5 Pensacola area softball teams advance in state playoffs

5 Pensacola area softball teams advance in state playoffs

Wednesday was another jam packed day of Pensacola area sports action, with the softball state playoffs kicking into high gear and state boys weightlifting and state track and field beginning.

Softball

Region 1-6A quarterfinals

No. 1 Pace 9, No. 8 Nease 0

Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) blasts a 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

Adi Mobley (42) can only watch as a shot by Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) sails over the fence for a 2-RBI home run and a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

Patriots Laila Loomis (22) heads to the plate on a 2-RBI home run by Kamryn Pierce (15) to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) gets a high five as she heads to the plate on a 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) heads to the plate on a 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

The Patriots greet Kamryn Pierce (15) at the plate on her 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

The Patriots celebrate their sixth district championship following their victory in the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

More photos are coming soon.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) blasts a 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) blasts a 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

Adi Mobley (42) can only watch as a shot by Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) sails over the fence for a 2-RBI home run and a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

Patriots Laila Loomis (22) heads to the plate on a 2-RBI home run by Kamryn Pierce (15) to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) gets a high five as she heads to the plate on a 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

Patriots Kamryn Pierce (15) heads to the plate on a 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

The Patriots greet Kamryn Pierce (15) at the plate on her 2-RBI home run to take a 4-3 lead over the Raiders during the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

The Patriots celebrate their sixth district championship following their victory in the Navarre vs Pace 1-6A District Championship softball game at Pace High School on April 30, 2026.

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See Patriots softball defeat Raiders for district championship

More photos are coming soon.

Gracie Ueberroth scored when Britten Kettler reached first base on a dropped third strike in the bottom of the first inning before the Patriots pulled away for good with eight runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Pace (23-4) struggled to solve Sydney Davis in the first three innings, as the Nease )11-13) junior struck out eight. But after three straight singles to start the bottom of the fourth, Kennedy Franz smacked a bases-clearing triple, then scored on a Kylie Reed single. Ueberroth hit a three-run home run to extend the lead to 8-0 and Ainsley Pickard scored on a passed ball for the Patriots final run.

Auburn commit Hannah DeMarcus dominated in the circle for Pace, pitching six no-hit innings, allowing only three walks and striking out 14.

Pace will host district foe No. 4 Crestview in the Region 1-6A semifinals on May 12 at 7 p.m. The Patriots beat the Bulldogs 9-0 on March 10.

No. 3 Navarre 3, No. 6 Buchholz 0

Karsyn Riddle pitched a one-hit shutout to lead the Raiders to the regional semifinals. She also allowed a walk and struck out seven.

Navarre (14-10) took the lead on Marilyn Frizzell's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth, then added two runs in the sixth on back-to-back triples from Faith Rudy and Adi Mobley. Mobley went 3-for-3, while Peyton Daniel went 2-for-3.

The Raiders will play the winner of Tocoi Creek/Forest in the Region 1-6A semifinals on May 12. Navarre will host if Forest wins and will be on the road if Tocoi Creek wins.

Region 1-4A quarterfinals

No. 1 Columbia 14, No. 8 Escambia 0 (3 innings)

The Gators (9-16) were no match for the No. 1 team in the 4A classification according to the FHSAA.

The Tigers (25-3) scored 12 runs in the bottom of the first inning and Kinley King struck out all nine batters she faced in three perfect innings on the mound.

The scoreboard initially said Columbia scored its 15th run in the bottom of the third inning to put the game into mercy rule territory, but the Tigers were actually only leading 14-0. By the time both teams noticed, the umpires had already left.

Columbia will host No. 4 Arnold in the Region 1-4A semifinals on May 12.

Region 1-3A quarterfinals

No. 6 West Florida 11, No. 3 South Walton 8

Jaguars pitcher Abby Cogdill had a simple goal when she re-entered the circle in the seventh inning. Never mind that she started the game, was pulled after after two 1/3 innings and the Seahawks had had an answer all night.

"I knew if I located my pitches my defense would take do the rest," Cogdill said. "I was just thinking go up there, do what I'm supposed to do and my defense would take care of it."

Cogdill needed just three pitches to take care of South Walton in the seventh and send West Florida (10-15) back to the Region 1-3A semifinals, where it will play Paxon on May 12.

Wednesday's game was a rematch of the District 1-3A final, which the Jaguars won 8-5 at South Walton (15-8) on April 30. In that game, the Seahawks started hot, leading 4-1 after four innings.

In this one, West Florida led 5-0 after the first inning, then answered every South Walton response. The Seahawks cut the lead to 5-4 in the top of the third before Jamaria Cook scored on a throwing error and Kya Romero plated two on a single in the bottom of the inning to push the lead back to 8-4.

South Walton cut the lead to 8-7 in the top of the fifth before another Romero RBI single and a Peyton Fisher sacrifice bunt gave West Florida a 10-7 lead. Kallie Keyes made it a two-run game with an RBI single in the top of the sixth, then Cook answered with a home run in the bottom of the inning.

Cook went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Romero went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Fisher went 1-for-3 with three RBIs. Leianna Wagner went 2-for-4.

"Every time they had a big move, we answered and we kind of kept momentum, " Jaguars head coach Chris Baker said. "And...they were hitting us tonight. We had to switch pitchers a couple times. But we've had to do that all year. We've just had to find a way. We've been scrappy and the girls have been working hard. We executed some key plays in key times and I'm really proud of them."

West Florida has learned how to bounce back from tough situations all year, playing the third hardest schedule in 3A according to the FHSAA. Six of the eight Florida high school teams the beat the Jaguars this spring have already advanced to the regional semifinals. Another, Gulf Breeze, earned the No. 4 seed in Region 1-5A.

The challenge appears to be paying off, as West Florida has yet to lose in the postseason. And it has the Jaguars confident too, even with a five-plus hour bus ride to Jacksonville coming next week.

'It's far on the road, Cogdill said. "But I just feel like a couple wins, we have strong momentum. We're positive. I fee like we'll be good."

Rural Region 1 semifinals

No. 1 Northview 15, No. 4 Holmes County 0 (3 innings, Tuesday)

The Chiefs (19-5) scored 11 runs in the first inning against the Blue Devils (8-17) and cruised into the regional final.

Kylee Langham recorded a team-high two hits and added two RBIs. Aubrey Hadley, Daviona Randolph, Mikayla McAnally, Addysen Bolen and Avery Stuckey all added a hit and two RBIs. Peyton Womack recorded a hit and an RBI.

McAnally also pitched three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out seven.

Northview will host No. 3 Jay in the Rural Region 1 final on May 12. The Chiefs won at Jay 7-2 on April 16 and then again 7-0 in the Rural District 1 championship on April 30.

No. 3 Jay 3, No. 2 Chipley 2

The Royals (12-12) won a back-and-forth battle to earn another shot at Northview in the Rural Region 1 championship.

Addy Palmer recorded a team-high two hits. Emery Vaughn and Cadee Carroll added a hit and an RBI. Carroll also relieved Ella Samford in the bottom of the seventh, sitting the Tigers (19-5) down 1-2-3 to seal the win. Samford allowed two runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out two.

Mylee Frazier scored on Vaughn's single in the top of the first inning to put Jay on the board, then Chipley's Kinleigh Peel scored on a passed ball to tie the game in the bottom of the second. The score remained 1-1 until the top of the sixth when Carroll hit a leadoff home run. Kaylee Gilbreath scored on a Frazier sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh, providing a big insurance run.

After Olivia Brown's RBI double in the bottom of the seventh cut Jay's lead to 3-2, Carroll relieved Samford to seal the win.

Jay will play at Northview in the Rural Region 1 final on May 12.

Track and field

FHSAA 1A Championship (Hodges Stadium at UNF, Jacksonville)

Central and Pensacola Christian were the only local schools with athletes competing. The PCA girls finished tied for 25th with nine points, while the Central girls finished tied for 40th with three points. The PCA boys finished 29th with six points, while the Central boys finished tied for 30th with five points.

Benjamin School won its second straight 1A girls state championship with 62 points, while Northside Christian finished with 53 points. Holy Trinity won its second straight 1A boys state championship and fourth overall with 68 points, while Benjamin School finished second with 56 points.

Below are complete results for local competitors. The top eight finishers in each event are awarded medals.

Girls

400 meters: Zahara Carter, fr., Pensacola Christian (7th, 59.05)

1600 meters: Jaimee Tutton, sr., Pensacola Christian (7th, 5:11.05)

3200 meters: Jaimee Tutton, sr., Pensacola Christian (4th, 11:13.12)

4x400 relay: Pensacola Christian (Carter, Johnson, Carter, Carter, 11th, 4:08.35)

4x800 relay: Pensacola Christian (Keyser, Johnson, Smith, Tutton, 10th, 10:04.81)

High jump: Summer Bowman, so., Central (7th, 4-11.75); Emma Posey, jr., Central (7th, 4-11.75)

Pole vault: Elaina Shimmin, sr., Pensacola Christian (12th, 8-4.5); Jessica Hansen, sr., Pensacola Christian (14th, 7-10.5)

Javelin: Adriana Stephens, so., L.E.A.D. Academy (14th, 105-0); Callie Posey, sr., Central (16th, 103-7)

Boys

100 meters: Nathan Londrigan, jr., Pensacola Christian (14th, 11.33)

1600 meters: Isaiah Manderson, jr., Pensacola Christian (8th, 4:31.65)

3200 meters: Isaiah Manderson, jr., Pensacola Christian (10th, 10:04.12)

4x800 relay: Pensacola Christian (Ohman, Peterlevitz, Manderson, Fears, 5th, 8:16.69)

Pole vault: Alex Smith, so., Pensacola Christian (8th, 12-9.5); Josiah Miner, so., Pensacola Christian (10th, 11-9.75)l Elijah Percival, fr., Pensacola Christian (13th, 11-3.75)

Discus: James Allen, jr., Central (4th, 167-7)

Javelin: Carson Ellison, jr., Central (15th, 143-6); Tristan Randolph, sr., L.E.A.D. Academy (16th, 142-6)

Boys volleyball

No. 1 Gulf Breeze 3, No. 5 Bartram Trail 0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-12, Tuesday at Soundside HS)

The Dolphins (20-5) cruised past the Bears (10-14) to advance to the Region 1-2A final for the second straight year. Gulf Breeze has yet to drop a set in three postseason matches.

The Dolphins will play No. 2 Beachside in the Region 1-2A final on Friday at 6 p.m. at Soundside High School.

Boys weightlifting

FHSAA 2A state championship (RP Funding Center, Lakeland)

Pine Forest senior Julian Smith became the Eagles first boys weightlifting state champion in 25 years, capturing the 119-pound Olympic title.

West Florida will leave Lakeland with the most medalists among local teams, with Zane Grimes (6th 169 Olympic), Long Hoang, (3rd 199 Olympic, 4th 199 traditional), Javon Carlisle (6th, 238 Olympic and traditional) and Jairus Bailey (5th traditional) finishing in the top six.

Pine Forest's Nathen Sellers (4th 169 Olympic) also won a medal.

South Sumter won the Olympic state championship with 28 points for its first ever boyd weightlifting state title, while defending state champion Leesburg finished second with 18 points. Pine Forest finished tied for third with 10 points.

Columbia won the traditional state championship with 19 points, while Mosley finished just behind with 18 points. It's the Tigers first state title since 1999 and fourth overall.

Below are the complete results for area weightlifters.

Olympic

119: Julian Smith, Pine Forest (1st, 355 pounds, 150 snatch, 205 clean and jerk)

139: Kyle Mager, Booker T. Washington (9th, 405 pounds, 185 snatch, 220 clean)

154: Zach Miller, West Florida (16th, 410 pounds, 190 snatch, 220 clean)

169: Nathen Sellers, Pine Forest (4th, 490 pounds, 215 snatch, 275 clean); Zane Grimes, West Florida (6th, 480 pounds, 215 snatch, 265 clean); Camdynn Burns, West Florida (19th, 410 pounds, 190 snatch, 220 clean)

199: Long Hoang, West Florida (3rd, 545 pounds, 245 snatch, 300 clean)

219: Landon Miller, West Florida (9th, 490 pounds, 225 snatch, 265 clean)

238: Javon Carlisle, West Florida (6th, 545 pounds, 255 snatch, 290 clean); Jairus Bailey, West Florida (8th, 525 pounds, 240 snatch, 285 clean); Chris Tompkins, Booker T. Washington (9th, 515 pounds, 230 snatch, 285 clean)

Unlimited: Demontrae Samuel, Booker T. Washington (10th, 480 pounds, 210 snatch, 270 clean)

Traditional

119: Julian Smith, Pine Forest (9th, 340 pounds,205 clean, 135 bench)

139: Kyle Mager, Booker T. Washington (9th, 450 pounds, 220 clean, 230 bench)

169: Nathen Sellers, Pine Forest (16th, 520 pounds, 275 clean, 245 bench)

183: Ashton Caldwell, West Florida (15th, 540 pounds, 255 clean, 285 bench)

199: Long Hoang, West Florida (4th, 625 pounds, 300 clean, 325 bench)

219: Asaiah Milligan, Booker T. Washington (11th, 275 clean, 340 bench)

238: Jairus Bailey, West Florida (5th, 660 pounds, 285 clean, 375 bench); Javon Carlisle, West Florida (6th, 655 pounds, 290 clean, 365 bench)

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola area high school sports playoffs update May 6