Bartow, Lake Wales, Lake Region to headline Polk softball season

BARTOW, FLORIDA – Bartow softball has won eight state championships – seven under head coach Glenn Rutenbar – but another may be in the mix.

The Highlanders finished 25-4 last year and lost a 2-0 9-inning heart-breaker in the 6A regional finals to eventual state champions Melbourne.

The last state title for the program came in 2016 on a walk-off home run in the 11th inning against Clearwater Countryside.

“We are hungry and we have some talent,” Rutenbar said. “We always think we are going to have a chance, but there are a lot of good teams and a lot of good pitchers out there.”

Lake Wales returns just one key starter but eight players with plenty of playing experience. The most notable name is junior right-handed pitcher Katelynn “Red” Oxley, who is committed to Florida. She was 21-1 last year with a 0.10 ERA over the course of 140.1 innings. She struck out 337.

“She is as good as any pitcher in the state,” Rutenbar said.

Also look for freshman Ryleigh Knowlton and junior Julia Heter to round out the pitching staff.

“The more you have, the better, but three good ones, I am happy with that,” Rutenbar said.

Other notable returning starters include junior catcher McKenzie Gibson, junior third baseman Belen Gomez, junior outfielders Kyndal Sowell and Ja’shayla Nacrisse and junior infielder Leah Quartermaine.

“We do have more speed this year and I am hoping we are just consistent up and down the lineup. Our defense will be better. Last year, it was like you have to play, and this year we have people who can jump right in and be starters. We have options,” Rutenbar said.

Bartow will compete in 6A-District 10 with Lakeland, Lake Gibson, George Jenkins, Kathleen and Plant City.

Lake Wales

Coming off a banner state runner-up finish in 4A and a 21-8 record, the Highlanders lose just two starters and return their entire infield and the pitching staff.

“Our girls are excited. They have been working hard in the offseason,” Lake Wales coach Mike Settles said. “They moved us into a tough region. We are going to have to play our best ball to get where we want to get to.

“As long as everyone stays healthy and buys into what we are doing, I think we have a chance to do something special.”

The pitching staff will be headlined by sophomores Macy Murphy and Anna Conroy, who have state tournament experience.

“We have two, and four that can throw. I will say they are 1A and 1B and little ahead of the other ones at this moment. Kirsten McRae can throw, too. She is competing right now for a left-field job,” Settle said.

The bats are led by senior shortstop and leadoff hitter Zamya McBurrows, who hit .406 with two home runs and 26 RBIs last year.

“I think we have the drive to make it all the way,” McBurrows said. “We have most of our whole infield returning and that is a big help. If we just keep working hard we can.”

She posted a .653 slugging percentage while lacing nine doubles and five triples.

“In my opinion Maya is the best player in the state,” Settles said. “Last year, when she got rolling, we rolled with her. and has always set the tone for us and everybody else has just followed suit.

“She can lay down a bunt and she can go yard. She doesn’t really slap. She bunts and bunts for hits. She has unbelievable speed. She can go house or gap to gap.”

Other returning big bats include designated hitter and outfielder Presley Smith, first baseman and Sydnie Whitaker.

Lake Wales dropped the state title game to Deltona, which was bumped up to 5A this season. The Highlanders will compete in 4A-District 6 with fellow perennial power Lake Region, Bishop Moore, Mulberry and Davenport.

Lake Region

The Thunder are coming off a 16-12 season where they lost in the 4A regional final to state runner-up Lake Wales. Lake Region starts in a hole without top pitcher Alex Wright, who is recovering from foot surgery.

The South Florida signee posted a 9-8 record last year with an imposing 1.08 ERA. She struck out 133 and walked just 19 through 123 innings of work. She also surrendered just one home run.

Wright’s bat was a main cog in the 2022 lineup, hitting .381 with 23 RBIs and one round-tripper.

“Best-case scenario, she is back by district,” Lake Region coach John Bridges said. “That’s our hope.”

The loss of Wright, puts sophomore Makenna Meadows at the top of the rotation followed by sophomore Chic Jenkins.

“Pitching-wise, I think we will be OK with (Meadows) and (Jenkins). We just lose a big bat in Wright,” Bridges said.

The Thunder return all but two starters from this past season, including Jackson State signee and center fielder Gabby Willis, sophomore outfielder Hannah White, junior infielder Elisa Charles and junior second baseman Savanah Ford.

Bridges describes the Thunder as a hitting team with a little bit of speed.

“Chic (Jenkins) is very fast. I have a couple that can run. Mainly, we will be hitting and defense.’

Kirsten Aldridge transferred in from Auburndale and is expected to catch and play third base.

The 4A-District 6 battle should be between Lake Region, state runner-up Lake Wales and Orlando Bishop Moore.

“We have a hard strength of schedule, so we should stay up in the rankings even if we finish No. 2,” Bridges said.