The road to Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood ends this week, and the 4A and 5A Final Fours are stacked with storylines, star power, and plenty of fireworks waiting to happen. From eighth-grade phenoms to senior sluggers with double-digit homers, the stage is set for two days of must-see softball where one dominant arm—or one swing—could flip everything. Whether it’s the polished powerhouses like American Heritage and Niceville or the upset-minded squads swinging freely and playing loose, every team left has earned its shot. Now it’s time to find out who can finish the job.

Listen: https://youtu.be/erSVZjnFgN8

Game 1: No. 1 American Heritage vs. No. 4 Osceola: 10 AM

The Headliners vs. the Heavy Hitters

American Heritage (22-2) didn’t just beat Key West in the regional final, they shut the door and welded it shut in a 9-0 rout. This is a team that reloads, not rebuilds, and they’re doing it with a shocking amount of youth. Freshman Adrianna Layne is hitting .437 like she’s been doing it for years, and 8th grader Lyric Rodriguez (yes, 8th grade) boasts a nasty 0.92 ERA with 89 strikeouts. If she doesn’t start, freshman Isabella Benton and her own sub-1.00 ERA aren’t exactly a downgrade.

But Osceola (23-7) brings something Heritage hasn’t seen in weeks: legit power. Senior Theresa Diez has left the yard 9 times this season, and junior Angelina Rodriguez is raking at a .482 clip. They hung 12 runs on Clearwater in the regional final, and they’re not shy about swinging early and often. The X-factor? Senior ace Aliyah Lai, who has racked up 176 strikeouts this season. If she can keep the Heritage lineup guessing, this could get interesting in a hurry.

Edge: American Heritage. But if Lai is on and the Warriors slug their way into an early lead, don’t count out the upset.

Game 2: No. 2 Eau Gallie vs. No. 3 Fort Walton Beach: 12 PM

Grit Meets Firepower

Eau Gallie (23-6) got through a scrappy 3-1 regional win over Lake Wales behind solid pitching and timely hitting. That’s their brand—play clean, play tough, and let hitters like senior Gabriella Barrera (.460) and junior Ainsley O’Dell (27 RBI) do just enough to win. Junior pitcher Jordan Stout (2.81 ERA) isn’t overpowering, but she’s been steady, and in May, that counts for a lot.

Fort Walton Beach (21-8) is the bracket’s wildcard—the kind of team you don’t want to see in a one-game scenario. Junior Hannah Isham is hitting a scorching .505, and senior Alyx Hall has 10 bombs on the season. That’s not a typo—double-digit dingers. If they get hot, this offense can run you off the field. Rilyn Douglas (2.86 ERA, 100 K) gives them a chance in the circle, but she’ll need to keep the ball down against an Eau Gallie squad that grinds out at-bats.

Edge: Toss-up. Fort Walton Beach is more explosive, but Eau Gallie’s balance and discipline might be enough to weather the storm.

Experience Meets Explosion, But the Future Runs Through Plantation

If the bracket plays out like expected—and Fort Walton Beach knocks off Eau Gallie while American Heritage handles Osceola—Saturday’s 4A title game might feel like a torch-passing moment. On one side, Fort Walton: power-packed, senior-led, and hunting its first state title since anyone on the roster can remember. On the other, American Heritage: a program that doesn’t rebuild so much as regenerate, now led by a rotation barely old enough to drive.

Fort Walton Beach has the firepower to put pressure on Heritage early. If Alyx Hall is feeling it and Hannah Isham keeps the line moving, this offense can hang crooked numbers in a hurry. It’s the kind of top-heavy lineup that thrives on momentum, and if Rilyn Douglas can keep the game close early, the Patriots could find themselves in a rare fight.

But here’s the rub: American Heritage doesn’t blink. They’ve seen better offenses. They’ve faced tighter games. And they’ve got two ace-caliber arms in Lyric Rodriguez and Isabella Benton—both of whom have ERAs under 1.00. In a title game with adrenaline running high and nerves a factor, having two calm, collected, lights-out options in the circle is a luxury most programs dream about. Oh, and they’ve got bats too. Adrianna Layne is hitting like a seasoned college vet, and Arianna Reynolds brings senior thunder with five homers and a knack for timely hits.

The big question: Can Fort Walton rattle Heritage’s young pitchers early? If they can jump out fast, think 2-0 or 3-1 by the third inning—they’ve got a shot. But if this becomes a pitcher’s duel or a game of execution and small margins, Heritage is too polished, too deep, and too well-coached to let it slip.

Final Score Prediction:
American Heritage 6, Fort Walton Beach 3

Bottom Line: The Patriots’ youth isn’t a weakness; it’s a weapon. With lockdown pitching, a balanced lineup, and a calm demeanor beyond their years, American Heritage looks poised to bring another 4A title back to South Florida. And the scary part? This group might just be getting started.

Welcome to the 5A semifinals, where every team’s got a reason to believe and at least one player who can change the game with a single swing, or a dominant day in the circle. From a freshman phenom to a strikeout queen, from offensive fireworks to white-knuckle finishes, the 5A Final Four is wide open. And that’s exactly what makes it fun.

Game 1: No. 1 Niceville vs. No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas: 2 PM

Niceville’s Ace in the Hole vs. STA’s Sudden Swagger

Don’t let the seeds fool you—this one’s closer than it looks on paper. Niceville (21-6) may be the top dog, but they escaped the regional final by the skin of their teeth, edging Matanzas 1-0. Their success hinges on one dominant force: Chloe Bailey, a sophomore with a jaw-dropping 0.68 ERA and a ridiculous 247 strikeouts over 144.2 innings. That’s video game stuff. When she’s on, teams don’t just struggle to score—they struggle to breathe.

At the plate, another sophomore, Briana Noles, leads the charge. She’s hitting .436 and has left the yard 7 times, giving Niceville the kind of pop they’ll need if Bailey isn’t completely flawless.

Then there’s St. Thomas Aquinas (16-12), the bracket buster. Their resume may not look shiny, but they just stunned Pembroke Pines Charter in an 8-7 shootout and are playing with house money. Melanie Sweet, a freshman, is hitting .415, and Summer Givens brings a senior edge and 25 RBIs to the table. Pitcher Lavinia Miller (1.77 ERA) gives them a fighting chance to keep this one close, but she’ll need help from the defense, because Bailey isn’t likely to give many second chances.

Edge: Niceville. STA has grit, but Bailey’s dominance is the ultimate equalizer.

Game 2: No. 2 Winter Springs vs. No. 3 North Fort Myers: 4 PM

Hot Bats, High Stakes, and One Very Loud Senior

Strap in. This one could get wild.

Winter Springs (22-8) is coming off a convincing 9-3 win over Gainesville and looks like the most balanced team left in 5A. Sophomore Abigail Hooper is raking at a .511 clip, and senior Alondra Madlonado brings thump with 7 home runs. They’re dangerous one through nine. In the circle, Tiffany Seeman (2.36 ERA, 86 Ks) has been solid if not overpowering—but with that offense, she doesn’t need to throw shutouts.

But North Fort Myers (20-7) might be the most dangerous team in the field. They just outslugged Fort Myers 12-11 in a game that probably made every pitching coach in Florida queasy. Offensively, they’re terrifying. Abigail Hynes is batting .607 (yes, really) with 12 home runs, numbers that belong in a summer travel ball highlight reel. Audrie Florenzano is hitting .500, and the lineup doesn’t quit.

While Kaliyah Williams has demonstrated impressive strikeout power with 134 strikeouts and a 3.25 ERA, her pitching will be a key factor in a high-stakes Final Four environment. However, if North’s offense comes alive early, they have the potential to take control of the game.

Edge: Winter Springs, barely. But if Hynes does Hynes things, all bets are off.

Championship Prediction: Niceville vs. Winter Springs

Big Arm vs. Big Bats

If the semis play to form, the final pits Chloe Bailey’s overpowering dominance against Winter Springs’ deep, veteran lineup. This is the classic softball title game tension, can a shutdown pitcher tame a confident offense over seven innings on the biggest stage?

Winter Springs can hit with anybody, but they haven’t faced a pitcher quite like Bailey. The key will be patience. If they chase early or get frustrated with strikeouts, Niceville will control the tempo. But if Hooper and Madlonado can force deep counts and cash in with runners on, this turns into a real chess match.

Niceville, on the other hand, doesn’t need to score much. One or two timely hits from Noles or company may be enough. And Bailey? She’s been dealing all season like she was built for games like this.

Final Score Prediction:
Niceville 3, Winter Springs 1

Bottom Line: Chloe Bailey is the difference in a class full of sluggers. The sophomore is already pitching like a senior on a mission, and come Saturday, that might be just enough to carry Niceville to the 5A crown.