SBLive Sports Florida Preseason Power 25 softball rankings: Lakewood Ranch begins as the No. 1 team

The defending Class 7A state champions return a talented roster and return Florida commit Cassidy McLellan

Break out the bats and gloves as high school softball season is upon us across the country, especially in the Sunshine State. One of the tops when it comes to high level softball, Florida features several teams that are among the nation’s best around. 

Starting off at the top top spot is 2022 Class 7A champion Lakewood Ranch, with teams like Lake Brantley, Bartow, Melbourne and Doral Academy all in the state-wide conversation as well. Besides those few teams, who else is among the elites when it comes to high school softball in Florida? Take a look at our Power 25 rankings as we give you our preseason list ahead of next week's regular season openers. 

Find the complete breakdown of the SBLive Sports Florida Preseason Softball Power 25: 

1. Lakewood Ranch (0-0): The Mustangs bring back one of the most talented rosters in the entire state. Lakewood Ranch brings back infielder/outfielder Cassidy McLellan, who batted .561, hit six home runs and drove in 38 runs last year. The University of Florida signee is arguably the top hitter in the state. 

2. Pace (0-0): When you’re talking about the panhandle’s best team, you can’t go too far without mentioning the Patriots. This Pace squad is loaded again, returning LSU commit Jayden Heavener and Florida State commit Shelby McKenzie. 

3. Melbourne (0-0): Bulldogs are the defending Class 6A champions and come in fourth in our rankings. They graduate just four players from last season’s squad and bring back a slew of talent. Hailey Turner (.355 batting average; 16 stolen bases) and Alisha Thompson (nine home runs; 24 RBIs) highlight a strong roster. 

4. Lake Brantley (0-0): Only one team defeated Lakewood Ranch in 2022 and both times it was the Patriots. Lake Brantley brings back first baseman Bristin Bordeau, who hit eight home runs last season and drove in 24 runs. Bordeau is a University of Louisiana-Monroe commitment. 

5. Doral Academy (0-0): This Firebirds team was chalked full of 8th graders and freshman last year and lost to Melbourne 1-0 in the Class 6A state championship game. Now after a 24-5-1 season, Doral Academy’s top player back is sophomore Sarah Breaux, who hit five home runs and drove in 31 last year. 

6. Bartow (0-0): The Yellow Jackets are perennially the top team coming out of Polk County and nothing changes on that front this spring. Coming back to the mound is junior Katelynn Oxley, who is committed to Florida and struck out 337 batters in 2022. 

7. Berkeley Prep (0-0): There’s no replacing Hannah Church, but the Buccaneers surely return plenty to get the job done. Expect the Buccaneers to still pack a punch behind Notre Dame commit Kaia Cortes and a slew of others on the team. 

8. Park Vista (0-0): A handful of seniors graduated for the Cobras, but this program still returns plenty of underclassmen talent from 2022. Leading the way is sophomore Ava Johnston and junior pitcher/infielder Nicole Mergen. 

9. Cooper City (0-0): The Cowboys went 22-4 a year ago and their only losses came at the hands of programs like Doral Academy, Hernando and Park Vista. Now despite losing a handful of seniors from last year, junior Arlette Caravaca returns after a strong sophomore campaign. 

10. Parrish Community (0-0): One thing about this particular Bulls squad is they didn’t lose anything from last year’s club when it comes to graduation. Parrish Community went 24-4 last season and with practically the entire roster back, they’ll be a force this spring. 

11. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.) (0-0): The Warriors won the Class 3A state championship in 2022 and could be in line to do it again. Calvary Christian will be stout with outfielder/first baseman Payton Cushman (Georgia Southern commit) and shortstop Irianis Garcia (Stetson commit) both back. 

12. Baldwin (0-0): Can’t knock too hard on a 26-3 record and that’s what the Indians had in 2022. Only losses came at the hands of Calvary Christian, Baker County and Hilliard. Nonetheless, bringing back Jazmine Ramos-Merced to the lineup keeps Baldwin as a contender in Class 3A. 

13. Hagerty (0-0): Though the Huskies fell to Lake Brantley in the Class 7A playoffs, they return plenty to the table this spring. Amongst those coming back to Hagerty, including Addison Orr (Embry-Riddle signee), Madison Molina (Jacksonville signee) and Karaon Cuozzo (Francis Marion signee). 

14. FSU High (0-0): Am early season matchup against Dixie County on Feb. 23 will be one to keep an eye on. The Seminoles went 21-4 season and return a myriad of talent, including third baseman Jaysoni Beachum (Florida State signee) and Madelyn Mayo. 

15. University (Orange City, Fla.) (0-0): The Trojans had a solid year in 2022 and make their way into our rankings just outside of the top 15. Senior infielder Annalyn Duncan, a Florida Gulf Coast signee, is back after a stellar junior campaign. 

16. Coral Springs Charter (0-0): Last season ended for the Panthers in the Class 3A state semifinals, but the good thing is they return a solid crop back to the team this spring. The Panthers will look to sophomore Sophia Bertorelli on the mound and fellow tenth grader Heather Robertson and junior Kate Maston bring pop at the plate. 

17. Deltona (0-0): The Wolves graduated some key players from last season’s 21-5 team, but make no doubt about it that this Deltona club is sound. Class 4A champions a year ago, the Wolves get back senior outfielder Veronica Puckett (24 stolen bases, 35 runs) and pitcher Katie McCaw (19-3 record in 2022). 

18. Steinbrenner (0-0): From top to bottom, the Warriors have a very talented lineup. Catcher Lily Holtje is an Arizona State commit and brings a pop to the plate as well. Also watch out for Hailey Bellamy (Webber commit) and Kenzie Reynolds (University of Tampa commit) as well. 

19. The First Academy (0-0): Defending Class 2A state champions from last season ended 2022 on an 11-game winning streak. Now the Royals are back for making it back-to-back state crowns and though graduated Hannah Harper, will be just fine. The First Academy returns junior Molly Sheridan (39 hits, 33 RBIS) and junior Alexis Zerquera (26 RBIS, 31 hits). 

20. Wellington (0-0): Of the four losses the Wolverines had last year, three came to teams ahead of Wellington in these rankings. Nonetheless, the Wolverines will be contending once again in Class 7A, with players like pitcher Jordan White (14-1, 103 strikeouts in 2022) and sophomore Victoria Payne (five home runs, 30 RBIS in 2022). 

21. Bloomingdale (0-0): First three games of the season for the Bulls will be good tests as they face Robinson, Sickles and Durant. Depending on who you ask, Bloomingdale has possibly the next best team in Hillsborough County behind Berkeley Prep. 

22. Bishop Verot (0-0): Looking for the best team in Southwest Florida? The Vikings may be it. Bishop Verot was pretty solid last year, though their 14-11 record may not speak to that. Holy Names' transfer Camryn Feast (Florida Gulf Coast signee) comes over after a strong junior campaign. 

23. Middleburg (0-0): Coming off a 20-11 campaign and a Class 5A state crown, the Broncos are certainly one of the best teams in the 904. The Broncos have plenty of talent to boot, with junior pitcher Morgan Beckham (110 strikeouts in 2022) and sophomore Kaelyn Hagan (21 runs, 36 hits, 10 stolen bases) back in the fold. 

24. Eustis (0-0): Seeing that the Panthers ended up falling short of the grand prize of a Class 4A state title, this group will be equally as motivated this time around. Key piece returning and leading the club is senior pitcher Lauren 'Libby' Levendoski (286 strikeouts in 2022). 

25. Hernando (0-0): This team may not get truly tested (East Lake on Mar. 8 could be interesting) until the BayMade Invitational Tournament in Tampa, that runs from March 15-17. The Leopards reached the Class 3A state championship game, but fell to Calvary Christian 7-4. Hernando could be the best on the North Suncoast, but can they make another deep run?

On the bubble: Alonso, Auburndale, Dixie County, East Lake, Fort Myers, Jay, Keystone Heights, Key West, Lake Wales, Land O’ Lakes, Marianna, Mitchell, Montverde Academy, Naples, Oakleaf, Oxbridge Academy, Palatka, Robinson, Somerset Academy Silver Palms, South Lake, Trinity Christian Academy, Venice, University Christian, West Nassau, Westminster Christian, Winter Springs 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.