunedin advances with timely power and better pitching control.

Academy of the Holy Names vs. Lemon Bay
Expect a tight one here. Holy Names has a more consistent lineup, but Lemon Bay’s pitching is a little steadier. It’ll come down to situational execution.

Prediction: Holy Names squeaks through in a low-scoring duel.

Final
Dunedin is simply deeper — both in offensive firepower and in having a go-to pitcher in McLemore. AHN will need to play error-free defense and capitalize on every base runner to keep pace.

Prediction: Dunedin captures the Region 3 crown.

Region 4

Quarterfinals

(1) Coral Springs Charter vs. (8) Mater Lakes

The Lions have multiple hitters above .500 and a pitching tandem that’s conceded just 21 earned runs all year. Addi Michel (.536), Gia Gurgel (.472, 5 HR), and Heather Robertson (6 HR) form the state’s most dangerous 3-4-5 combo. Mater Lakes has gaudy offensive numbers—Nicole Regalado (.633) and Alanis Leon (.613) are a menace—but they haven’t faced arms like Wahlbrink (1.11 ERA) and Bertorelli (1.18). Expect CSC to flex their depth early.

Prediction: Coral Springs Charter in 4 innings

(4) St. Brendan vs. (5) Pompano Beach

This one feels more like a regional final. St. Brendan’s offense is led by Rachel Rodriguez (.508) and Madisyn Llerandi (.507), while junior Jules Miranda (2.92 ERA) gives them a shot in any matchup. Pompano counters with two-way ace Dani Ebert (.493, 1.72 ERA) and extra-base machine Macayla Rice (.468). If Ebert’s arm holds up, it’s a toss-up. But St. Brendan is deeper 1–9 and more tested.

Prediction: St. Brendan wins a nail-biter, 5–4

(3) Cardinal Gibbons vs. (6) LaBelle

Gibbons leans on workhorse Lydia Berent (0.81 ERA, 215 Ks), and her bat’s been just as sharp (.519, 10 2B). They’ve got four hitters above .360 and a clean defensive profile. LaBelle has some juice—Emorie Anderson (.424) and Abby Hicks (.362) are solid—but their staff ERA north of 5.00 won’t hold here.

Prediction: Cardinal Gibbons pulls away late, 8–2

(2) Somerset Academy vs. (7) Aubrey Rogers

This has trap game potential. Somerset has the frontline offense (Rebhan .442, Stevens .366) and ace in Ava Stevens (1.78 ERA), but Aubrey Rogers can mash—six hitters above .370 and 46 runs from Jayline Martinez (.526). Their issue is pitching: McCroskery (4.31 ERA) has logged 113 innings but gives up a ton of contact. If Somerset’s defense holds, they should slug their way through.

Prediction: Somerset wins 9–6 in a back-and-forth shootout

Semifinals

Coral Springs Charter vs. St. Brendan

The Spartans have big bats, but they’ll need the game of Miranda’s life to dent CSC’s armor. Michel and Gurgel could easily go yard, and the Lions’ depth wears teams down.

Prediction: Coral Springs Charter 6, St. Brendan 1

Cardinal Gibbons vs. Somerset Academy

Berent vs. Stevens would be an ace-on-ace gem. Gibbons likely has the edge in the circle, but Somerset’s offense is more consistent top to bottom. This comes down to who gets the big hit with RISP.

Prediction: Somerset stuns Gibbons, 3–2

Regional Final

Coral Springs Charter vs. Somerset Academy

Two Miami-area powers collide again. Somerset can hang early, but CSC’s pitching and lineup depth—especially late in games—is the separator. Expect Wahlbrink and Bertorelli to split innings and shut the door.

Prediction: Coral Springs Charter returns to the Final Four

Final Four