When Hannah DeMarcus took over as the starting pitcher of the Pace Patriot softball team this season, she filled a role once held by Jayden Heavener, the nation’s best player in 2024.


Now that the season is complete, DeMarcus, who is only a sophomore, is the nation’s best in the sport.

Shelby McKenize made the most of her opportunities as a freshman softball player at Florida State.


In 38 games, including 15 as a starter, the Pace grad came through with 23 hits, including six for extra bases.

Former Pace baseball standout Broc Parmer is experiencing life in the NCAA tournament this year with the Texas-San Antonio baseball team.


Parmer and the Roadrunners claimed a regional crown the last weekend of May as they knocked off nationally ranked Texas twice to punch a ticket to a Super Regional against UCLA in Los Angeles.

Former Pace softball star Jayden Heavener has been named a freshman All-American by D1softball.com.


Heavener, a second team pick, had a stellar first season at LSU, fashioning a 13-5 record in 25 appearances for the Tigers.

Two former area softball players are now national champions at the college level.


Pace alum Mallory Baker and Milton grad Lulu Luedtke were part of Northwest Florida State’s run to its first NJCAA championship in program history.

Pace’s softball team returned to the state tournament for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, reaching the championship game for the third year in a row.

Lana Gonzales and her Pace teammates stood in the outfield here in Longwood late Saturday afternoon sharing long embraces. They fought back tears the best that they could as they listened to the coaches talk.


Losing a state championship game is never an easy thing to digest. Losing it when the only run scored was off a bases-loaded walk makes it hurt even more.

Pace’s softball team will play for back-to-back state championships today in Longwood.


The Patriots take on Doral Academy at 2 p.m. EST at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in a battle of the top two teams in the state.

Abby McLean missed graduation practice on Friday because she was at the FHSAA 6A state softball final four in Longwood. No big deal.


She wouldn’t trade delivering the biggest hit of the day for anything. Her two-run double proved to be the difference in a 2-0 semifinal victory over Parrish Community that sends the Patriots to the state title game for the third consecutive year.

The Pace Patriots take aim at continuing their quest for a repeat as 6A state champions when they face Parrish Community today at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.


Game time is Noon EST. Pace comes in at 23-3 and ranked second in the state in 6A. Parrish is No. 3 and is 26-3.