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After winning the Florida 8A state championship in 2017, the Oakleaf Knights out of Orange Park, Florida were one inning away from repeating last year.
“We finished as State Runner-Up in a gut-wrencher,” explains Head Coach Christina Thompson. “We lost 1-0 in the 7th inning when the ball hit the third base bag and went awry.”
Despite the ache of the “what could have been?” finish, the team did compile a big milestone last year, becoming the first team since 2000 to repeat as winners at the Kissimmee Klassic for the second year in a row.
“We are committed to competing once again for 2019 and will do so by seeking the best competition.”
Coach Thompson isn’t kidding when she says the Knights will face steep competition.
“We have once again scheduled as tough as possible,” she continues. “We are required to play all of the opponents in our district (Lee, First Coast, Fletcher, Atlantic Coast, Fleming), but have used all our other free opportunities to chase the best our state has to offer.”
The school will return to Kissimmee as well as host it’s own star-studded event nexst month, the coach says.
“We will once again head down for the Kissimmee Klassic as well as host our Tournament of Champions for the second year.”
That tournament will be held from March 21-23 and will include several powerhouse teams including:
- West Orange
2018 State Runner Up in 9A, 2017 State Champions, 2018 player of the year - Oakleaf
2018 State Runner Up at 8A, 2017 State Champions, 2018 pitcher of the year 8A - Gainesville
2018 Elite 8 in 7A, 2016 State Champions - Clay
2018 Final Four in 6A - Keystone
2018 5A Final Four - West Nassau
2018 5A State 2nd place finish - Lake Wales
2018 6A Final Four -
Trinity
2018 4A State 2nd place finish, 2017 Final Four
The Knights look good already, compiling a 3-0 record out of the gate despite losing six talented seniors from last year’s squad who have all moved on to play collegiately.
“We had some young depth who will get their chance to shine this year,” Coach Thompson says optimistically. “I anticipate a tough year schedule wise, but I think we are primed to have a great season!”
She says the pitching is strong with the return of two talented seniors who are both college-bound:
- Madi Davis, Sr. (Central Florida)
A three-time 1st team All-State pick and the 8A Pitcher of the Year in 2018, she was also a 1st Team Extra Inning Softball All-American after going 18-2 with 1.06 ERA in the third toughest schedule in the state among all classes. - Cambria Arturo, Sr. (Jacksonville)
A 2018 1st team All-State pick after being 2nd team All-State in 2017, she went 9-1 with a 0.875 ERA
Here is the rest of the team who the Knights’ head coach says will be impact players:
- Katie Kistler, Jr. (Florida)
Played centerfield last year and was the leadoff hitter. Batted .435 with 24 steals, 30 runs scored and 14 doubles to earn 1st Team All-State for the second year in a row. -
Baylee Goddard, Sr. (Florida)
Played third base last season, hit .346 with 16 steals, a team-best 16 doubles and 15 RBI. She’s a three-time 1st Team All-State honoree. - Kaylee Lambrecht, Jr. (North Carolina State)
As a 1st Team All-State shortstop in 2018 hit .339 and tied for the team lead with 26 RBI while stealing 17 bases. - Aspen Windesheim, Jr. (uncommitted)
Played first base and hit .322 to earn 2nd Team All-State honors. - Jaycie Brookshire, Jr. (Pensacola State)
Split between first base and DP last year but is expected to have a much bigger hitting role this year after hitting .290 in 2018. - Jazmine Lamug, Sr. (Northwest Florida State College)
Described by Coach Thompsons as a “true utility player,” she hit an even .300 last season as a junior. -
Caitlynne Lamug, Sr. (Northwest Florida State College)
A mirror image of her twin sister “in looks and ability,” per the siblings’ coach, she batted .279 last year.
One new addition to the Knights team who is expected to make an impact is a transfer from out-of-state:
- Jaeda McFarland, Jr. (Louisiana Tech)
From a military family, Coach Thompson says, “This kid is phenomenal—she’s lightning fast, can hit for power and is dynamic in the outfield. Jaeda will be an immediate starter for us!”
Thompson, who became the school’s Assistant Principal last October, was selected as the Florida High School Softball Coach of the Year in 2017 and has battled a rain delay and sickness this week, but still has her team looking ready to go all the way in 2019.
Here’s a Q&A we did with Coach Thompson this week as she and her team got going full speed into the season…
