For 6 2/3 innings of the 1A state softball championship game in Clermont last month, the Trenton Tigers were frustrated against the Branford Buccaneers.

But down to their final out, Trenton scored three runs to tie the game and force extra innings, then scored two more runs in the bottom of the eighth for a 6-5 win over Branford.

It was the third state softball title for Trenton (23-2) since 2019. And not surprisingly Trenton and Branford, who just missed out on its first state softball title in its second consecutive state championship game appearance, lead the way on the Bosshardt Realty Small School All Area Softball Team.

Trenton, whose only losses came on the road to 5A state runner-up Gainesville and Columbia (Lake City), another 5A state playoff team, beat both the Hurricanes and Tigers at home.

Freshman pitcher Addison Allaire led Trenton for the third consecutive year in the circle, and also led the Tigers offensively.

Allaire, who was named the Florida Dairy Farmers 1A Player of the Year, was 13-2 in the circle with a 0.99 ERA while also batting .397 with seven homers, 31 runs scored, and 33 runs batted in.

“Addison is the hardest working kid I’ve ever been around,” said Trenton coach Clint Anderson, the Florida Dairy Farmers 1A Coach of the Year, “She lives and breathes softball. Great teammate, not very vocal, but leads by example. She started the comeback in the state championship game to put us on the board in the bottom of the seventh. She was voted team captain by her teammates.”

Joining Allaire are teammates in junior infielder Olivia Weaver and senior outfielder Brandy Dees.

Weaver batted .323 with 21 hits, 21 RBI and 13 runs scored for the Tigers.

“She (Olivia) comes to practice every day and works to get better,” Anderson said. “We moved her to shortstop in the 2023 season and she has been sure-handed since the move. She’s a great bunter and pressure doesn’t bother her.

“Quiet but when she speaks the team listens. She hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the seventh to bring us within one in the state championship game. Olivia was voted captain as well.”

Dees hit .353 for Trenton and drove in 16 runs with 24 hits, 16 runs scored, and six doubles. She drove in the winning run for Trenton in the bottom of the 7th of the state semifinal win.

“Brandy is a senior centerfielder who is the leader in the field on defense, “Anderson said. “She is solid both offensively and defensively, Brandy hit the walk-off single to win the semifinal against Holmes County to put is in the state championship game. Lake Sumter State is getting a steal of a player. She was also elected team captain by her teammates.”

Branford (24-7) had another successful season after finishing as state runner-up for the second straight year.

Leading the Bucs on the All-Area squad is junior outfielder Jessie “Ellie” Frierson. Frierson slugged 10 homers and also had 12 doubles, 46 hits, 34 runs, and 34 runs batted in.

“Ellie is a powerhouse, not only as a threat at the plate but also in center field,” Branford coach Oscar Saavedra said. “She had an outstanding year both offensively and defensively. I expect even better results from her next season.”

Joining Frierson from the Buccaneers are junior catcher Morgan Brennan and junior infielder Cloey Criggall.

Brennan batted .370 with 34 hits and 25 RBI while helping navigate Branford pitcher Layla Arnold.

“Morgan is that one go-to player that I can depend on,” Saavedra said. “She continually strives for greatness by pushing herself, despite injury she still wants to push the limits. She had a phenomenal year behind and at the plate.”

Criggall batted .406 with 41 hits, 35 runs scored, seven doubles, two triples, and four home runs.

“Cloey is an exceptional athlete,” Saavedra said. “She stepped up as a team captain and is an instrumental part of our success. I can always count on Cloey to give me 110 percent all the time.”

Fort White just missed out on its second state semifinal appearance in three years, losing 1-0 at Branford in the Region 3-1A final. Representing the Indians are junior pitcher Kadence Compton and senior outfielder Gracie Clemons.

Compton led Fort White in the circle with a 13-6 record and 0.94 ERA. She walked only 23 and struck out 190 in 112 innings, allowing only 15 earned runs. Compton also led the Indians in hitting with a .407 average and her 24 hits, 22 RBI and seven doubles also led the team.

“Kadence had another outstanding year in the circle and also had the highest batting average on the team,” Fort White co-head coach Michelle Padgett said. “She has committed to Indian River State College.”

Clemons batted .344 with 21 hits, 16 runs, 16 RBI and six doubles.

“Gracie was our leadoff batter who is a lefty,” Padgett said. “Gracie always was able to get a hit to get on base when it was needed. She did an excellent job in left field this year.”

For the second straight year, Williston just missed out on a final four appearance, losing 3-1 at eventual state champion Trenton in the Region 3-1A Final. The Red Devils were led by senior infielder Nevaeh Hayes.

Hayes batted .483 with 42 hits, 36 runs batted in, 25 runs scored, 10 doubles and four home runs. She also led Williston in the circle with a 7-1 record and 1.84 ERA.

“Nevaeh has been a five-year starter for our softball program,” Williston coach Carl Williams said. “It’s been a real pleasure having her on the team. It’s going to be very hard trying to replace her productivity in the future. We wish her the best of luck as she transitions to the next level at the University of West Florida.”

The top hitter in the area average-wise was Newberry senior infielder Hollie Pabst.

Pabst batted .574 – top in Class 1A – with 35 hits, 26 runs, 33 runs batted in, seven doubles and four homers. She helped lead Newberry to a 17-6 record and a playoff appearance. The Panthers were eliminated in the opening round of the 1A playoffs by Trenton.

Despite a 10-15 record, Chiefland advanced to the state playoffs, being knocked out by Williston in the region semifinals. The Indians were led by freshman Mackenzie Fisher, who is the utility player for this All-Area squad.

Fisher batted .429 with 30 hits, 21 runs, 15 doubles and 13 RBI.

“Although only a freshman, Mackenzie is a veteran in the Chiefland softball program,” said Chiefland coach Michelle Meeks. “She has been in the varsity lineup since sixth grade. She puts in a lot of work in the off season to be better each season. Her continual growth in hitting and pitching as well as her versatility on the field has helped the program tremendously.”

Rounding out the team is the only 8th grader on the team, Alexsandra Faught of Bell. The Bulldogs missed the playoffs with a 12-13 record, but don’t blame Faught. She hit a robust .516 with 32 runs, 33 hits and 15 RBI.

“Hands down Lexi is one of the best hitters in Class 1A,” Bell coach Krystal Holley said. “Numbers don’t lie! Lexi is a hard worker and always looking for ways to improve in the box. Don’t let her size fool you.”

Small School 1A-2A

C – Morgan Brennan, Branford (JR)

INF – Nevaeh Hayes, Williston (SR)

INF – Cloey Criggall, Branford (JR)

INF – Olivia Weaver, Trenton (JR)

INF – Hollie Pabst, Newberry (SR)

INF – Alexsandra Faught, Bell (8^th)

OF – Ellie Frierson, Branford (JR)

OF – Brandy Dees, Trenton (SR)

OF – Gracie Clemons, Fort White (SR)

Utility – Mackenzie Fisher, Chiefland (FR)

P – Addison Allaire, Trenton (FR)

P – Kadence Compton, Fort White (JR)

Honorable mentions

Bell – Alaina Thomas (Jr.), Lizzie Bagby (Jr.), Dacy Graham (So), Krista Scott (So.), Graceylnd Joiner-Solis (Fr.)

Branford – Laila Arnold (Jr.), Madyson Sikes (Jr.), Mallory Blue (So.), Payten Bates (Fr.)

Bronson – Michaela Phillips (Sr.), Austine Howard (Sr.), Abigail Johnson (Sr.), Julianne Lampton (Fr.), Brystal Howard (8^th)

Chiefland – Emma Swain (Sr.), Anna Jane Meeks (So.), Evie Meeks (Fr.)

Countryside Christian – Brooke Davis (Sr.), Gabriella Colon (Sr.), Samantha Keith (Jr.), Vanessa Colon (So.), Riley Keith (Fr.)

Fort White – Carly Caines (Sr.), N’Coreyia Atkins (Sr.), Jermauni Byrd (Fr.), Khloe Kirby (8^th)  

Hawthorne – Synteria Williams (Sr.), Chole Feagle (Sr.), Madisyn Gillins (Jr.), Kaelyn Williams (8^th)

Newberry – Malana Kennard (Jr.), Sarah Priester (Jr.), Madison Krecker (Jr.), Olivia Tharp (So.), Madison Rodgers (Fr.), Chloe Jones (Fr.)

St. Francis Catholic Academy – Mackenzie Moran (Sr.), Dalelia Jourdain (Sr.), Mariana Alvarez (Jr.), Addison Gerhold, Morgan Ritten (So.)

Trenton – Jessica Johnson (Sr.), Haley Blankenship (Sr.), Ella Emmons (Sr.), Charleigh Philmon (Jr.), EmmaLee Brideson (Jr.), Presley Akins (So.)

Union County (Lake Butler) – Mackenzie Orton (Jr.), Shyla Crowe (Jr.), Leanna Dicks (So.), Emma Handley (Fr.), Brooke Hunt (Fr.), Jaydin Alvarez (Fr.)

Williston – Savannah Rodriguez (Sr.), Baylee Cribbs (So.), Brooklyn Bertrand (So.), Aubrey Bertrand (So.), Luna Asencion (Fr.), Jayla Coleman (7^th)