Editor’s Note: This is the first of five stories unveiling the 2025 Bosshardt Realty All Area Softball and Baseball Teams.
The Trenton and Branford softball teams were familiar faces at the FHSAA Softball state championships.
Trenton won its second straight state title and Branford advanced to its third consecutive final four.
The Tigers and the Bucs combined to have four of the 11 players on the 2025 Bosshardt Realty Small School All Area Softball Team.
Leading the way for the FHSAA Rural state champion Tigers (19-6) was sophomore pitcher Addison Allaire, the Florida Dairy Farmers Rural Player of the Year.
“In my eyes, Addi demonstrating another year that she is one of the best athletes on the field any given night is a true testament to the dedication, hard work, and leadership she brings to the circle every single game,” said Trenton coach Kevin Benson. “Addi doesn’t just throw strikes and controls the game with her execution and confidence; she inspires her teammates, elevates the whole team’s performance, and has a competitive spirit that’s contagious.”
Allaire finished with a 12-2 record and a 1.42 earned run average with 184 strikeouts in 98 innings pitched. She dominated in the final four, allowing just one earned run in 12 innings pitched with no walks and 19 strikeouts.
“When the ball is in her hand in the circle, the team steps up their game and level of play with confidence, excitement and swagger,” Benson said. “When she steps on the field, she is laser-focused, determined and a complete game changer.”
Allaire also hit .361 with a team-leading seven home runs and she was also second on the team with a .478 on-base percentage and a .708 slugging percentage (SLG).
Chiefland transfer MacKenzie Fisher had never been a catcher at the varsity level until she stepped behind the dish her sophomore year.
She landed on the first team after leading the state champions at the plate with a .427 average.
“Fish is an exceptional talent with a heart of a warrior,” Benson said. “Her work ethic, selflessness, dedication, never-quit mentality and passion for the game set the standard for everyone else. Failure is not an option, and she exemplified daily, ‘don’t practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong.’ She holds herself accountable to a high level of execution and the consequences for not meeting her own standards.”
Fisher, who was 4-0 in the circle with a 2.30 ERA, also led the Tigers with 13 doubles, a .517 OBP, 29 runs, 32 hits, a .773 SLG and a .981 fielding percentage.
“The other players listen when she speaks because they respect the standards she holds herself to every day,” Benson said. “Fish leads by example both on and off the field, and her commitment to excellence pushes the whole team to elevate their game. She doesn’t just play for herself; she plays for the entire team and is willing to sacrifice her own goals and desires to do whatever it takes and what the team needs her to do for the team to be successful.”
Rural state semifinalist Branford (21-7) landed one All Area player in the infield, senior Cloey Criggall, and one in the outfield, senior Ellie Frierson.
“I am extremely honored to have coached these two players,” said Branford head coach Oscar Saavedra, whose team lost to Northview (Bratt) in the state semifinals, denying the Bucs their third straight state championship game appearance. “I know both will excel in college and continue to do great things.”
Criggall, who will further her academic and athletic career at the University of West Florida, finished off her 6-year varsity career by leading Branford in runs (38), doubles (11) and OBP (.521). She batted .391 and was second on the Bucs in stolen bases (26) and third with a .937 fielding percentage.
“Cloey wasn’t just a great player, she was the heartbeat of the team,” Saavedra said. “Her talent turned heads, but her leadership and dedication made the real difference. She is the type of player every coach dreams of—reliable, hardworking and completely committed. She brings skill, leadership and a positive attitude to every practice and every game.”
Frierson, who will be playing at Santa Fe College, finished her senior year with a .410 average and a team-leading 41 hits. She was second on the Bucs with 31 runs scored and a .580 SLG.
“Ellie is an amazing athlete who played with heart and never backed down from a challenge,” Saavedra said. “On and off the field, she was the kind of player every team hopes for. With speed, instincts and fearless dives, she owned center field. She turned hits into outs and made the impossible look easy.”
Union County (Lake Butler) and Williston had the most selections with three apiece.
Freshman Courtney Manning and junior Leanne Dicks led Union County with two infield selections, while sophomore Emma Handley made the team as a utility player.
“There was a reason those three batted one, two and three for us this year,” said Union County coach Brian Tomlinson, whose team lost to Rural District 6 champion Branford in the district semifinals but earned an at-large playoff spot. “They all three led the team in hitting and I am beyond excited to have them all back next year.”
Manning, who played third base and outfield this year, led the Tigers (17-9) in several offensive categories..
She finished first in batting average (.522), OBP (.561), SLG (.739), and doubles (10). The freshman was third in RBI (26), hits (36) and runs (26).
“Courtney hits the ball very hard for a freshman,” Tomlinson said. “The ball just explodes off her bat.”
Handley led the Tigers in hits (39), runs (34), and stolen bases (23) and she was second on the team in batting average (.464) and OBP (.549).
“Emma is someone that could play every position on the field and would be great at it,” Tomlinson said. “She also bats leadoff for us.”
Dicks finished second in RBI (27) and hits (37) and was third on the team with a .462 average and a .506 OBP.
“Leanne is consistent,” Tomlinson said. “She has no problem diving in the infield to make plays. She batted second and has great control of her bat.”
The three Williston selections were Jayla Coleman in the infield and Luna Asencion and Brooklyn Bertand in the outfield.
Coleman had a big 8th-grade season with a team-leading .456 batting average. She was second on the team in OBP (.473), RBI (22), SLG (.618) and she tied for second with seven doubles and two triples.
“Jayla stands out on the field with her elite softball IQ, athleticism, and well-rounded talent,” said assistant coach Kelcey Coleman. “She’s a relentless competitor with a deep love for the game, consistently stepping up against top-level competition. At the plate, her ability to battle through long at-bats and still come away with a hit speaks to her remarkable discipline.”
She had a .964 fielding percentage with only two errors in 55 total chances, and she had 20 stolen bases on a team that had 161 total thefts.
“Defensively, her range and speed allow her to cover ground with ease, and she’s always a threat to steal bases,” Coleman said.
Asencion played multiple positions and could have easily made the team as a utility player, but joins Bertrand in the outfield.
“Luna is the definition of a true utility player—versatile, dynamic, and capable of excelling in any role,” Coleman said. “Her speed and quickness are standout qualities, and her self-discipline both at the plate and on the mound is impressive.
The sophomore pitched well enough to win the region final against Trenton, a 2-1 loss, by allowing just two earned runs on four hits.
In nine appearances in the circle, she had a 0.91 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 38.2 innings pitched.
Asencion led the Red Devils (14-11) in hits (38), runs (38), doubles (10), home runs (6), stolen bases (35), SLG (.795) and she was third in RBI (21) and OBP (.451).
She was second with a .432 average and a .980 fielding percentage.
“Driven by a strong work ethic and a deep love for the game, Luna continues to make a significant impact on the field,” Coleman said.
Bertrand, who was also a catcher, only committed one error all season in 121 total chances (team-leading .992 fielding percentage).
The junior led Williston with a .512 OBP, was second in hits (31) and runs scored (21), and third in batting average (.431).
“Brooklyn is a standout presence in the outfield, known for her exceptional ability to track down balls and deliver strong, accurate throws—thanks to her cannon of an arm,” Coleman said. “At the plate, her explosive bat makes her a constant threat. Her impressive speed and advanced softball IQ allow her to impact the game in every aspect.”
Rounding out the first team is Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton.
The Santa Fe College signee finished with a career best 0.86 ERA as the Indians (17-7) advanced to the state playoffs before falling at Trenton, 6-0, in the FHSAA Rural regional semifinals.
She struck out 189 batters and allowed just 31 walks in 138.2 innings. She did all this while maintaining her stellar performance in the batter’s box from last season, tallying a .403 average with 19 RBIs and a career-high six home runs.
“Kadence Compton has been the heart of our team both on and off the field,” said first-year Fort White coach Jessica Robinson. “She’s the kind of athlete every coach dreams of—driven, dependable, and always willing to do whatever it takes to help her team succeed. Coaching her has been an absolute privilege. Her work ethic is unmatched, and her competitive spirit is contagious.”
Compton also led the team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.403), OBP (.488), hits (27), home runs (6) and SLG (.761).
“Kadence leads by example, brings intensity to every pitch, and has the ability to change the momentum of a game with her presence alone on the mound or in the box,” Robinson said. “She’s not just a standout player—she’s a leader, a role model, and has been the cornerstone of our program. She will greatly be missed, but we’re excited to see her continue her softball career at Santa Fe College.”
2025 Bosshardt Realty All Area Small School Softball Team (Rural & Class 1A)
C – MacKenzie Fisher, Trenton (SO)
INF – Cloey Criggall, Branford (SR)
INF – Courtney Manning, Union County (FR)
INF – Leanne Dicks, Union County (JR)
INF – Jayla Coleman, Williston (8th)
OF – Ellie Frierson, Branford (SR)
OF – Luna Asencion, Williston (SO)
OF – Brooklyn Bertrand, Williston (JR)
Utility – Emma Handley, Union County (SO)
P – Addison Allaire, Trenton (SO)
P – Kadence Compton, Fort White (SR)
Honorable mentions
Bell – Alaina Thomas (SR), Dacy Graham (JR), Gracelynd Joiner-Solis (SO), Mayzie Carpenter (FR), Alexsandra Faught (FR)
Branford – Morgan Brennan (SR), Laila Arnold (SR), Alex Whitfield (SR), Mallory Blue (JR), Victoria Swain (JR), Hunter Revis (SO)
Bronson—Maddie Dean (JR), Jordyn Paige (SO), Tegan Barber (SO), Presley Thomas (SO), Julianne Lampton (SO), Brystal Howard (FR), MaKenna Dean (FR)
Chiefland – Anna Jane Meeks (JR), Evie Meeks (SO), Aubrey Weatherford (FR)
Countryside Christian – Joy Sullivan (SR), Vanessa Colon (JR), Riley Keith (SO), Kayley Mcleod (FR), Laila Carter
Dixie County (Cross City) – Katelyn Blevins (SR), Jaicee Brown (JR), Hadlee Hines (FR), Tearra Collins (7th)
Fort White – Morgan Kelly (SR), Meloney Heagles (SR), Hannah LeBlue (SR), Graceanne Durrance (SO), Khloe Kirby (FR)
Hawthorne – Alaina Auld (SO), Anieha Kitt (FR), Makenzie Swilley (FR), Holly Moore (8th)
Trenton – Olivia Weaver (SR), Presley Akins (JR), Makenna Young (FR), Addilynn Welbers (FR), Emaleigh Philmon (FR)
Union County (Lake Butler) – Mackenzie Orton (SR), Campbell Webb (SR), Shyla Crowe (SR), Brooke Hunt (SO), Jaydin Alvarez (SO)
Williston – Baylee Cribbs (JR), Aubrey Bertrand (JR), Grace McDaniel (8th)