Softball playoffs: Baldwin, Episcopal, UC among first-round winners Wednesday

Another day, another extra-base onslaught from Baldwin.

The top-ranked team in Region 1-3A, Baldwin piled up six extra-base hits to defeat visiting Palatka 8-2 in Wednesday's opening round of the Florida High School Athletic Association softball playoffs.

Cali Hartung and Jazmine Ramos-Merced both hit home runs for the Gateway Conference champions, now 27-1, while Chloe Gotto doubled twice, Amiyah Jones tripled and pitcher Shaylen Byrd added another double. Seventh-grader Charla Griffin homered for the visiting Panthers (11-16). Baldwin moves on to play May 14 against Marianna or North Bay Haven.

Grace Jones delivered her latest masterpiece on the mound, pitching a one-hit shutout and striking out 10 in Episcopal's 10-0 win against Keystone Heights (12-13). Eighth-grader Emily Davidson doubled twice and Amelia Oreair knocked in three RBI for the Eagles (24-3), who pulled away in a four-run fifth inning.

Episcopal's next opponent will be West Nassau, which rode a 3-for-3 night from senior center fielder Reese Green for a 6-2 victory over Suwannee (16-11). Lauren Rosepiler and Peyton Studt tallied two hits each for the Warriors (17-8), who jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings.

REGION 1-5A

Alyx Hall went 3 for 3 with a home run and Fort Walton Beach ended the playoff run of Fleming Island, 3-1. Ava Smith pitched a one-hitter with nine strikeouts for Fort Walton Beach (18-10). Emma Massey doubled for Fleming Island (19-8) and Ella Morris scored the lone run.

REGION 1-4A

Rylee Walker pitched the first five innings and Chloe Woods sealed the victory for Baker County (18-5), which used a four-run third to pull clear of Yulee, 7-2. Haley Marker, Chloe Johnson and Baleigh Shields all doubled for the Wildcats. Yulee closes at 17-7.

Sydney Scapin overpowered Paxon in the circle, striking out 18 in a one-hit shutout as West Florida (17-11) rolled 6-0. Morgan Milton notched the lone hit for Paxon (15-10), the Gateway Conference runner-up.

Auburn commit Charley Butler proved too strong for Menendez, hurling a two-hitter and striking out 13 as Wakulla won 10-0 over Menendez (15-7). Makenzie Marlow homered for the War Eagles (23-3), scoring five runs in the fourth.

REGION 1-2A

Reigning state champion University Christian piled up 19 second-inning runs in a mercy-rule 21-2 win over St. Joseph. The Flashes (7-10) grabbed a brief lead on Jessica Camacho's homer before UC (16-7) responded. Sophia Kardatzke homered and doubled twice and Jaleigha Harris homered with four RBI.

Jordyn Lasater homered and doubled in a 3-for-4 night and Trinity Christian scored at least three runs in every inning for a mercy-rule 15-0 shutout of St. Johns Country Day (11-6). Madelyn Lasater limited the Spartans to one hit.

Elle Burns finished a triple shy of the cycle for Providence (10-12), which scored four runs in the third and five each in the fourth and fifth for a 16-5 win at Gainesville Countryside Christian (9-5). Daci Sarver also went 3 for 4 with a double. The Stallions advance to meet Tallahassee North Florida Christian or Tallahassee St. John Paul II.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Softball playoffs: Baldwin, Episcopal, UC among first-round winners Wednesday