One of the longest-running softball tournaments in Alachua returns this weekend.

Santa Fe High School will host the 48th Raider Invitational at the Hal Brady Rec Center.

“We have been fortunate that we are in a good location and have a smooth-running tournament, which makes it a good time for all the players and coaches,” said Santa Fe softball coach Gene Findley. “Coach Loretta Shane started this tournament many years ago, and I just picked up where she left off once she retired from coaching. I’m so glad we get to carry on her traditions and add a few of our own. I have been doing this tournament for the past 19 years.”

A total of eight teams (Bell, Bronson, Chiefland, Columbia, GHS, St. Pete Northeast, Union County, and host Santa Fe) will participate in the two-day event, which begins this afternoon at 4 p.m.

“We have some solid teams from 1A to 5A this year, which should make it a great softball weekend with some good competition,” Findley said.

It will be a round-robin format, and it is set up so that each team gets four games. They will also be on a time limit of 90 minutes per game, but they will finish the inning. There will also be a Texas tiebreaker for all ties.

The games will be played on three fields.

The host Raiders (5-1), who play Northeast (St. Pete) at 6 p.m., have several key players back from last year’s Class 3A-District 5 championship team, which advanced to the 3A-Region 2 Final before falling, 3-0, at eventual state champion Montverde Academy.

A total of seven starters return from last year’s 23-5 team including senior J’lyn Guyden (.552, 2 HRs, 11 DBL, 49 RBI, 30 RS), junior Madisen Crosby (.492, 18 RBI, 19 RS) and sophomore Maren Hornsby (.558, 34 R, 21 SB, .591 OBP).

They also return seniors Brooklyn McDougall (9-0, 2.35 ERA) and Makenna Payne (3-2, 3.50 ERA) in the circle.

Team chemistry, past success, a formidable offense and unwavering defense are big reasons why they should be in the running for another lengthy postseason run, but Findley believes there is a key to a successful season.

“Play within ourselves, don’t try to do too much,” he said. “As long as they stay true to their teammates and understand that each of them has each other’s backs, then the sky is the limit for this group.”

The other Alachua County team is Class 5A Gainesville High.

This past Tuesday, GHS picked up its first win of the season with a 7-1 win at Vanguard (Ocala). The Hurricanes (1-4) are currently led by seniors Madisyn Gillins (Hawthorne transfer) and Braylin Cook (Alabama State signee), who are both batting .500 this season.

Three teams are from the Tri-County area, Bell, Chiefland and Bronson, who compete in the Rural classification.

Bell, which finished 12-13 last year, returns all its starters from last year, including leading hitter Alexsandra Faught (.516 BA in 88 PA, .632 OBP).

“My senior pitcher Alaina Thomas (8-6, 3.37 ERA, 85K) has to be on,” said Bell’s Krystal Holley, who enters her 11th season as head coach of the Bulldogs. “She is the heart of the team and has the potential to close out close games. The relationship with her and my catcher Gracelynd Joiner-Solis (.405 BA, 23 RBI) will be very important on the defensive side. We have some strong bats on the offensive side. They slid a little at the end last year and we will need them to stay hot all season. My seniors will need to keep the team upbeat and motivated.”

The Lady Bulldogs (2-2) will play Chiefland at 6 p.m.

Chiefland, which was 15-10 last year and advanced to the postseason, only returns four players, but the Indians (3-4) have won three in a row.

Jeffrey Blankenship, who was a part of the coaching staff on the 2021 and 2024 Trenton state championship teams, takes over for Bronson. The Eagles (4-2) are young, with only one senior and two juniors.

Union County (Lake Butler) and Columbia (Lake City) are also in the field and will play against each other at 6 p.m.

Union County (4-3), which also competes in the Rural classification, is currently 4-3 with wins against Bronson and Bell.

Class 4A Columbia (5-3) has a new coach as Joe Saucier takes over for Cindy Dansby, who guided the Lady Tigers (13-12) to a playoff appearance before losing at Middleburg, 4-1, in the 5A regional quarterfinals.

Saucier inherits an experienced team as Columbia returns its entire starting lineup from 2024 and all their pitchers, who were sophomores.

The only team outside the coverage area is Class 5A Northeast. The Vikings (3-2) are led by senior Lashell Roberts, with a .722 average and nine RBI. Northeast lost at eventual state champion Parrish Community in last year’s 5A-Region 3 Semifinal.

Raider Invitational at Hal Brady Complex (Alachua, FL)

Friday, Mar. 7
Bronson vs. Gainesville, 4 p.m.
Columbia (Lake City) vs. Union County (Lake Butler), 4 p.m.
Bronson vs. Union County (Lake Butler), 6 p.m.
Bell vs. Chiefland, 6 p.m.
Santa Fe (Alachua) vs. Northeast (St. Pete), 6 p.m.
Bell vs. Northeast (St. Pete), 8 p.m.
Chiefland vs. Santa Fe (Alachua), 8 p.m.
Gainesville vs. Columbia (Lake City), 8 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 8
Chiefland vs. Northeast (St. Pete), 10 a.m.
Bell vs. Santa Fe (Alachua), 11:30 a.m.
Bronson vs. Columbia (Lake City), 11:30 a.m.
Gainesville vs. Union County (Lake Butler), 11:30 a.m.
3rd vs. 4th, 1:30 p.m.
5th vs. 6th, 1:30 p.m.
7th vs. 8th, 1:30 p.m.
1st vs. 2nd, 2:30 p.m.