Two Northeast Florida softball powerhouses are packing their bags for the state final four, and the road to glory just got a whole lot more exciting.
In a classic rematch that had fans on the edge of their seats, Columbia edged out Baker County 6-2 in the FHSAA Region 1-4A semifinals on May 14. The Tigers (27-3) showed their championship mettle, breaking a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fifth when Ryleigh Stone delivered a go-ahead RBI single. Addy Sherman followed with another run-scoring hit, and the Tigers never looked back.
Stone was the star of the show, going 4-for-4 with four RBIs and also shutting down a bases-loaded threat in the sixth inning by forcing a groundout to shortstop Alannah Lord. Her two-run triple in the sixth provided crucial insurance runs after a controversial moment when an apparent Baker County catch was ruled out of play inside a photography box.
Baker County (24-3) took an early lead in the third on an error, but Columbia answered with RBI singles from Lord and Stone. Chloe Johnson went 2-for-3 for the Wildcats, who had previously fallen to Columbia 7-4 in the district finals on April 30.
The Tigers now head to Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood on May 21, chasing their second FHSAA title since 2013, when a team led by future Florida Gator star Kayli Kvistad brought home the championship.
Meanwhile, in Crawfordville, Wakulla junior Parker Stubbs continued her incredible home run streak, belting two more dingers to lead the War Eagles to a 13-2 rout of Paxon. Stubbs, a USC Upstate commit, now has seven home runs in her last six games—and 15 on the season—after going deep in her first at-bat to spark a five-run first inning.
Paxon (17-8) grabbed an early lead when Kassidy Edwards drove in Makiyah Lester, but six costly errors doomed the Golden Eagles. Jayci Mapes and Aislin Hunter combined on a five-inning two-hitter for Wakulla (25-4), while Hunter also drove in three runs. The War Eagles advance to their own May 21 semifinal showdown.
For softball fans in Northeast Florida, the final four is shaping up to be a must-watch event. Whether you're cheering for Columbia's veteran squad or Wakulla's power-hitting phenom, one thing is clear: these teams are playing with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of home run power.