As we enter the playoffs for the 2022 Florida high school baseball and softball seasons, which team from each classification should be considered the favorite to end the year as state champions?
Class 7A: Stoneman Douglas and Lakewood Ranch
Stoneman Douglas, the defending Class 7A baseball state champion, is arguably the top team in the entire state. The Eagles will likely be the favorite in any game they play this postseason, in part due to their pitching staff led by the trio of Jake Clemente, Chris Arroyo, and Christian Rodriguez.
As for Lakewood Ranch, you could also make the argument for the defending 7A state champions as the top Florida high school softball team. While the Mustangs did lose two games to Lake Brantley earlier this season, it’s simply hard to bet against this Lakewood Ranch team, one that is averaging over nine runs per game offensively.
Class 6A: Pace and Doral Academy
In Class 6A, the argument for favorite is a toss-up between Pace and Tate, with the teams having split their season series. A slight advantage goes to the Patriots, however; Pace has one of the top pitchers in the state in right-hander Walter Ford.
Doral Academy is the defending 6A softball state champion, and is squarely in the conversation for the state’s top overall team once again. The gap between the Firebirds and the field is slim however, with Cooper City and Bartow in particular not far behind.
Class 5A: American Heritage and Fort Myers
While Jesuit will be a tough opponent for any team during the playoffs, American Heritage is the favorite in Class 5A. The Patriots enter the 2022 playoffs as one of the top teams in the state, led by one of the top pitchers in left-hander Brandon Barriera.
While the Class 5A baseball favorite could be an easy choice, softball is not. It’s a group with multiple contenders, but it’s still hard to pick against defending state champion Fort Myers, which entered the week with a combined .323 team batting average.
Class 4A: Miami Springs and Eustis
Teams such as Suwannee, Key West, and Jensen Beach all have an excellent argument as the favorite, but Miami Springs is the choice here. The Golden Hawks have yet to lose a game to a team from Class 4A this season, and have allowed the fewest total runs to opponents in that group.
Defending state champion Eustis is arguably the clear softball favorite in 4A, as the Panthers enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the state. However, don’t rule out a few other teams either, most notably Deltona and star pitcher Katie McCaw.
Class 3A: Calvary Christian and Coral Springs Charter
The Class 3A favorite entering the playoffs was decided fairly recently when Calvary Christian won both games in a showdown with Berkeley Prep. The Warriors are one of the top teams in the state regardless of classification. They are led by an elite pitching staff that collectively holds a sub-1.00 ERA.
As for Class 3A softball, Coral Springs Charter is the pick entering the playoffs as the favorite, but the state title race could be the most wide-open of any across the state. Other teams in the hunt include Parrish Community, Florida High, Calvary Christian and Berkeley Prep.
Class 2A: St. Johns Country Day and Oxbridge Academy
While there are multiple teams to choose from in Class 2A, St. Johns Country Day is the pick. After finishing as the 2A runner up a year ago, the Spartans have enjoyed a phenomenal 2022 season led by one of the state’s top players in Jordan Taylor.
Oxbridge Academy is the easy pick for top Class 2A team in Florida high school softball. One of the best teams in the entire state, the ThunderWolves have yet to lose a game to a 2A team all season, and have one of the top pitchers in Florida in senior Luna Curran.
Class 1A: Bozeman and Jay
While defending 1A state champion Newberry, as well as Lafayette, are also in the mix, Bozeman is arguably the clear top team. A big reason for the Bucks’ success this season has been Bozeman’s pitching staff, which holds a combined 2.10 ERA, as well as an offense that averages over 11 runs per game.
Jay’s softball team finished as the Class 1A runner-up a year ago, and appears set to avenge that loss this season. While teams such as Dixie County, Wewahitchka, and Union County are also contenders to watch for, the Royals are currently one of the hottest teams in the state, making Jay an easy choice.
