Makenzie Reynolds has one thing on her mind.
It’s not the softball rankings, not the stats or awards she’s racked up this season, nor all the wins in the team’s record.
With the FHSAA Class 7A regional tournament starting May 11 and her Steinbrenner Warriors hosting Lakewood Ranch (16-10), the one thing on Reynolds mind is getting deeper in the postseason than ever before.
Perhaps all the way to the state tournament at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont.
“Last year, we did lose a couple of our girls who were a big part of this team, but thankfully we picked it up and didn’t miss a step,” said Reynolds, a senior, who plays shortstop and is the team’s captain.
“We finally want to make it deeper in regionals. There’s always going to be some pressure, but, honestly, I love our team, and if we all play well together, I think that’s what’s going to do it for us,” added the University of Tampa signee.
However, just like last season, the Warriors (18-7-1) saw an early exit from the Class 7A-District 7 tournament, with rival Plant taking home the title on May 3.
This didn’t deter Steinbrenner, as rankings and strength of schedule still got the team into the regional tournament.
But Reynolds knows it will take just as much, if not more, team effort to extend this year’s postseason run.
“I think if we stay up in the dugout, and everyone has a good attitude, and we play together as a team, I think we’ll go far,” Reynolds said. “Honestly, it’s just mainly playing as a team, which we know we’re capable of, and keeping up throughout the game and not let the small things get us down.”
Second-year coach Jason Gordon agrees, adding the team’s experience will play a role.
“They know my expectations and they’re proven leaders and winners,” Gordon said. “They know how to come out and win, so that makes my job as a coach a lot easier.”
Also making it easier will be the Warriors top leader, Reynolds, who was named The Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) District 15 Class 7A Player of the Year on April 30 thanks to leading her team with a .418 average, 41 hits, 29 runs, seven doubles, six triples, a homer, 15 RBI and nine stolen bases.
“She’s had a great year,” Gordon said. “Since Day 1, she’s been working hard, and leading the team in doubles and triples is no easy feat — she’s our leader out there at shortstop because she goes 110% all the time.
“She’s a coach’s dream and the kind of player you wish you had a whole team of — University of Tampa is getting a steal of a player.”
Reynolds added: “It feels good to be recognized, yeah, and it’s surprising, but I’m really thinking about playing deep into the postseason this year since it’s my final year.”
Junior Lily Holtje also is contributing on offense, with team highs in RBI (28) and homers (8), while senior Paige Bergen, has 23 RBI on 33 hits.
On the mound, freshman pitcher Lilly Patton had a breakout year, going 10-3 over 104 innings pitched, with a 2.68 ERA and 97 strikeouts.
Gordon knows it’ll take a team effort to finally push past the early regional rounds, but adds there’s extra motivation. The Warriors, all season, have felt slightly disrespected in the rankings, especially since district rival, Plant, has consistently been ranked ahead of them.
This is the same Panthers team Steinbrenner defeated twice this season: 5-2 on Feb. 23 and 3-2 on March 23.
“It’s definitely extra motivation, especially with them being in our district,” Gordon said. “We go out and beat them twice, but (we) feel we should be right there with them — and we might still have to beat them again at some point.”
“So, as long as we beat them again,” Reynolds added, “that’s fine with me where we’re ranked.
“We all play the same game, the same sport — I can’t or we can’t control that, so we’ll just go out and play and hopefully win and finally get those wins in the postseason when they matter.”
Softball regional quarterfinal games
Classes 2A-4A, May 10
Classes 5A-7A, May 11
Class 7A
No. 5 Lakewood Ranch at No. 4 Steinbrenner
Class 6A
No. 4 Charlotte at No. 5 Land O’ Lakes
No. 2 Sickles at No. 7 Gaither
No. 3 Bloomingdale at No. 6 Wiregrass Ranch
Class 5A
No. 2 Wesley Chapel at No. 7 Pasco
Class 2A
No. 4 Geneva at No. 5 Academy at the Lakes
*All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.
Baseball regional quarterfinal games
Classes 2A-5A, May 9
Classes 6A/7A, May 10
Class 6A
No. 5 Wiregrass Ranch at No. 4 Land O’ Lakes
No. 6 Palmetto Ridge at No. 3 Gaither
Class 5A
No. 7 Zephyrhills at No. 2 Sebring
No. 6 Seabreeze at No. 3 Wesley Chapel
Class 2A
No. 3 Orangewood Christian at No. 6 Bishop McLaughlin
No. 7 Carrollwood Day at No. 2 Northside Christian
*All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.
Published May 10, 2023
