Top 25 Florida softball rankings (3/7/2024)

Melbourne becomes the biggest mover, jumping from 16 into the top five

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.

We continue with the 2024 softball season with our second top 25 rankings. Starting off at the top spot is the Bartow Yellow Jackets, who are coming off a Class 6A state championship and return a loaded roster. Right behind them is Pace, who brings back LSU signee Jayden Heavener. Check out our power rankings and let us know what you think. 

---

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

---

1. Bartow (5-0) 

Bartow defeated Pace last year for the Class 6A state championship to conclude the 2023 campaign. Now the Yellow Jackets are gunning for another title. 

2. Pace (7-0) 

Having LSU signee Jayden Heavener pitching for you always makes things a little easier. The Patriots have scored 76 runs and only yielding four. 

3. Parrish Community (4-0) 

The Bulls are coming off winning the Class 5A state championship last season and they opened up the season with a 6-3 win over Palmetto.

4. Doral Academy (4-0) 

Anytime you've got a pitcher like senior Yessenia Lopez, you've got a chance to win on any given night. 

5. Melbourne (7-0)

The Bulldogs have looked impressive, but having senior Jasmine Francik on the mound every game helps. The FSU signee is 6-0 with a 0.85 earned run average and 98 strikeouts. 

6. Lake Brantley (4-1)

Bats have come alive in the first couple of games for Lake Brantley as they've piled up 33 runs in wins over Montverde Academy, Ocoee, St. Cloud and University. 

7. Montverde Academy (6-2)

Yes, they’ve bumped up over Windermere, whom beat Montverde earlier in the season. The Eagles have impressed, beating a good East Lake club and losing to Lake Brantley (see above). 

8. Windermere (5-1) 

You've got to like what the Wolverines have done early on this season. Victories over Clearwater Calvary Christian and Montverde Academy definitely were impressive. 

9. Sumner (5-1)

We're not going to be overly critical of a loss to Parrish Community. The Stingrays have been the surprise team in Tampa Bay this season. 

10. Inspiration Academy (4-0) 

The Lions have looked good through four tough games so far. Inspiration Academy has knocked off talented area powers Berkeley Prep, Sarasota and Venice. 

11. Berkeley Prep (7-1) 

Having Notre Dame signee Kaia Cortes back in the fold makes this team a contender. Cortes has already driven in 17 runs through eight games. 

12. Plant (3-2) 

Yeah, the Panthers may have lost in the state championship last year in 7A, but were red hot to start the season. Plant has stumbled as of lately, losing to Sumner and Steinbrenner. 

13. Wellington (7-0) 

This Wellington bunch is showing a ton of potential in making a lot of noise again this season in Class 7A. Early victories over Centennial, Oxbridge Academy and Palm Beach Central have this club playing as good as anyone. 

14. River Ridge (6-0) 

Scoring runs has been no issue whatsoever for the Royal Knights as they've piled up 69 runs and allowed five in wins over Anclote, Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek, Gulf, Hudson, Land O’ Lakes and Sunlake. 

15. Baldwin (7-0) 

Seven games and five shutouts. Hard to not see that this Indians team won't be in the mix once again in Class 3A. 

16. East Lake (7-1)

Sophomore pitcher Lucy Mondok has been a big reason to the Eagles’ success. The pitcher is currently 6-1 with a 0.95 earned run average and 43 strikeouts. 

17. Wakulla (7-1) 

Reaching the state championship in Class 4A last season and falling short looks to have motivated this War Eagles bunch.

18. Western (5-1)

There’s a lot to like about the Wildcats down in South Florida. Western has scored 10 or more a runs in four of its five victories this season. 

19. Hagerty (5-1)

The Huskies make their debut on this list and for good reason. They defeated Deltona recently and their only loss has come against Montverde Academy. 

20. Park Vista (3-2) 

We had to bring these guys into the rankings, as the Cobras have been playing very well as of late. Big 5-2 win over Coral Springs Charter recently. 

21. Coral Springs Charter (3-1) 

Another South Florida team that features one of the top pitchers in the state is the Panthers. Junior hurler Sophia Bertorelli will take this club to another 20-plus win campaign. 

22. Deltona (5-1) 

Nothing short of winning it all in Class 5A is on the minds of everyone at Deltona. The club has won three games by 15 or more runs. 

23. Evangelical Christian (4-0) 

Finishing as the state runner-up a season ago in Class 2A, the Sentinels have looked solid in victories over Barron Collier and Southwest Florida Christian. 

24. Academy of the Holy Names (4-0) 

Senior pitcher Keala Hollenkamp (2-0, 42 strikeouts) remains one of the best pitchers in Tampa Bay and has the Jaguars off to an undefeated start. 

25. Calvary Christian (4-3)

We’re not dropping the Warriors out of the top 25 as of yet. This team is still chalked full of talent and losses have come against ranked East Lake, Windermere and in extra innings to Oviedo. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl