Some of the state’s top softball teams and individual talent will converge in Kissimmee next week for the 34th Annual Roger Jones Kissimmee Klassic at the Fortune Road Softball Complex, April 2-4.
The tournament again features 32 teams competing in Blue and Gold brackets. Eight of the 16 Blue teams are currently ranked in the top 40 in the state across all classifications, including three in the top 10. That includes Parrish Community (5-0), ranked No. 1 overall in the state by MaxPreps and 38th nationally. Other top 10 Florida teams include #5 Bartow and #8 Hagerty. The Blue Bracket also includes #25 Somerset, #36 Eau Gallie, #29 IMG Academy, #12 Doral, #17 Melbourne and #48 Coral Reef. Montverde, which is not a member of the FHSAA this year, will bring a #17 national ranking into the tournament.
Blue Bracket action gets underway at 2 p.m. Thursday with Parrish meeting Miami’s Coral Reef (7-4) and Doral Academy (7-1), who finished last season as top ranked overall team in the state.
St. Cloud (7-4), led by Addison Felblinger (.303 BA, 5-0, 2.04 ERA) and sophomore Maddy Reyes (.444 BA), will participate in the Blue Bracket and play at 6 p.m. Friday on Field 2. The Bulldogs, participating in the Gold Bracket a season ago, finished as tournament runners-up.
The Gold Bracket also features some outstanding teams like13th ranked Florida Christian (10-0), 20th ranked East Ridge (10-1); as well as Pine Charter (40th), Lake Wales (42nd), West Nassau (#66) and Astronaut (91st).
Action in the Gold Bracket gets underway at 2 p.m. Thursday with Pine Charter (72) taking on Merritt Island (4-6) and Lake Wales (9-2) facing off against Palatka (7-3).
Host Osceola (5-5), led by junior sisters Destiny (.483) and Faith (.423) Ferrer and Tenley Dawson (.514) will open play in the Gold Bracket at 6 p.m. Thursday on Field 4 against Okeechobee (6-5).
The tournament, named after co-founder and longtime director Roger Jones who passed away in 2018, also features some of the state’s top individual talent. According to Rivals, four of the top seven recruits in the state are in the field, including the top overall rated Floridian and # 4 in the nation, Doral infielder Annie Abdullah (a Texas Commit), #2 Luna Taboas (Monteverde, INF, Georgia), #4 Missy Odom (Monteverde, P, Florida State) and #7 Addison Poe Monteverde, OF, UCF).
“Once again the Roger Jones Kissimmee Klassic will feature the best in Florida High School softball,” OHS Coach Miranda Watford said. “More than 500 high schools play softball in this state and four of the top 10 will be here next week. The overall field is stacked with outstanding players and talent.”
Tickets to the tournament are $40 for an all-tournament, all-week pass or $15 for a oneday pass. They can be purchased at the gate or in advance at www.hometownticketing.com. Complete brackets and Friday/ Saturday schedules can be found on the Roger Jones Kissimmee Klassic Facebook page.
