Madison County didn’t just punch its ticket to the state semifinals — the Cowgirls earned it the hard way.
Facing one of the state’s top arms in Florida State commit Harleigh Price, Madison County managed just two hits and struck out 20 times, yet capitalized on limited opportunities to edge Branford 3-2 on a walk-off wild pitch in the Class Rural regional final.
The result headlined a night of tight finishes and standout performances across Big Bend.
Ryleigh Bass races home for Madison County’s walk-off victory
Despite being overmatched at the plate, Madison County found ways to manufacture runs.
The Cowgirls opened the scoring when Logan Bass drew a bases-loaded walk. Branford tied the game in the fourth and briefly took the lead in the eighth before Anna Kayte Smith delivered an RBI double to even things again.
In the bottom of the ninth, a wild pitch from Price allowed Ryleigh Bass to race home with the winning run, sending the Cowgirls to Fort Myers to face No. 1 Trenton — the programs’ first final four meeting since 2018.
Chiles walks it off behind Lilly Trumbower
Chiles matched Madison County’s late-game heroics, rallying past Middleburg 3-2 in the Class 5A regional semifinals decided in the final at-bat.
The Timberwolves jumped out early with solo home runs from Anna Kate Barber and Benny Powell, holding that lead until Middleburg tied the game in the seventh.
Freshman Lilly Trumbower delivered the difference, lining a walk-off single to send Chiles to a regional finals matchup with top-seeded Niceville.
Barber earned the win in the circle, striking out six while allowing two runs.
St. John Paul II rides big inning past North Florida Christian
St. John Paul II flipped the script from its previous meeting with North Florida Christian, using a nine-run second inning to power an 11-7 win in the Class 1A regional semifinals.
Lannell Louis sparked the outburst with a two-run homer, while Shavon Stewart added a home run and three RBI.
The Eagles answered with a six-run fourth inning, but couldn’t complete the comeback. The Panthers advance to face University Christian, while NFC closes its season at 19-6.
Jayci Mapes dominates as Wakulla advances
Jayci Mapes delivered an all-around performance to lead Wakulla past Yulee 4-1 in Class 3A regional semifinal action.
The junior accounted for all four runs with four RBIs at the plate and dominated in the circle, striking out 12 while allowing just two hits in a complete-game effort.
Mapes improved to 13-0 as Wakulla moves on to face Paxson School of Advanced Studies.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Madison County, Chiles win thrillers to advance in FSHAA playoffs
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
