May 16, 2025

Paxon High School Softball Team Makes Historic Playoff Run

News Summary

The FHSAA regional softball playoffs are heating up in Jacksonville, with teams like Paxon High School capturing attention for their remarkable performance. Paxon has achieved its deepest playoff run, thanks to standout players and significant victories. They faced tough competition against Wakulla and Baldwin High School strives to continue its postseason journey against North Bay Haven. The playoffs underscore the talent of student-athletes and the intensity of high school softball in Northeast Florida.

Jacksonville, FL – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is deep into the regional softball playoffs, with key third-round matchups scheduled across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida on May 15, starting at 7 p.m.

The playoff format is single-game and single-elimination, heightening the stakes for teams aiming for state semifinal berths. Among the teams in contention, Paxon High School has already made history by reaching its deepest playoff run to date. The team has been propelled by standout performances, including a walk-off home run from Kassidy Edwards, and a lineup featuring five players with batting averages exceeding .391.

Paxon will face a formidable opponent in Wakulla, a team renowned for its talent. Wakulla’s roster includes ace pitcher Charley Butler, who boasts an impressive 15-3 record and a 0.49 ERA with 236 strikeouts this season. Additionally, Wakulla’s hitters, including Cylie Long with a .512 batting average and nine home runs, alongside Parker Stubbs who brings a .350 average and eleven doubles, pose significant challenges for Paxon.

The winner of the Paxon versus Wakulla matchup will secure a spot in the state semifinal scheduled for May 21 at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.

Meanwhile, Baldwin High School, a previous final-four qualifier, aims to extend its postseason journey against North Bay Haven. North Bay Haven is no stranger to scoring, averaging ten runs per game and entering the match on a 13-game winning streak. Their standout player, Kaylee Goodpaster, a Florida State commit, has been a force with her exceptional batting average of .600 and 56 RBIs this season.

In the Region 1-1A final, University Christian (UC) sought to reach the final four for the fifth consecutive year but faced a setback against North Florida Christian (NFC), losing 8-11. UC’s Mila Lackowski and Dixie Tessier put forth notable efforts; however, NFC surged ahead with a dominant 9-0 lead after the third inning. NFC, which qualified for regionals as a district runner-up, is set to advance to the semifinals on May 20 in Longwood.

Paxon’s historic playoff run ultimately concluded with a loss to Wakulla. In a game marked by standout pitching from Charley Butler, who threw a perfect game, Paxon fell 6-0, ending its quest for a championship.

Another significant result came when North Bay Haven upended Baldwin with a 6-3 victory, marking the end of Baldwin’s three-year regional championship streak and eliminating Northeast Florida representatives from the FHSAA softball final four for the first time since 2003.

In other regional competitions, the Triopia softball team achieved a notable victory against Calhoun in the WIVC Softball Tournament semifinals, winning 4-0. This win marked a historic achievement for Triopia, as it was their first victory over Calhoun in recent history. Key contributions came from Triopia pitcher Mylee Tracy, who struck out eight batters, demonstrating resilience and skill under pressure.

The upcoming championship game against Carrollton will be a test for Triopia, which has garnered notable support from the community, showcasing the local backing for the team as they progress into the postseason.

This year’s playoffs have brought competitive matchups and highlighted talented athletes, with strong team performances shaping the path to the state semifinals.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

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