ORANGE PARK - Call it an "almost" walk-off winner, but Fleming Island's girl's softball team withstood a seventh-inning hitting rally by Orange Park; one that included bases loaded situation with just one out that was followed by a towering three-run triple by Raider basher Zoe Pascoe to score a 6-2 Eagles lead to a knucklebiter 6-5 lead with one baserunner and one out remaining.

Fortunately, with Fleming Island pitcher Brooke Wilson whiffing seven batters while allowing just five hits; three in the seventh, the Golden Eagles' defensive front was impressive with a diving double play by Fleming Island shortstop Lauren Abram on a grounder by Orange Park's McKenna Bejarano with a man on base in the sixth inning.
Fleming Island tagged Bejarano on the mound early with a double by Jolee Rich scoring two runs in the first inning.
Orange Park would tie the game at 2-2 from an error off a bunt, but Rich hit her second double in the ensuing third inning to retake the lead and B Wilson singled Rich in. Abrams added to the surge with a double to score the game 4-2. Abrams would bash her second double for two more runs in the fourth to push the game to 6-2.
Fleming Island, which had two crushing wins; 22-5 and 17-7 over St. Augustine and Bartram Trail after a walk-off 3-2 loss to Ridgeview last week, improves to 8-3 with games against Creekside, Flagler Palm Coast and Beachside upcoming.
Middleburg is still the hot team in the area at 10-1 after a homer-fest by KK Hagan hanging a 14-3 win over Clay as the Broncos rolled out wins of 5-0, 16-2, 10-0 and 14-3 after a tough 6-3 loss to unbeaten Baldwin.
Middleburg is getting massive runs from the hitting trio of Alyssa Prather, Hagan and Kerra Clarida who now has seven homers; one a grand slam against Ridgeview with also a solo blast in that 10-0 win.
Against Clay a day later, Hagan went yard twice with Prather adding a third for the night in that 14-3 win.
Middleburg raises the stakes with upcoming games against 7A- (8-3), 5A-Columbia (4-6), 7A-Creekside (11-1) and 2A-Providence (4-4).
A major showdown with an equally stingy Oakleaf team (8-4) who is on a three-game win streak with a tough 1-0 win over Ridgeview in their own Tournament of Champions over Spring Break.
Ridgeview is 5-7 with unbeaten Baldwin visiting on April 2.
Clay is 2-11 with a recent 3-1 loss to Providence and has Orange Park and a trip to Wakulla on Friday.
Keystone Heights got a big bats explosion; three doubles from senior Abbie Roach, in a 12-4 win over Bradford in anticipation of a Tuesday game at Oakleaf. Pitcher Caitlin Frampton struck out seven batters against Bradford.
Keystone Heights has an upcoming slate of games with Oakleaf, Baker County, Ridgeview and Fleming Island.
St. Johns Country Day School is 5-3 with a 22-12 win over St. Joseph Academy on March 21 with a homer by Gabi Oceguera and 10 hits getting 12 RBIs for the Spartans.