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For the second time in three years, Pace softball reigns atop 6A.
The Patriots beat Bartow 3-1 on May 23 at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood to win the program's third state title in school history.
Pace previously won state championships in 2007 and 2024, beating the Yellow Jackets in the latter. The Patriots were playing in their fourth straight state championship game and have alternated losses and wins in each appearance.
Pace lost to Bartow in 2023 before beating the Yellow Jackets in 2024, then lost to Doral Academy 1-0 in 2025.
The Patriots scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the first. Britten Kettler smacked a bases-loaded two-run double off the center field wall, then Haley Olivet followed with a sacrifice bunt, with Kylie Reed beating the throw home.
That was enough for junior ace Hannah DeMarcus, who battled all day to keep the Bartow offense in check. DeMarcus allowed an unearned run on six hits, four walks and five strikeouts. She stranded the bases loaded in the fifth and the sixth, then two more runners in the top of the seventh.
The Yellow Jackets lone run came when Alyssa Hillman walked with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth. They brought the winning run to the plate in the top of the seventh with two outs, but DeMarcus fielded a groundball and tossed to Kettler at first base to seal a state championship.
Pace will graduate four starters, notably Pierce and Ashley Pickard, but will return five, including DeMarcus in the circle, which means the Patriots will be in contention for another state title in 2027.
Check back with this story for updates.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pace softball wins 6A state championship
Continue reading...
The Patriots beat Bartow 3-1 on May 23 at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood to win the program's third state title in school history.
Pace previously won state championships in 2007 and 2024, beating the Yellow Jackets in the latter. The Patriots were playing in their fourth straight state championship game and have alternated losses and wins in each appearance.
Pace lost to Bartow in 2023 before beating the Yellow Jackets in 2024, then lost to Doral Academy 1-0 in 2025.
The Patriots scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the first. Britten Kettler smacked a bases-loaded two-run double off the center field wall, then Haley Olivet followed with a sacrifice bunt, with Kylie Reed beating the throw home.
That was enough for junior ace Hannah DeMarcus, who battled all day to keep the Bartow offense in check. DeMarcus allowed an unearned run on six hits, four walks and five strikeouts. She stranded the bases loaded in the fifth and the sixth, then two more runners in the top of the seventh.
The Yellow Jackets lone run came when Alyssa Hillman walked with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth. They brought the winning run to the plate in the top of the seventh with two outs, but DeMarcus fielded a groundball and tossed to Kettler at first base to seal a state championship.
Pace will graduate four starters, notably Pierce and Ashley Pickard, but will return five, including DeMarcus in the circle, which means the Patriots will be in contention for another state title in 2027.
Check back with this story for updates.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pace softball wins 6A state championship
Continue reading...
