Mike Ridaught
On Wednesday night at Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville, the Class 1A state champion Trenton softball team were radio guests (106.9 FM) on the final episode of “The Prep Zone” sports show for the 2020-21 year.
Last Wednesday, May 19, the Class 1A No. 1 ranked Tigers (20-1) defeated Jay, 5-4, at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont to win their second state title in the past three years.
Against the Royals in the Class 1A Final, Trenton (20-1) led 4-0 entering the top of the sixth, but Jay (24-6) hit two 2-run home runs to tie the game.
The Tigers won it on an error in the bottom of the sixth.
In the state semifinals, Trenton rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the 5th inning for a 3-2 win against Branford.
Florida Atlantic University signee Darian Ingram struck out 17 against Branford, including all nine batters at least once. She struck out 13 in the championship game.
Senior Lillian Wilkerson (Florida Gulf Coast University signee) delivered a clutch 2-out, 2-RBI single to center field for what would prove to be the game-winning hit against Branford, while Stetson signee Keeli Zingaro hit a 3-run home run in the state championship game against Jay.
It’s the third time in the past four years that Trenton has played for the state title, which was vacated last year due to COVID-19.
The Tigers lost to Wewahitchka in the 2018 state championship game and went 27-0 to win the 1A title in 2019. They were 10-0 and nationally ranked when the season ended abruptly in 2020.
Trenton has gone 57-1 the past three years under head coach Todd Bryant, who announced his retirement following the state title. Assistant coach Clint Anderson will take over next season.
Coming soon, we’ll have more on the Trenton celebration, Todd Bryant stepping down, and an opportunity to listen to the archive of Wednesday night’s show.