Pensacola area softball stars who shaped the sport
Softball is a rising sport locally, with 5 state titles since 2007 and the last 2 Gatorade POTYs. Cast your vote for the area's best ever.
Softball has been an emerging sport in the Pensacola area in recent years, and is the next sport on our list of USA TODAY’s companywide 250 for 250 series. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states and regions.
Over the next coming months, we'll honor some of the top athletes in Pensacola area history. Escambia and Santa Rosa County local softball teams have won five state championships, all coming in the last two decades. Pace was the first area team to win a state crown in 2007, followed by West Florida in 2014 and Tate in 2015 .
Jay captured an elusive state crown in 2022 , while Pace became the first area softball team to win multiple state titles in 2024 . The Patriots have the last two softball Gatorade Players of the Year in Jayden Heavener and Hannah DeMarcus . The eight softball selections represent some of the area’s best players from the past and in recent years, as well as two state championship winning coaches.
All nominees are in alphabetical order. Think we missed anyone? Email JFitzgerald@gannett.
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