Trenton advances, will play for third straight state title

The Trenton softball team is headed back to the state championship game.

On Tuesday afternoon, the two-time defending state champions and top overall seed edged No. 4 seed Madison County, 1-0, in the FHSAA Rural state semifinals at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.

University of Florida commit Addison Allaire allowed just one hit and struck out 16 and sophomore Addilynn Welbers scored the only run in the fifth inning to advance to the title game.

Trenton (24-3) will play No. 3 seed Liberty County (Bristol) at 4 p.m. on Wednesday for the state title. Liberty County defeated No. 2 seed Northview, 10-8, in the other state semifinal.

“It feels really good,” said Allaire, who threw the first perfect game of her career in a 1-0 win at home against Madison County on April 10. “This group of girls is amazing. We work so hard every day at practice. I’m just really excited that we’re here, and we get to go back to the championship tomorrow.”

Following a one-hour weather delay to start the game, the junior set the tone early in the circle by striking out the side in order in the top of the first inning. She struck out 16 batters over seven innings of action.

“She’s phenomenal,” said Trenton coach Kevin Benson. “I mean, there’s nothing left that I can say about that kid. She always prepares the right way, mentally and physically.”

Each team had its chances throughout the game.

Trenton senior left fielder Presley Akins had a one-out single to left field in the bottom of the third inning, and then Welbers had a soft pop-up bunt on the third base line that dropped for a hit after a diving attempt by Madison County catcher Logan Bass.

However, sophomore Lexi Faught’s bunt was caught by Madison County pitcher Alden Bass, who dove near home plate to take away a hit. Allaire (1-for-3) struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, junior first baseman MacKenzie Fisher led off the inning with a triple to left field but was left stranded after a couple of strikeouts by Bass, who struck out nine in six innings.

Allaire, who struck out eight of the first nine batters she faced and 12 of 14, worked out of a pair of jams, too.

With one out in the top of the fourth inning, Bass grounded to third baseman Madison Hinote, who threw the ball away and Bass advanced to third.

However, Allaire struck out the next two to get out of the inning.

In the sixth, Madison County (19-4) loaded the bases with one out on a pair of walks and a bunt single.

Junior Lexi Eades had a pop-up to second base and Faught made the catch and threw out the lead runner at third base for an inning-ending double play.

“I just trust my defense behind me,” Allaire said. “I know that I just have to throw strikes and they’re going to do whatever needs to be done behind me, and it’s just really just that that helps me get through those rough times.”

Trenton finally broke through in the fifth inning.

Welbers (2-for-3) hit a ball into left field for what appeared to be a single, but she accelerated to second base and beat the tag for a double.

“I knew I had to make something happen, like that’s my job as a lead off, and I trust my team to make move me,” Welbers said. “I just had to make something happen, so I did.”

She also stole third base, another decision that the sophomore made on her own.

“That is 100% on her, but she knows I give her the green light on that,” Benson said. “You know, she sees that third baseman is up at 40-45 feet, that shortstop has to be perfectly on time, and that third baseman has to let that ball go through to have a chance of getting her. Her speed is phenomenal.”

Faught bunted and it appeared the Cowgirls might have a chance to get the lead runner. A throw to third base started the pickle to get Welbers, but the throw home got past the catcher and scored Welbers with the only run the Tigers would need.

“We left some opportunities out there…but at the end of the day, like I told the ladies, that wasn’t our best game, but we did enough,” Benson said. “That’s all that matters in this one, is doing enough to make it to tomorrow.”

Trenton is seeking its second straight Rural state title after winning the Class 1A title in 2024.

“We got one more to go, and that’s the one we’ve been aiming for all season long, and preparing for through the off-season, and all those late nights and early mornings, and all the extra reps that’ve been put in,” Benson said. “This is what it’s all about.”

Last year, the Tigers defeated Liberty County, 9-2, in the state semifinals.

“We’ve told the girls all along that we can’t rest our hat on the previous two years,” Benson said. “This year is a whole new year, whole new team, and whole new opponents that we’re going to be playing. They may have the same name on the jersey, but they’re a different roster, just like we’re a different roster.”

FHSAA Softball State Championships*

Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park (Longwood)
(teams in the Mainstreet coverage area in bold)

Tuesday, May 19

Rural state semifinals
1 Trenton 1, 4 Madison County 0
3 Liberty County (Bristol) 10, 2 Northview (Bratt) 8

Wednesday, May 20

Rural State Championship
1 Trenton vs. 3 Liberty County (Bristol), 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 21

Class 4A state semifinals
1 Columbia (Lake City) vs. 4 Seminole, 1 p.m.
2 Lake Wales vs. 3 Key West, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 23
Columbia/Seminole winner vs. Lake Wales/Key West winner, 10 a.m.