Buchholz and Newberry oh my! Newest baseball, softball FHSAA rankings released
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The end of the regular season is near for Gainesville-area baseball and softball, and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) released its latest rankings Tuesday, April 7.
For baseball, this is the penultimate rankings before district play begins next week. Softball still has a few more weeks, but the games are only gaining importance from here on out.
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Speaking of which, here’s what we learned in the latest polls:
Here comes Buchholz…and Newberry
All this talk of the “best baseball team” in the area, and it seems like it was Buchholz all along. The Bobcats have lost just three times since February 20 and once since March 17. That came last Monday to Lowndes – one of the best teams in Georgia. In this week’s rankings, BHS is into the top 30 at No. 29 – fifth in 6A and second in Region 1.
Like years past, BHS’ pitching is the reason for the change. The Bobcats haven’t allowed more than three runs in a game since that March 17 loss to Bishop Kenny.
Chris Malphurs’ squad has four arms – Aidan Kastensmidt, Dion Wilburn, Reed Thomas and Coen Laffler – all with ERAs under 3.05 in at least 27.2 innings.
That’s a winning formula in the postseason.
Newberry has moved up almost 90 spots since the first rankings a month ago. The Panthers have now officially cracked the top 100 thanks to a 10-game winning streak and the brilliance at the plate of Florida baseball commit Tavis Honeycutt.
Unfortunately, NHS is still on the outside looking in for the postseason at No. 9 in Class 2A-Region 1 (the best region in the state). A win Tuesday over Suwannee, plus a district tournament run, could allow Newberry to pass Pensacola Catholic (88 overall) for the final playoff spot.
Are big wins enough for GHS softball
The Hurricanes still sit outside the top 80 in the state, despite big wins of late over Trenton and Buchholz. Winter Springs, Springstead, Sebring and Belleview all sit ahead of the ‘Canes.
The rankings can say what they want, but the honest truth is perhaps no team has looked better of late than GHS and Texas A&M commit and ace Leanna Bourdage. Its remaining schedule…Palatka, Forest, Newberry, Fort White and Ridgeview leaves something to be desired, but if the Hurricanes run the table, their recent success will be hard to ignore.
The Bobcats and Panthers also need some wins to bolster their resume. The ‘Cats still have a whopping eight games left, and barring a collapse, should be in the postseason.
The Panthers still have eight games left as well, including vs. Buchholz and Gainesville High.
What’s going on in the Rural Class?
Softball is clearer cut. Trenton, despite the loss to Gainesville High, is still the clear favorite for a state title. Tuesday’s titanic showdown vs. Santa Fe will help to provide some clarity – especially after the two team’s extra inning-thriller in Gilchrist County on March 24 – won by Trenton.
Branford is still hanging around, but the Bucs have struggled in their two games vs. Trenton, plus losses to Santa Fe and Eustis. Branford will need more than Harleigh Price’s heroics to finally get over that hump this season and claim a state title.
Baseball remains a two-horse race between Union County and Trenton on paper, but neither are jumping off the page. The Fightin’ Tigers are No. 80 state wide, and the Tigers at 103.
Certainly, Wednesday night’s game between the two will help provide insight, but can another area squad like Lafayette or even Bradford make some noise? Only time will tell.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville area teams in latest FHSAA baseball, softball rankings